YOURSAY ‘If there were no elements of racism at all in the event, then why wasn't the non-Malay reporter allowed to cover the event?'

Non-Malay reporter barred from Fama event

Jimmy Ng: Since when did the Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (Fama) become a Muslim-only organisation?

We would like to know where exactly does Fama gets its funds from when they organise such events. Aren't these funds derived from Malaysian taxpayers in general?

If there were no elements of racism at all in the event (as claimed by Penang Fama corporate affairs director Habibah Sulaiman), then why wasn't the non-Muslim reporter allowed to cover it?

Fama has a lot to answer for. And please don't claim that this was an isolated incident.

Has it reached a stage where we should start asking all non-Muslim taxpayers to discontinue paying all their taxes unless they get an official undertaking and assurance from the government of Malaysia that all taxpayers' monies will be utilised fairly for all races and ethnic groups in Bolehland?

This really makes my blood boil. What's more when I hear that some Malaysians do not pay income tax to the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) but instead pay zakat (alms) where the money is used only for Muslims. Is this true?

Rolling Thunder: Habibah, if there was nothing for Fama to hide, why bar the non-Malay New Straits Times reporter from the event?

The PM and BN component parties should tell off Fama for its racist policy. It's bad for business and the economy of the country.

Masu Otaku: Habibah did not apologise. She is merely re-directing the blame on the reporter whom she claims misunderstood their actions. Umnoputras are good at not accepting responsibility for their wrongdoings and blaming all and sundry except themselves.

Cannon: This is the outcome of race-based politics carried to a level of hysteria by Umno. The implicit understanding in the BN coalition is for each component party to "kau tim" their members on the basis, "You take care of your kind and we take care of our kind. No questions asked."

The leaders of the component parties pretend not to know, don't want to know, don't want to find out what the big brother, Umno, is doing in its corner. They don't dare to speak out because it is sensitive.

That's how race relations have been steadily going downhill over the past 50 years. Outwardly the BN coalition puts on a show of solidarity and its component leaders wave the flag together and do the 1-Malaysia jig in public. There is no substance to this unity for to be separate is to be unequal.

Clearly, the organisers of the Fama function is trying to avoid any potential controversy after the "listen, listen, listen" episode, so as not to draw any attention to its nocturnal activity.

KitaAkanSiasat: So only Muslims in Malaysia are agricultural entrepreneurs? How about the Chinese, Indians and other races? Are they not Malaysians who should also be taken care of by the government?

Fair&Just: Just let the whole world know what are the reasons that they are barring non-Muslims from being involved and participating in their activities and let the normal right-thinking people judge whether their so-called reasons are valid, or whether there may be ulterior motives involved.

They will know the pain and suffering of other humans when they get the receiving end of what they are now doing to the minorities. And as the saying goes, "What goes around, comes around."

Onyourtoes: How can subjects like motivation, enterprise, marketing and economy be misconstrued into something else?

For Fama to do this, there must be a priori to assume that all Muslim Malaysians are racists. Anyway, if indeed there were indoctrination or instigation happening at the meeting, it is for the Malays to accept or reject. It is also for the Malay reporters to report them.

Low Kok Kok: Racist policies in Malaysia is the norm and Umno has refined it into a fine art.

Fama, being a federal agency, should not have blatantly barred a non-Malay reporter unless they have a secret agenda, like showing the ‘Tanda Putera' film.

PM Najib Abdul Razak should stop promoting ‘1Malaysia', which is - and always will be - a mockery to the rakyat.

Malaysiawatch4: This is how religion is abused in Malaysia... if it is motivational, everyone should be able to learn something. Indeed, this sounds like the National Civics Bureau (BTN) programme.

Ferdtan: Fama chairperson Badruddin Amiruldin, we are telling you straight in the face that whether or not you are one, the corporation which you are the head of is racist. Period.

This is neither your father's agency, nor does it belong to any particular race. It belongs to all Malaysians of all colours and religions.

We, the people - the taxpayers - are the owners of Fama. You are paid by us, and be ready to be sacked when we, the rakyat, get into power.

Anonymous_3f79: To have an idea what the session is about, just consider who the Fama chief is? He is Badruddin Amiruddin, former Yan MP and Umno's permanent chairman.

He is former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad's disciple, who even threatened violence against opposition supporters during the early days of the reformasi movement. Now you understand why the session has to be out of bound to some people.

Masu Otaku: Malaysia is probably the only racist country left in the world, and Umno is responsible for that.

Krish: A government agency cannot afford to be so careless in its handling of such matters. Fama is a federal government agency. It cannot practise racial discrimination.

The fact that the reporter was barred gives rise to the public perception that there might be some hidden agenda.

I think, being an ex-civil servant, disciplinary action can be taken against the officer or officers concerned over this debacle.

This is necessary if Fama really wants to redeem its pride as a government agency entrusted with specific objectives for the rakyat.

Kgen: Malaysia practices its own brand of apartheid. If everything is above board, why bar the non-Malay reporter?

LittleGiant: Can the leaders of all the BN component parties (other than Umno, of course), if they have any bit of decency and dignity left, take Fama and the government to task for this most outrageous incident?

In the first place, what is the need for Fama to hold motivational sessions only for the Malays? Isn't this government agency meant for all Malaysians?

Why should religion be a part of these sessions? How does it help the Agriculture Ministry to promote and develop agro-based entrepreneurs?

What about non-Malay entrepreneurs in the country's agro-based industries and businesses? Are they not paying taxes to the government and contributing to national development?

Can Fama explain how many of its events were open to all races or if all its events were 'closed door' sessions to only a particular race?

By barring a non-Malay reporter to cover its event, Fama has created a lot of suspicion about its motive in holding Malay Muslims-only events and it has in fact given Islam a bad image.

Abasir: This is exactly what Najib meant by 1Malaysia - divide and instigate.

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