YOURSAY | ‘Ministers should be alert to meticulous details when rebutting allegations.’

Rahman used false analogy to accuse Penang, says CM

Anonymous 2461101488710988: BHL Construction Sdn Bhd is an established developer. Every developer is given 36 months to construct and complete a high-rise stratified development area.

Being an established developer, it should abide by and comply with the laws, regulations and rules of the relevant authorities.

If stop work orders were given by the authorities, then it means that the developer had breached such laws, regulations or rules. Hence, the developer has only itself to blame and be held responsible.

Why should the urban wellbeing, housing and local government minister come in to rescue an errant developer on the weak excuse that it could abandon the project?

It does not make sense at all when that is applied to established developers. This is the same reason why Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association Malaysia (Rehda), National House Buyers Association (HBA) and the public support the court decision.

Kingfisher: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Abdul Rahman Dahlan's parrying of arguments against his "questionable" decision on this specific matter by use of a "false" analogy is perhaps a poor reflection of his confidence, even arrogance, that with his status as minister he could get away with such indiscretions.

Ministers should be alert to meticulous details when rebutting allegations of abuse of their powers in exercising their ministerial responsibilities. In this instance, the minister will possibly disappoint his supporters and his superior.

Amateur: This is outrageous. As alleged by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, Abdul Rahman overstepped his authority (as urban wellbeing, housing and local government minister) to allegedly act in favour of a certain housing developer.

Even if Rahman had the authority, he is not the relevant party involved in the housing project like the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) is.

Voice: The High Court ruling is a victory for the 104 house buyers against the developer. Isn’t this good? Why is Abdul Rahman appealing the decision?

He wants the developer to win, get the EOT (extension of time) and thus no need to compensate the buyers?

Prudent: Abdul Rahman’s appealing of the High Court decision is to reinforce his reasoning that he is only doing what Penang had done.

Besides, he is also trying to “save his bacon” due to his act of 'granting' the EOT.

Anonymous_40f4: Those in power always use false analogies because their boss is an expert in spinning the truth.

The recent case is where Prime Minister Najib Razak 'attacked' Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar using his half-truths.

Boeyks: Lying, or not telling the truth, or misrepresenting the facts, or massaging the facts, appear to be rampant with one particular political party.

How else can an alleged theft be called a donation? And there are people who claim this is so, through their teeth.

Mechi: "Minister for Housing Developers," said Guan Eng. I like that title.

Ku Nan: BN allies will understand explanation on Act 355

6th Generation Immigrant: "Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor is confident that BN's allies would finally accept Umno's explanation (on Act 355)."

Sincerely, Malaysians are also confident that BN component parties, apart from Umno, do not have any choice left.

If they accept Umno's arguments, they will lose their credibility, integrity and principles for shooting off their gap early in the game - they cannot now swallow their words.

They are not actually "between the devil and the deep blue sea" this time around, but shall be “jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire".

Umno has not only painted itself into a corner, but has actually dragged their component party friends to the point of no return - "hell if they do, and hell if they don't".

David Dass: The proposed Act 355 amendments are a concession to PAS.

It makes syariah law part of the criminal law of the country. It gives the syariah court powers of giving out sentencing which is harsh and contrary to the principles underlying the Penal Code.

Its enactment will immediately create a chasm - a dichotomy between penal law as set out in the Penal Code and enforced by the criminal justice system, and syariah law as administered by the syariah courts.

Its acceptance will reinforce in the hearts and minds of many Muslims that it is a victory for those pushing for God's law to become the law of the land - a step towards full implementation of the syariah.

However, it will also create a perception that Muslims are treated more harshly than non-Muslims.

The rules of procedure and evidence of the civil courts are different from the syariah courts, and the training and experience of the civil court judges are very different from the syariah court judges.

We cannot for short-term political expediency set this country on such a dangerous path.

The Analyser: You couldn't get a clearer message from Umno... when they mentioned the word 'consensus', then you will know that the amendments to Act 355 will never come to pass.

But it has been a wonderful political toy to keep the Chinese distracted.

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