YOURSAY ‘Perhaps that is what you get when you have to scrape the bottom of the barrel for choice of ministers.'
Cala:
The sudden custodial death of N Dhamendran is another proof why voters deserted Umno-led BN in droves.
But other than responding to Commander S Thayaparan's call to take part in a rally to show our displeasure, how can one read Home Minister Zahid Hamidi's mind when he shows little remorse over the incident, and instead asks all parties to safeguard the morale of the police?
An American sociologist has the answer. According to Robert Merton, some social institutions are designed to be dysfunctional (Wallace and Wolf, 2006, pp. 45-57; Ritzer, 2008).
Consider for a moment who would benefit if there is a social group which is marginalised and disenfranchised?
Would not the lowly-paid (relatively) and lowly-educated police officers be able to seek some gratification when confronting the Indian suspects? What is more, would it not be able to promote a certain ethnic group as superior?
Acitizen: History will repeat itself. The BN shall face the same issues of GE13 in GE14. Security-wise, the people feel just as unsafe in their homes and on the street, as in jail.
The Election Commission (EC) is a stark example of collaboration with the executive when it should not. Both the above issues are staring right at the eyes of the people. It is not going to go away.
Yet, Umno is fighting the majority of people on both issues. Perhaps that is what you get when you have to scrape the bottom of the barrel for choice of ministers. We see Laurel and Hardy in the swapping of ministers between the home and defence ministries.
Is there anything positively new for the people come GE14? Besides new arrogance, and misreading the now well-informed rakyat with strengthened resolve on rule through division of race, religion and fear, nah!
Surprised? Ask Laurel or Hardy.
Fairnsquare: The home minister must make it a point that the government, during the first year of his tenure, should ratify and implement without delay the UN Convention Against Torture.
This would go a long way to improve his reputation which was tarnished with his initial remarks seen as sheer arrogance by many.
Some positive action is needed at the top before more stringent regulations are enforced to reduce, if not eliminate, custodial deaths irrespective of race.
Vijay47: Going through the second table in Commander S Thayaparan's article, I wonder what the heck is wrong with Perlis.
Zahid should immediately sack the chief police officer (CPO) in that state. I mean, in the entire 11 years under review, there has not been a single death in Perlis. The CPO must be sleeping on the job.
Abasir: Vijay47, given the minuscule size of Perlis and its holding facilities, I believe 'cases' are transferred to neighbouring Kedah or conveniently misplaced across the border at Padang Besar. But I could be wrong. Perhaps they are just not reported.
Spooked sellers push Harakah circulation down
Kim Quek: "The Home Ministry officers are telling the sellers that the next time Harakah is found at their premises, they will be charged in court."
These threats and confiscations are illegal, as the vendors are entitled to sell the publication to PAS members.
Where confiscations are made at the distributors, these are clear-cut cases of robbery, as the ministry cannot possibly justify such breach of Article 13(1) of the federal constitution, which states: "No person shall be deprived of property save in accordance with law".
I suggest police reports be made over these illegal seizures. Additionally, Harakah should also seek a judicial review over the restriction of sales to party members only, as such oppressive restriction violates the freedom of expression guaranteed under Article 10(1) of the federal constitution.
Hplooi: This perfectly illustrates the age-old principles of power-control. The ‘ketuanan' ideology in reality is not about protecting a race, but about perpetuating a regime.
History, especially the near-past, is replete with such examples. This also indicate an ascendency of the right-wing faction in Umno.
The Home Ministry is currently the driver in asserting their 'narrative' on the national consciousness. Harakah is banned/harassed whilst Utusan Malaysia and other extreme-right papers are given free rein.
The May 13 movie ‘Tanda Putera' is an attempt at stigmatising all national issues as racial us-against-them threats (never mind its relevancy, truthfulness or cogency).
Four more years under this home minister signal that the worst is yet to come.
Albertan98: I think a new strategy is needed. Why not allow members to order Harakah and have them delivered directly to people who wants them in their houses by deliverymen (just like how The Star and the New Straits Times are being distributed).
I think the cost will be minimal. Also people won't mind paying for two or three subscriptions. You also create income for those unemployed PAS members when they work as deliverymen.
I am not a PAS member but I won't mind sponsoring a least two subscriptions annually to be sent to any persons PAS headquarters wants to deliver them to.
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