Coutinho criticizes gov’t ‘lack of communication skills’

Pereira Coutinho

Lawmaker Pereira Coutinho yesterday afternoon criticized the way the government communicates in sensitive cases, such as the recent case of the death of the director general of the Customs Service.
At the AL plenary Mr Coutinho said that the explanations of several political leaders, who promptly announced the alleged suicide of Lai Man Wa, were confused and carried different information, which contributed to the rumors about the case.
“The responsible person in charge of the official communication showed nervousness, lack of preparation and planning in their communication,” said the legislator.
“It was clear to all the fail in the perception of how the news broke, causing mistrust and subsequent discredit by the local and international media, and the general public; nobody believed in the explanation from the government,” he added.
The lawmaker explained that the fact that the authorities were too worried in presenting the suicide theory as a “fait accompli” also did not help. In his opinion the government officials’ initial statement “should be confined to express their pain and sympathy for the deceased and her family.” Mr Coutinho added that this lack in communication skills was also previously revealed when a Commission Against Corruption staff member was also involved in a case of unusual death, in “which the motives continue to be explained.” RM