ACA must maintain the trust of the people. Only those with a clean record and high integrity can hold the position of the agency's chief.
On Pressure mounts for Zulkipli to step down
Infuriated: The suspension order must be issued to the DG until he is cleared. Since a report has been lodged, the investigation must be speeded up.
ACA is a very important agency. Therefore, a suspension must handed down after the issuance of a show-cause letter. ACA must maintain the trust of the people. Only those with a clean record and high integrity can hold the position of the agency's chief.
On Small investors 'burnt by PM's advice'
Meng: When I was studying finance in college, the professor had each of us 'buy' US$50,000 worth of stock from various counters. He wanted us to study these companies, do whatever due diligence we wanted and make our choices. After four months, we were to report our results and his point was that because it had to do with sentiments and so many external factors that were beyond market control, buying stock was as good as "crystal balling". This was in the NYSE which was more market driven then, say, the KLSE.
For the PM to encourage people to go into the KLSE, and for him to make a statement in the Star to "have confidence in the KLSE", is simply irresponsible. There are many retirees, housewives and simple folks who will buy the stock base on rumours or market information which may be already outdated. They use their life savings, or even worse borrow money, to "crystal ball" the market.
There will be many who will get burn and lose their life savings as a result. But who will come to their aid? Will the government or Umno or MCA come to their aid? "Stir frying" the stock market (as the Chinese would say) is not a game the government should be involved in and definitely not for election purposes. Instead, the government should concentrate on real economic growth, GDP, FDIs, etc. When the economy is strong, companies will do well, and their stocks will rise based on real value and not pure market sentiments.
On 'Suspend NS training' pending probe on death
KSN: I had written my view about the National Service programme some time ago - that it is absolutely of no benefit to the nation and the trainees. It is sort of a holiday for them but no tragedy is more painful than the deaths of youngsters, especially to the their families.
The programme benefits only the contractors involved in supplying all sorts of things, food, tents, accommodation, etc. Unless, that was the intention in the first place.
Such training is good for the individual and the country if professionally done, like that of our neighbour, Singapore. Our reason, some people in authority have said it is good to inculcate unity among our various races. I wonder which infantile mind came up with such an idea. If only unity and harmony was so simple and easy to achieve! If that was the reason for our NS, please think again because social justice is the key to unity.
I fully support the call of not simply suspending the programme but stop it. But then again, when has our government listened to good advice? It is like pouring water on a duck's back.
YSM: Samy Vellu is so arrogant and if he reflects the mood of the BN party then I am sure that the rakyat will have no time nor patience for him. He should admit his mistake in asking the AG to prosecute the opposition leaders and the police for investigating and intimidating them.
Now, the cabinet itself, due to pressure from the rakyat, has retracted and reclassified the OSA documents that affect us all. We are fed up with this toll increase, which is not by a few percent only but some almost 50%. This is an outrage. It is truly "highway robbery".
Worst of all, Samy remain arrogant as he usually is.
On Okay to 'bungkus' leftovers at open houses
Lovely Jin: I can emphatise that food should not be wasted, and that it is acceptable to pack food after the function has finally finished when all the VIP guests have left, and there are no more members from the public queuing up and waiting to serve some dishes on their plate.
However, even when the prime minister, deputy prime minister, other cabinet ministers and foreign dignitaries are still dining, or when food attendants are still bringing the dishes out from the kitchens, people storm to pack the food. Sometimes, the serving trays have not even touched the tables, and people are already madly grabbing food to 'bungkus' like they are famine starved victims. It is no exaggeration to say that there are members from the public who also bring home unused styrofoam plates.
What impression are we leaving to the ambassadors and high commissioners who witness Malaysians jostling at each other to stuff their plastic bags to the brim for just a few grammes of flour?
On Fears loom over RM12.3 bil education allocation
Concerned Non-Economist: May I remind the minister of education that there is no such thing as smart school. We have schools, yes, but there are only smart students and smart teachers and together they make smart schools. Based on our present system of selection of students, we will never be able to achieve the objectives of cluster schools.
