'Make a police report against all those who have hurled the false accusations against you and challenge the authorities to investigate.'

Rais Yatim denies raping Indonesian maid

Tiga Abdul: Normally, if one is an employee with a big corporation and one is accused of some naughty things, e.g. bribery, one is usually asked to take long leave until the investigation and the court case is over.

For some serious offences, one may be even fired. The purpose is to ensure a fair and without fear investigation can be carried out. Sime Darby is a classic on-going case, and all the accused are being referred to as ex-staff of Sime Darby.

Is Rais Yatim prepared to do the same for the sake of justice since he personally welcomes an investigation?

Rames: Bloggers should be disciplined, they cannot have a blank cheque to say anything they like. As an anak jantan (man), Rais must make a police report against all those who have hurled the false accusations against him.

He should report and sue the blogsite in Sabah which named him and even published a photo of the supposed victim. Rais should also make a police report against the PAS and others for making a false report in Kuala Klawang, since he says that the accusations has no foundation.

Please make a police report against the false accusations, step down for a while and challenge the authorities to investigate without your post being in the way of investigations, like they do in Britain.

Cala: Rais denies having anything to do with the purported rape, not refuting it. The difference lies in his mental make-up as he assesses the action (or no action). The former is more passive in nature, while the latter is a form of assertion, showing that the actor-agent is capable of independently rationalising his thoughts and his actions.

As an example, one can simply deny without giving much thought about the issue. To refute, however, one has to produce evidence and claim, say, he was not in the country at the time of the incident, or something related to physical incapacity.

Anonymous3ec6: The Malaysian government must first ensure the victim is given personal assurance of protection before she can testify in this case, or else she will be C4ed, too. Let the Indonesian embassy provide protection to her, as we cannot trust our police to do so.

Anonymous_417c: Finally after weeks of planning, discussions, advice from "other birds of a feather", Rais has emerged with a carefully scripted denial with only a weak attempt to blame dirty politics as the reason for this accusation of rape of a person under his responsibility.

Resign my friend, even if you are innocent, as the perception of you now is horrendous, and let your friendly authorities attempt to clear your name. We should not have accused criminals in the cabinet.

Fly Emirates: My suggestion to Rais Yatim is to undergo a series of polygraph tests supervised by examiners who are accredited with the American Polygraph Association and the International League of Polygraph Examiners.

If I were in your shoes, I would gladly subject myself to a polygraph test in public to refute the allegations against me.

Soapbox40a0: Rais, just invite the maid back and give a joint press conference. After all, she washed your dirty linen in private for seven to eight years. Now, if you were so kind to her, she would either happily clear your name or damn you.

Gerard Samuel Vijayan: If Rais is telling the truth, why not take a leave of absence from the cabinet and ask the police and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate the matter impartially and independently with the assistance of the Indonesian authorities?

The victim is in Indonesia, let the police from both countries take statements from her in the presence of her legal advisers.

Rais' sudden decision to drop out of the race for the Commonwealth secretary-general's post in 2007 (about the same time as the alleged incident) when he already had the votes of many African, Asian and Oceanic countries in the bag aroused suspicions then to the point that even the cabinet was shocked at his surprise U-turn.

So, let all these allegations be investigated fully.

Ahkutan: If something like that happen to Pakatan Rakyat MPs, all newspapers will run it on their front pages no matter whether the news is real or false.

Rape allegation: 'Clear your name, minister'

Pure Malaysian: During the Nirmala Bonat's abuse case, everyone including ministers, condemned the act of her employer, and justice prevailed for Nirmala. But when it comes to this high-profile alleged rape case, although also affecting an Indonesian maid, everything seems so quiet, and virtually nothing is done.

Concerned Citizen 1e05: No person is guilty until proven. But if proven guilty, not only must the minister resign, but he must face the full force of the law.

I do not however think the governments of Malaysia and Indonesia should allow this alleged despicable act by an individual (though a minister) to affect the relationship. Many quarters will try but the governments must remain steadfast.

Anonymous_408d: If PM Najib Razak continues to take a cowardly silent back seat to this explosive issue, he is sealing his fate in the next general elections. This is the one time he can do something to redeem something of his honour as a PM - stop protecting those who behave like criminals.

Anything less, and the people know what to do.

MB: Royal aide's statement a personal opinion

Ghkok: MB Khalid Ibrahiam has given us a clear account of his meeting with the Selangor sultan, and this is well accepted by the people of Selangor. Now, the sultan's private secretary Mohd Munir Bani has issued a statement that is obviously contradictory to MB Khalid's account.

On top of that, it contradicts the principles of constitutional monarchy. The people of Selangor calls on the state assembly to come together with urgency, and to pass a resolution to condemn the federal government's interference in the state administration and the assault on the dignity and sovereignty of the state of Selangor, and finally, to reject the federal government's appointment of the state secretary.

The voice of the people of Selangor must be expressed by the state assembly. This is what they are elected to do.

Anonymous_4031: One is the truth; and the other falsehood. Will the sultan clear the air? If there is any ambiguity concerning the state constitution, then the best solution is to call for an emergency meeting and make the necessary amendments so that the law is crystal clear.

Why is Pakatan taking its own sweet time to call one? Why waste time? Give the powers back to the sultan.

Gerard Samuel Vijayan: The PS (sultan's private secretary) should be impartial, objective and sensible in his statements. He is supposed to be the important link between the sultan and the government. His duty is to facilitate a smooth and working relationship between the palace and the secretariat so that the business of government can go on despite whatever differences that may arise between the sultan and the government.

It is an unwritten rule that whatever transpires during a private audience between the sultan and his MB remain private and confidential unless both parties agree to make a public statement.

The disagreement over the appointment of the SS (state secretary) should be resolved by the state government seeking a reference to the Federal Court to determine who makes the appointment; whether the sultan has a discretion over the matter and whether the MB needs to be consulted and his agreement obtained.

Until then the new SS should not be sworn in and be confined to desk duties at the secretariat.

Albert_37fb: If this is true, then indeed the sultan's private secretary Mohd Munir Bani has abused his position to issue the statement in the name of the sultan. The reputation of the sultan in the eyes of the rakyat may be tarnished. And it is incumbent on the sultan to issue him a show-cause letter asking Munir why actions (including possibly dismissal) should not be taken against him.

However, if it is not true, then all bets are off. In this situation, can we honestly say that the sultan is acting in the interests of the rakyat of Selangor? We have here a SS approved by the sultan, who is extremely capable of undermining the efforts and smooth operation of the Pakatan state government.

The sultan has to recognise that the Pakatan government is elected by and represents the interests of the rakyat of Selangor. Who would be ultimately responsible if the rakyat's welfare is compromised due to actions (including possible sabotage) taken by Mohd Khusrin Munawi?

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