VOXPOP 'Umno can only change from its corrupt mind and soul when all its present leaders are changed.'

Allow leeway to criticise, Kadir tells Umno bosses

Justice Kini: In Umno, only the current leaders got all the say. It's clear Umno is in a real mess to the very core, with corruption, kickbacks, mega-projects in the billions of ringgit. Yet Umno is still sleeping.

Within Umno, many had taken corruption, kickbacks and land grabbing as a way of life. They have no fear of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) or the police.

If former ministers and veterans really stand up in full force, not playing saints and sinners at the same time, it will be one way for them to provide check and balance in the corrupt system.

Swkdayaks: Umno can only change from its corrupt mind and soul when all its present leaders from its president down to branch leaders, are changed. That requires Umno to first lose in the general election then start afresh.

Artchan: Umno Youth, in the old days, was the check and balance. The present-day Umno Youth is fighting for position and glamour. What has Khairy Jamaluddin done besides parroting the leadership?

Manjit Bhatia: Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir, sorry - I just can't stop laughing in your attempt to be serious and genuine in what you're proffering here.

It's as though I'd just switched over to the comedy channel. Is this your one-man stand-up act?

Zaid: PAS deputy chief offered me seat to contest

Cala: I am disappointed with my once idol Zaid Ibrahim after reading this article. He appears to me to be overly concerned about winning if he were to stand as a candidate for the next general election.

To my mind, I would have thought the most important consideration in the mind of any politician is the ideology one subscribes to before making a decision to join the competition, so to speak.

Associating with the ideology is a burning desire to serve the people, to change the world for the masses, and in the process, achieves what an average soul cannot possibly do as a private citizen.

Still, I have not lost hope totally in Zaid Ibrahim. I know for sure that deep inside him he is a fair person who fights for justice (see the compensation made to judges who suffered in the 1988 judicial crisis).

The only trouble about him is his personal conviction to a given cause. Will he remain steadfast? Is he, as always, malleable (sway with the wind)?

BujangSenang: Beware the party hoppers. Best to leave these political characters where they are; better still, drop them by the wayside.

Sadirah: Keep your eyes on your goals and do not be distracted by personalities. This is a common factor for good and for bad but if you are clear about your horizons and goals, we need in this country men of conscience who have the capacity to both look at themselves and inspire others.

Who does not make mistakes, but it is what we learn and how we keep to our commitments that make the difference in the long run.

Make sure that you keep your hands clean and there will be tremendous opportunities in the future. I wish you the very best.

Shanandoah: Zaid Ibrahim should contest a parliamentary seat in Johor on a Pakatan Rakyat friendly independent ticket. There are a few seats available in Johor which will suit his style of politics.

Michael Chai: Datuk Seri, if you do change your mind and decide to contest under a PAS or DAP seat, you have my support, and I'm sure of many others, because you are a good man and a decent politician.

And that you will not be a ‘katak' (frog) like that other fellow who shares part of your name or those other ‘kataks' in Perak who sold their soul for money.

Rosmah to receive doctorate from Aussie varsity

Anonymous_3f55: While the PM is right that we don't have to borrow from World Bank, it is indeed a fallacy to say that all these handouts are due to the government's solid finances.

We all know that the government has been running deficit budgets year in and year out for the past 15 years.

This year alone, some RM90 billion of funds will be raised from the domestic bond market. If this is not borrowing, I don't know what is.

Docs: Dr Rosmah Mansor, PhD. For her study on Birkin bags and what drives people to own one (or in her case, numerous bags).

Innocentuntilprovenguilty: Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud is the man behind the setting up of a Curtin University campus in Miri.

He wanted to continue as CM in Sarawak, that's why he comes up with this good deal - a Curtin doctorate for Rosmah in exchange for the CM's post.

Everyday420: "There are people here who have been saying bad things about her, but just look at how people of other countries (Australia) appreciate her by conferring a doctorate on her," said Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Mohamad Hassan.

Could it be because they don't know what we know? Additionally they don't care about her scandals as much as we do. Above everything, getting a doctorate degree says nothing about a person's vice and virtues.

KSD: What a surprise. I didn't know they were handing out PhDs in Shopalogy these days.

Changeagent: Curtin University was involved in a huge corruption scandal last year where up to 25 foreign workers seeking Australian visas had paid bribes to have their English competency test scores altered.

This led to the eventual closure of its English language test centre. Awarding an undeserved honorary doctorate to Rosmah now, who courts controversy at every juncture through her extravagant and opulent lifestyle, will do very little to rectify this damaged reputation of theirs.

3rdForce: Many comments here are in bad taste. The university sees it fit to give her a honorary degree, so be it. They have exercised their right. And FLOM (First Lady of Malaysia) is a very smart lady in her own right.

Yes, she has this insatiable instinct for million dollar shopping, she has been implicated in the gruesome murder of the pregnant Altantuya Shaariibuu, she has been portrayed as a black magic woman, all these are still heresay, and she stands innocent as yet of these accusations.

She is innocent until proven guilty. So let's just congratulate her, and wish her well. The rest we will wait for the general election, a change of guard and the benevolence of the Almighty.

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