YOURSAY ‘Looks like you must voice your displeasure against the non-Malays to win an Umno position. Is this how Umno operates?'

Retract 'shut down' threat, Chinese editors tell Zahid

Kairos: I applaud the editors of the Chinese newspapers for speaking out on Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's threat to close down newspapers. Clearly, since GE 13, the mood and message given out has been racially biased against the non-Malays, as if their feelings and their opinions do not matter at all now. You either take it or leave it.

This prevalent high-handed and bullying tactics do not go down well with the multiracial heterogeneous society of Malaysia. A lot of my right-thinking Malay friends are also totally cheesed off. Such racial fanaticism has no place in our beloved nation.

And for such inflammatory rhetoric to come from senior Umno ministers in the government is worrying and totally uncalled for. And of course, our commander-in-chief Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is, as usual, silent.

Anonymous 007: Looks like you must voice you displeasure against the non-Malays to win an Umno position. Is this how Umno operates?

Ranjit Singh: The issue should not be interpreted as a matter between Malays and non-Malays. He has raised an issue undermining the police itself. I do not believe it would the police intention to shoot all gangsters. The police do practice a code of ethics in Malaysia. Gangsters do exist in all countries.

Many Umno leaders (especially those who are qualified abroad) would not be happy with such a statement. This not what they teach in Oxford or elsewhere. Campaigning for the vice-president does not give privilege to upset or disrespect other communities. Zahid Hamidi should also toe the line to respect his fellow ministerial colleagues and not to make fun of them.

If reports were made to the local UN office, they may interfere with such policy that Zahid is trying to implement. The PM should interfere before the UN does or other human rights organisations outside Malaysia do. Zahid should take a break.

Boonpou: So long as sensible Malays allow this home minister to say the things he said, he will only portray the Malays as bodoh, biadap (studid and rude). But you are not bodoh, biadap. Say something. Do something, I beg of you sensible and responsible Malays. Do not let this moron represent you. You do not subscribe to his arrogance, his stupidity, his hollowness.

If you believe there is still the chance that Malaysia will be ruled according to law, by law, Zahid is the anti-thesis of that. He is simply the bad apple of your race, your ethnicity. He represents how wrong the system has been for way too long. None of us would even have heard of him, if not for the idiotic system that prevails in government.

And he is not the only one, but he is the worst there is at this historical juncture. I would be ashamed of him representing my Malay-ness. Aren't you? Rise up, represent and gain your respect as Malays. Respect is earned, not forced upon. We truly want to respect you but not his way.

Donkey Kong: It's election time. He must do one better than brandishing a keris. Give the homo erectus some space.

ODIN: Dear senior editors of Sin Chew Daily, China Press, Nanyang Siang Pau and Guang Ming Daily, he will not retract his threat. Cowards bully and threaten, and this particular coward has a whole gang (or is it three?) behind him. He will tell you that if you don't like it, you can go back to China.

Onyourtoes: I am sure whatever Zahid said at that function was in his capacity as the home minister or as a vice-president candidate in the impending Umno election (and don't forget, Umno is the most important ruling party in Malaysia).

That being the case, I want to ask what then could have been said by him that was not reportable at the same time? Was he implying he can say anything he wants, rant anything he likes and incite whatever he can to a specific audience so long as it is not published?

Hajile Leumas: This "cowboy" Zahid has gone overboard and his arrogance and haughty spirit will see to his downfall. Let the law take its due course to put him in jail for a season because Malaysia cannot have such a tyrant and dictator as the home minister. Najib, you goofed big time in letting this Zahid guy play in such an important role in your government.

Trublumalaysian: With the way the home minister is ranting and raving; there are strong indications of dementia. It is the progressive deterioration in cognitive function - the ability to process thought (intelligence).

It is a set of signs and symptoms in which the brain functions, such as memory, language, problem-solving and attention, are affected. It is also believed that this condition is prevalent among senior members of Umno Baru and cabinet minions... whoops... ministers who are seriously intellectually-challenged.

YUNoAnon: Forget about this clown apologising or retracting anything. In his very own words, "do what you have to do". He has nothing to threaten you with. Close you down for what reason? Let him continue to display his racist attitude. He will drive the international investors and community away sooner than later.

Buddyoo: He claims that Malaysiakini spins his words. I wonder why he did not follow the rule of law by suing Malaysiakini if that's true but instead he abuses his power by threatening to shutdown the press. He is not fit to be an MP or minister.

Good men: Has no one from the opposition demanded his resignation yet? I think there needs to be a campaign to remove this guy. He is a dangerous extremist bigot and has no place being a minister.

Fernz: Considering Zahid and the amended Prevention of Crime Act, does the Malaysian government condone extra-judicial killings, ethnic cleansing under the guise of combating crime, and detention without trial?

Najib should tell Zahid to toe the line. That's what he told Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department P Waythamoorthy. Zahid was among those who demanded that Waytha resign from his deputy minister's post.

Tehachapi: The Chinese newspaper editors association should show more courage and condemn Zahid for behaviour unbecoming of a home minister. He is a total disgrace to Malaysia, plain and simple.

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