‘For the academicians and scholars to condemn the videos as malicious, surely they will first have to investigate and determine if all those characters in the video are really who they claim to be.’

On Political agenda behind Rosmah videos

Ong: For academicians and scholars to condemn the videos as malicious without justifying why show that they are not fit to be classified as academicians and scholars.

In the video Mohd Arshad claims to be a relative of Rosmah, Induk Leha claims to be an aunt of Rosmah, ‘Datin Che Mah' claims to be a former neighbour of Rosmah, Rosmanuddin Mansor claims to be Rosmah's younger brother and Ikmal Hisham claims to be Che Mah's son.

The images of all the characters are clearly shown with no attempt at disguise. The video also claims that Rosmah tried to stop her daughter's marriage to one Dr Fazley Yaakob.

I have seen the videos but have got no idea if all those characters are really who they claim to be or are merely actors paid or who volunteered to act in a ‘malicious’ video.

I am sure almost everyone who has seen the video is in the same boat. Therefore, we are not in a position to pass judgment on the videos, whether favourable or otherwise.

For the academicians and scholars to condemn the videos as malicious, surely they will first have to investigate and determine if all those characters in the video are really who they claim to be.

If they are proven to be merely actors, whether paid or volunteers, professionals or amateurs, then only can they condemn the videos as ‘malicious’.

On the other hand if all those characters are actually who they claim to be in the videos, then the academicians and scholars will next have to investigate further and verify the veracity of their claims as shown in the videos.

If the academicians and scholars simply condemn the videos as ‘malicious’ merely because the stories in the video sound incredulous, or because they do not believe Rosmah is capable of being so nasty, then I say that those academicians and scholars bring shame to the academic world.

Political Observer: While it is obvious that such a video can only be politically motivated, it can also be done due to the frustration of people who were involved in Rosmah's early life, before she became the country's First Lady.

Her obsession to be the wife of the prime minister of Malaysia was known even within Umno. A few years ago, a fellow colleague of mine, an Umno strongman, alleged that Rosmah was not well-liked even within the party's rank and file.

Whether this is true or not is something yet to be seen but unless proven, our two political commentators from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, cannot assume that the videos are necessarily the work of the opposition.

The fact is that within Umno itself there are rival factions trying to outwit each other to grab political power so there is every reason to believe that this is the work of a political faction that is not aligned to Najib.

Some of the people who appeared in the video are in fact Umno ‘strong persons’ who are simply frustrated with Rosmah's behaviour which would have been strongly condemned within the Malay community anyway.

On Conversion laws: AG's briefing for Muslim MPs cancelled

Yum: What next?

Only MPs professing the Muslim faith can vote on those amendments, because, ostensibly, non- Muslims have no religious standing to comment on any Islamic matters?

Maybe we should have two parliaments, one for Islamic legislation, and another for the ‘lain-lain’?

And, maybe, two general elections?

On Lim gives PKR councillor Johari the boot

JTB:

What the chief minister did was correct and he did it decisively to remove the ring leader in boycotting the swearing in ceremony of the civil servant.

He was kind not to remove the rest and I think that is a concession to PKR, although I would think that he should remove the whole gang.

In the event this is the culture that PKR is introducing in not respecting the chief minister 's decision, I feel that they are sending a wrong message to the people of Sebrang Prai.

Instead of making a fool of themselves again, I suggest those who have issues with the chief minister learn how to resolve the matter behind closed doors and learn to agree to disagree.

So far Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has lived up to the ‘CAT principles’ that he has been advocating. PKR you should work with him and support his policies.

Boycotting is hardly a matured way of dealing with problems.

On Kit Siang: 'Pure merit' scholarship award has no merit

Baiyuensheng: The current system of 'meritocracy' in the annual intake of university students by two university entrance examinations is, in my opinion, meant to increase the Malay intake into the university.

It may be well-intended but it will always end up flawed and may even backfire. Increasing the intake and the number of Malay graduates means increasing the expectations that they will somehow get well- paid jobs after graduation.

Well, they could be in for a surprise when they find out how competitive it is in the real world. They may get disillusioned and ultimately 'blame' the government for their woes. Most will end up in the government sector.

As it is, our universities are not really top-notch and have already fallen far behind the universities in Singapore. In the end, graduates from Malaysia are almost worthless and meaningless.

The government should really look into this ‘meritocracy’ concept and create at least one top-notch university where the entrance is very much based on results and entrance tests standardised to ensure fairness.

Only top-notch professors and administrators should be allowed to run this outfit. Otherwise, the country eventually suffers due to a lack of competent human capital.

We should be way, way above Indonesia and the Philippines but are we really?.

On Land: What's legal not always just

Ong: Situations of ‘what's legal is not always just’ are not uncommon in Malaysia. Whose fault? In my opinion, Malaysian voters have themselves to blame. Why?

Because when it comes to choosing a government, they are irrational cowards who are scared of change and continuously vote in the same government on the rationale that they prefer the devil they know to the devil they do not know.

This is despite knowing that the devil they have been electing had continuously committed acts that are ‘legal but not just’.

Supposing Malaysians had been braver and were prepared to vote out any corrupt government at the very next opportunity, whether BN or PR, I doubt there would have been so many acts that are ‘legal but not just’.

The clearest proof of such irrational behavior is Sabah and Sarawak. They are the biggest complainants of being victims of marginalisation and injustice.

At the same time they seem proud to be the ‘fixed deposit’ of the regime that is marginalising them.

And now in states that have a change of government, the bunch of losers are demanding that the new government correct the injustices by committing ridiculous acts that are ‘illegal but just’.

I do not agree. Let the ‘legal but unjust’ acts remain as a reminder to all of us that when a government is corrupt and unjust, we kick that government out at the next election.

On Villagers pin last hopes on state gov't

Peter Ooi:

I simply cannot understand why Lim Guan Eng is so hesitant to use his power to caveat the land. At least the villagers can buy some extra time to negotiate for a better compensation.

And if they succeed in getting a better deal, the villagers would have no choice but to leave their homes.

As it is, I feel that they are not satisfied with what has been offered.

Maybe, with the intervention now by Lim’s deputy, the developers would accommodate most of their demands.

Yes, Lim, the fate of the villagers is in your hand. You have the power to right the wrong committed by the previous government.

On Only five judges to hear final appeal

Malaysian-Thru-And-Thru: Fellow Malaysians, I have only one reaction and comment to this episode - vote out the entire BN government at the next general election!

I hope all you justice-discerning citizens will be looking forward to that mother of all elections.

On MB vs MB: 2 written judgments available

RR: It appears that in this country , ‘honesty is the worst policy’ and this is adopted when the powes- that-be try to dictate the destiny of man.

God will ultimately deliver his verdict if not now, later or in the hereafter.