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Would Ling be in the dock if he was Umno chief?
Published:  Jul 30, 2010 7:39 AM
Updated: Jul 31, 2010 5:13 AM

your say 'There are many BN/Umno leaders also linked to this scandal of epic proportions. The hidden hand will do the necessary to make sure Ling is found not guilty.’

PKFZ scandal: Ex-transport minister Ling charged

Sarawakian:

Let's hope that it's only the start. Ling Liong Sik cannot be acting alone. Alleged corruption of this proportion which was well-planned right from the time the idea was mooted is the work of a team of crooks and cronies, all playing their parts like a well-rehearsed Chinese opera. Didn't we all question how his teenage son became a billionaire overnight? Well, you got the answer now.

He should not only be charged but if found guilty, must be made to return his ill-gotten wealth to the rakyat. My question is this, would he be charged if he was an Umno man?

Pencen: Do not ever believe this ‘sandiwara’. Ling Liong Sik is only part of this ‘sandiwara’ to fool the ‘rakyat’. We will only believe that the BN government is really serious in fighting corruption when we see the likes of the Sarawak white-haired chief minister gets charged in court and sent to jail.

No defence of his can get him free, but that is if the government is serious. And also the dentist former MB of Selangor, just to name one. Go on BN, make a fool of the ‘rakyat’. After all, the 13th general election is coming ever closer by the day.

Kgen: Not for a moment do I fall for this ‘sandiwara’. Remember Eric Chia of Perwaja Steel? Ling’s trial will be dragged out until after the 13th general election and if BN wins, Ling will be acquitted for lack of evidence. No need to be prescient to know the ending of this Bolehwood production.

YF: I almost fell off the chair laughing. This is, as usual, another ‘Drama Minggu Ini’ episode. If Ling Liong Sik was the issue, then why did it take so many other transport ministers to realise this ‘error’?

The reason is because someone who is currently in power is responsible for this and he is running around scot-free. Like a ‘Drama Minggu Ini’ episode, they used the same old script over and over again and the same is happening here. Really boring.

Anonymous: Now we see a VVIP being charged. Will he too be acquitted like other VVIPs? We will wait to hear the decision of the court. Will there be justice? I hope this is not another ‘wayang’. Ling doesn't appear worried.

Tired:

When nobody is charged, you complain and level all sorts of accusations. When somebody is charged, you still complain and out come another plethora of accusations. How lah? It is so difficult to please you people. Forever complaining and unhappy.

Freemsia: We will see what happens. I mean, no way can anyone touch Ling Liong Sik. He can buy his way out easily. This guy is rich. There are many BN/Umno leaders also linked to this scandal of epic proportions. The hidden hand will do the necessary to make sure Ling is found not guilty.

DOC: I’m hoping Tun Ling’s acquittal will set a new record for the Malaysian Book of Records for the fastest trial. Seriously, does anyone really believe that Ling is going to spend time behind bars?

I guess Umno is hoping this ‘sandiwara’ will appease the Chinese community to show that they are serious about cleaning up the PKFZ mess. Fat chance that's going to happen.

Artchan:

‘Not guilty’. If the courts find him guilty, he will spill the beans on the background players. Such a massive con job cannot be done with so few players. And Ling will keep quiet if he goes free.

Lim Yee Khei:

So Ling Liong Sik is the sacrificial lamb to deflect the near unanimous condemnation all around over the decision to pay off the bondholders/cronies. Notice the almost perfect timing. Most likely the attorney-general will mess the case up during the hearing and Ling gets off scot-free or at worst, be slapped with a mild sentence upon conviction.

Let's not be fooled by this desperate act by these plunderers of the nation's wealth and deliver the tightest slap to them in 13th general election.

Yuvan: Is the BN government, in its desperation to gain the trust of the people, sending a strong signal that it is willing to 'sacrifice' some ex-party leaders and politicians, even those with the 'Tun' title?

KJJohn: Let Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak start by charging Mohd Khir Toyo for the massive RM24 million mansion in Shah Alam, literally one ‘which can be seen from the moon’.

I wait to see a prominent Umno serving minister charged, then I believe they are serious!

Ericlcc: For heaven’s sake, do you think for one second they are serious... hell no. We have been through this road before and surely we also know where it will all end - in the national archives. No case.

It's a show, albeit like an advertisement interjected in between to give BN some credible breathing space. I am sure Ling Liong Sik did learn from the best in this trade (you know who, need I elaborate?) by keeping documents and notes in his personal drawer just in case of a ‘rainy day’ like now.

Abil: Why only Ling Liong Sik, what about the others like Mohd Khir Toyo and S Samy Vellu. Charge all alleged wrongdoers and not be selective. What about those involved in the submarine deal?

Nik V: Someone like Ling Liong Sik couldn't have acted alone. What is worst is he will probably protect the dominoes from falling further in order to 'negotiate' a lesser, or extremely delayed, sentence.

Right now, he is the fall guy. Do the right thing for the first time in your life, Liong Sik. It is never too late to be a hero and be remembered as the man who helped change Malaysia by not taking the deal.

Singa Pura Pura: Innocent until proven guilty. However, as the situation now stands, and for the purpose of the next general election and the credibility of Najib Razak’s new 1Malaysia, a conviction and a substantial sentence would show that BN is serious about fighting corruption. An acquittal or a showcase-conviction with a slap-on-the-wrist sentence would show that BN is still very much a part of the BN government’s old machinery of corruption and deceit.

Quite apart from whether the man is innocent or guilty of the offences with which he has been charged, the ultimate question is: Is this going to be the Greatest Show on Earth, better than the 1952 version starring Charlton Heston? No doubt it will be the most expensive one at RM12.5 billion.

1Malaysia: I salute the Najib government for having the guts to do what the previous governments will not do. Abdullah Badawi had Eric Chia and Kasitah Gaddam charged and BN got the record mandate in GE11.

Now, for landing a bigger fish, BN will be rewarded with an even higher mandate than the previous record. Pakatan Rakyat can get ready to pack their bags in GE13. Keep it up BN. We will support you.

Terus: Let’s hope that this is a new beginning for Najib. Let’s pray that more will face the music especially those ‘big shots’ from Umno and MIC. Irrespective of whether it is sandiwara or showmanship, the fact that leaders past and present who are seen to be unclean must have their time in court.

We just have to trust the due process of law and the courts to bring justice for all. If not, what else can Malaysians hope?

TKC: Bravo! Clap, clap, clap. Hope there is more to come. To achieve maximum impact, how about going after the granddaddy of them all? Can always start with the VK Lingam case, no?

Rubystar:

Hey, where are the handcuffs? Just because Ling Liong Sik is/was a bigshot, does not mean that he should not have been handcuffed. Other people accused of minor offences were charged in court and have been handcuffed and their photos plastered over the papers.

The men in blue should not differentiate between anybody being charged in court. Anyway, Ling must have some hold over the Umno warlords to plea bargain his way out. I really cannot see him in jail at 67 and with so many years as a prolific politician.

Carl: Now the big guns will also think twice. Ling will be or won't be cleared only in a court of law, not in the court of public opinion. This is not his first brush with scandal. Some years ago, his son was accused by Soh Chee Wen. Let’s all be optimistic; that by the time there is a new administration in Putrajaya , things will be boiling.

Lim Chong Leong:

I heard they are remaking ‘Gone with the Wind’ again. Same old story, different actors. Remember the first one starred Eric Chia. Now Ling.

Passing Cloud: Let the government prove its sincerity before we trust it again. And what about other allegedly corrupt top leaders from the BN component parties: Umno, MIC and others? Aren’t they also going to be charged soon?


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