'Johor can be a dangerous place, but Guan Eng has to learn that politics in Malaysia is equally dangerous so he does have to mind what he says.'

Penang CM apologises for Johor crime remark

Proarte: My advice to Penang CM Lim Guan Eng - don't drag it out. The fact that you apologised to the sultan is tacitly admitting that you did make negative comments about Johor's security.

If you did make those comments, just say they were 'misjudged' and were never intended to insult the Johorean people and that you apologise profusely and unconditionally and move on.

Sadly, you now have to make another humiliating apology if the tapes conclusively prove what you said. Please find the audio tapes quickly and do the necessary apology post haste. By prolonging the debacle, you are merely damaging your stature and the DAP.

Tkc: Bravo, LGE (Lim Guan Eng). It takes courage to say sorry especially if you are a politician. You might have lost a few points due to your overzealousness in trying to attract investments to Penang but I am sure you will gain back some lost points by admitting that you have erred.

On the positive note, you may be the first politician in recent memory who dares to apologise for your moment of indiscretion. Hopefully this will start a new trend in Malaysia where super dirty politics is a norm rather than an exception.

Tired: If you consider this an apology from LGE, then I am afraid we have to rewrite its meaning in the dictionary. The statement released by LGE is not an apology, far from it.

I see it as more of a statement of arrogance from someone who feels he is above everybody else, beyond reproach. Doesn't he know that one will appear stronger from a sincere, humble and down-to-earth apology?

On the excuse the meeting was private, I suppose LGE should not bill the state for his expenses in Singapore. In short, he should pay from his own pocket for his hotel, food, travelling expenses as he was there not in his capacity as Penang chief minister.

Chuath: Correct me if I am wrong, but I heard that a caddy was killed by a member of the royal family in Johor some time ago and no 'real' punishment was meted out and no apology was issued.

If it is true then I guess Johor can be a dangerous place, but Guan Eng has to learn that politics in Malaysia is equally dangerous so he does have to mind what he says because even if true, he would have a lot of explaining to do.

He could be worn out fighting such battles and lose the war in the end.

Passing Cloud: For Malaysian politicians, public and private talks can be twisted and used against them. More so, if they're from the opposition. You're no exception, Guan Eng.

So, think before you speak and don't be carried away. And by now, haven't you realised that those despicable, character-bankrupt Umno/BN politicians have been trying to instigate royalty and the Muslim followers against you and other opposition figures?

Fortunately, most target audience are right-thinking people although there are always some mentally-warped or mentally-sick ones in our midst who just accept whatever Umno/BN politicians and their underlings have concocted and twisted, "tanpa usul periksa". Just be cautious.

Docs: There we have it. A win-win situation. LGE stated a fact on the high crime rate in Umno-run Johor. Foreign investors would consider this point and may take their investment up north thus benefitting the Penangnites.

Meanwhile, LGE apologised to the Johor sultan and Umno is happy for using the sultan to ridicule LGE. The sultan gets some extra brownie points from Umno.

Changeagent: If the sultan is truly concerned for the welfare of his people, he should do all that is in his powers to lower Johor's crime rates.

One just needs to speak to local Johoreans or tourists to find out how dire the crime situation really is in the state.

Democrat: So, is DAP going to suspend LGE for this fiasco? Kota Alam Shah assemblyman M Manoharan also said sorry regards to the Malaysian flag issue but the party suspended him.

Manoharan also spoke the truth. So is it going to be one rule for the ‘Godfather' and another rule for the small-timers?

Rick Teo: I find it very offensive that we, Malaysians, cannot even comment on the bad state of affair in the state of Johor.

It is a well-known fact that the crime rate in Johor is very bad and if that is the truth why would such a comment by LGE be wrong?

The ruler should not come into the picture since it is an opinion of the state and does not reflect on the ruler. So what is he offended by?

When BN politicians comment badly on Penang or Selangor, it's alright. Why such double standards and why was Selangor sultan not offended by the BN statement?

Little Han2: It is all a sandiwara - a self-denial mode. If the crime rate in Johor is high, it is high whether or not Guan Eng said it or apologise. Just admit it. Why try to kill the messenger?

Teh: The hallmark of a true leader is to be able to apologise when a mistake has been made. No BN leader has even done it. But then again, BN has no true leaders, just loudmouths.

Tl: The problem is the crime rate - who is suppose to solve it?

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