The Reporter & The "Sorry" Politician

Extract of transcript of council president Datuk Abu Bakar Hassan’s press conference (source) + comments by me (J).

Q: Dr Teng (state Local Government committee chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan) has said that you denied making the remark.
A: There is a misunderstanding. I have said in the press release that I apologise if my remark had hurt anyone’s feelings, including Melissa (New Straits Times reporter Melissa Darlyne Chow). I openly apologise.
J: wow, this guy apologise. Amazing. But what's that misunderstanding? Where got misunderstanding? You said something stupid, everyone is clear on that.

Q: Can you explain why the misunderstanding occurred? We had asked you whether you thought the reporter was sexily ...?
A: Reply: No ... no ... no. I have explained (in the press release) that it is a misunderstanding ... that is all.

Q: Do you think all the reporters (at the function) quoted you wrongly? We confirmed the remark with you twice.
J: This reporter is good!! Respect!!
A: I was talking about the dress code. I said (newsmen) must not wear sexy dresses (to cover council meetings) ... please do not relate this remark to the CCTV incident. I did not say because she was sexy, the incident occurred. I did not mean that.

Q: That day you said “being sexy is the issue ... and then you said if she had worn a normal dress, this would not have happened. We all heard it.
J: and that was what i read....
A: My statement was misunderstood. I was only talking about the attire in general. Do not relate it to this case because it is unfair.


Do you think that's a sincere apology? He didn't apologize for making that statement. He apologized for the being misunderstood. Can reporters take that sitting down? He's apologizing for using words that are too deep that reporters cannot understand & misintepreted the statement. Hmm, is he saying that reporters are dumb?