vox populi small thumbnail ‘Tiong was forced to concede to MCA's wishes so that he could land the PKFZ job and milked the project dry as it is now. It’s all a case of ‘you scratch my back and I scratch yours’.’

On RM1 rental: Tiong feels 'conned' by MCA

True Malaysian: The whole deal stinks to high heaven. Guess this is how BN parties arm twist from cronies and businessmen to get great sums of money into their coffers (or is it pockets).

Given a choice under normal circumstances Tiong King Sing would have told MCA to go to hell as it is not even his party. Although he wants to sound noble by saying that he had allowed the deal to go through in order to help MCA in its pursuit to provide affordable education.

He was forced to concede to MCA's wishes so that he could land the PKFZ job and milked the project dry as it is now. It’s all a case of ‘you scratch my back and I scratch yours’. How else he could have amassed such great wealth. Check out Ling Liong Sik, and others in MCA - both past and present - on what they have for assets. You will know where all PKFZ money has gone.

Arasu: Was the Sabah TAR College deal signed during Ong Tee Keat's tenure or Ong Ka Ting's time? Why blame Tee Keat now for the matter? Address the issues in hand - PKFZ and the concerns on this matter, not bring in other things like tenancy agreement of 2007. Or was the tenancy agreement, part of the 'you scratch my back, I scratch yours' deal, liked with PKFZ?

Azman Zainuddin: Did MCA paid the RM1 rent?

Michael Lim: MCA went around seeking donations for TAR colleges. We donated generously as we want TAR to offer education to those who are denied or can’t afford entry to local university. So Mr OTK (Ong Tee Keat), with billions of dollars stash with MCA, what about spending some for the poor Chinese that can’t afford an education? Why do we beg the government year after year for scholarships for the Chinese?

Aramsawafer: When Pakatan Rakyat members quibble, they quibble over national interest. When Umno/MCA/BN member quarrel, they quarrel over monies. See the difference.

Nadin Ibrahim: Fund-raising activities and donations to political parties are normal. If the money given to MCA through Ong Tee Keat did not reach the party, MCA should demand OTK to clarify instead of being defensive.

Jefferson76:

MCA, SPDP - as long as you are still attached to BN you will be under the thumb of Umno, so forget about getting any votes, except from die-hard BN supporters. Nothing will change until BN is out. Both parties are just fooling themselves about their survival in peninsular Malaysia.

Ken: Ong, my advise to you - don't play hard ball with Tiong, he may have many more skeletons in his closet. If SPDP wants to expand to the Peninsular, that's his business. However Tiong should be aware that multi-racial parties have no place in Umno's race-based politics where races are pit against one another.

Gerakan and PPP are pseudo-multi-racial parties so they can survive in BN and PPP. Study the politics of the Peninsular first, Tiong. It's not like Sarawak where race takes a backseat and all the races live harmoniously because Umno isn't there.

Cheng Ooi:

A donation is a donation, not a bribe. This Sarawak guy is apparently giving with favours in return. Once he didn’t get it, cry foul. Shame on him. If I see him in public, I will definitely spit on him.

OxiDe:

It is very disappointing to note that these two gentlemen have tarnished image of BN. It calls for the immediate resignations of both from their respective posts which they are holding now. It’s time to move on with the tasks ahead in the modernisation of our country towards 2020.

The present government should focus their time and resources in improving the economy, instead of internal problems within components party. The PM has really a pain in the neck dealing with his subordinates. Finally, I quote the valued words of our former prime minister Hussein Onn , “I would rather do the right thing and be cursed than do the popular but wrong thing and be applauded.”

On 'Hindu temple relocation plan stays'

Louis: In a plural society like ours, we should learn to accommodate each others’ culture and religious belief. Islam is a very tolerant religion and preaches freedom of worship. On top of that, it preaches love for all mankind. Now that a Hindu temple is going to be relocated to Shah Alam, I see no reason why there should be a big protest.

If Muslims in Turkey can tolerate a church built just next to a mosque, why are we so different. On top of that, they even have synagogues for the Jews. I had also seen churches standing next to mosques during my last trip there. Both of those countries have overwhelming Muslim majority and yet no protest. Time that we learn from them.

Konga Koundar:

I'm always very proud of YB Khalid Samad. He's extremely reasonable, rational and practical. I appeal to Umno not to make every thing in Malaysia racial. Please grow up Umno. The world has changed. Have you?

Arasu: For Khalid Ibrahim, the residents hold the right to vote, “but have to realise that they must be reasonable to those of other religions”. Wise words by a wise person who acknowledges the need to provide for the non-Muslims as well.

He also knows that the temple existed first in its original site before the area slowly had a Muslim majority. The compromise is good. Relocate the temple to another area, and at least 200 meters away from the nearest Muslim residence.

In Malacca, the people of the 18th and 19th century had no problem. Along one road, is a Hindu temple, a mosque and a Chinese temple - within a 100 meters distance. Funny - how the population of the yesteryears could manage such things so much better than the current types that seem to fight for their own ethnic and religious preferences only.

And we want to showcase Malaysia as multi-racial and multi-ethnic? Ng Yen Yen is having a tough time (now she is in India) and imagine if the media there were to ask her on this?

A selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers.