I am shocked and utterly disgusted with the remarks made by the health minister in the vernacular press with regards to the high number deaths in the NS programme. I quote:

'Menteri Kesihatan, Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek berkata laporan mengenai kematian beberapa orang pelatih Program Latihan Khidmat Negara (PLKN) terlalu diperbesar-besarkan, sedangkan bilangan kematian dalam program itu adalah kecil berbanding dengan keadaan kematian biasa'.

How can a learned man like the hounourable minister utter such a statement? Must the NS 'death' toll be in proportion to the total number of trainees for real concern to be shown and appropriate action to be taken?

I am at a loss for words to comment on this shocking statement from him. Can't he, at least, empathise with the family of the dead trainee? If such a bereavement were to befall his family, how would he have reacted?

God help this country if such inhuman remarks could come from an elected representative of the people.