'The principles of Islam Hadhari seem to me to be okay and good . Why do the PR states feel that it is necessary to dismantle this?'

On Penang next to prohibit Islam Hadhari

Baiyuensheng: Lately, the PR states have been dismantling the Islam Hadhari mechanism. I have no further ideas on this concept beside those elements that I am able to obtain from the Internet. Being a non-Muslim, I have no clue.

But the principles of Islam Hadhari seem to me to be okay and good. Somehow I feel that the PM is trying to promote a moderate form of Islam and create a more of an harmonious environment. What is moderate is good for the country, Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

My question is why do the PR states feel that it is necessary to dismantle this? I hope the learned readers in this forum can shed an insight on this.

Madhaterz: I do not understand why these Pakatan Rakyat-led state governments want to prohibit Islam Hadhari. I do not see how this can help in promoting a more efficiently-run state government.

If these state governments think Islam Hadhari is not their cup of tea, then just do not offer support. This move of prohibiting it is repressive.

If anyone wants to follow or promote Islam Hadhari, let it be. In fact, I think if one wants to follow the teachings of Ayah Pin, Falun Gong or whatever, it is his or her wish.

I think the state government of Selangor and Penang should be spending their time and energy in running their state government effectively and more importantly, ensuring they are free of corruption.

On Dr M poser on Scomi-RapidKL bus deal

Sher Tuan: Since the government acquired Intrakota and Parkmay, the operations and ownership of the buses/assets are separated. The ownership of the assets rests with SPNB while RapidKL is responsible for the operations of the assets.

SPNB has since invested in the purchases of new buses. We understand total purchase to date by SPNB is about 1,200 units for Klang Valley and 150 units for Penang. The Klang Valley buses are operated by RapidKL and Penang buses by RapidPenang.

Scomi supplied the following number of buses to SPNB for RapidKL’s operations:

• 2005 -160

Total is 285 units. The other bus suppliers include SKS, Deftech, Sumai, Euromawar and Masterbuilders.

Scomi supplied 70 of the 150 units to SPNB for its Penang operations. The other suppliers are SKS and Deftech.

The old buses (not so old, about 10 years) that SPNB inherited upon taking over Parkmay and Intrakota totaled to about 1,000 units (one thousand). These buses were not in operating condition and have been lying idle in two yards at Sungai Buaya and Antara Gapi, Selangor.

Scomi is now refurbishing 150 units of these buses at a price lower than brand new purchases. This is the first time any supplier doing this and Scomi has successfully completed 50 units thus far.

On BMC assault victim charged with 'reckless driving'

KF Chan: I want to know why only Chang Jiun Haur is charged. What about the 20 FRU personnel for attempted murder?

Limek: The government too should be charged for negligence for causing this mess. It is the poor reaction and subsequent inaction of the government that resulted in this incident.

Also, the home ministry and the police should be investigated assault as it is clearly manifested in the injuries of the youth. Where is the justice?

On JPA scholarships - beyond racial quotas

Munti-dann: ‘Real politik’ argues that JPA scholars’ skills and smarts have not been fully utilised. My question is: how many of these scholars were, are, or will be really smart, knowledgeable and skillful?

Since the 1970s, a high percentage of scholars sent overseas by JPA were just above-average students. The criterion was mainly one of ethnicity and not meritocracy.

A sizeable number of these ‘advantaged graduates’ returned with dubious knowledge and equivocal skills, yet given top posts (especially those with higher degrees) in no time, overstepping other senior and more capable officers.

Many of my old friends, retired graduate teachers, university lecturers and ministry administrators, had their share of this painful experience. Promotion did not depend on merit or hard work, but the name or the superior one flattered.

It had not been uncommon to see one's juniors or even students upgraded to higher positions overnight. The rest is history.

Are things getting better nowadays? No, they can only become worse. ‘Smarts and skills’ are most likely not in the JPA scholars’ vocabulary. Just look around at the rampant mismanaging and the questionable standard of teaching and training in the nation.

On Anwar: Defections to proceed as planned

Thequay 007: It is my hope that defections will proceed as planned. Hopefully these defections are not illusions after all. The cry of the rakyat has fallen upon deaf ears again and again. Many unpopular decisions have been made by the government of the day despite they knowing that the majority of the rakyat do not support these decisions.

Isn't it the duty of the government to serve the rakyat ? The government has been making all sort of decisions not benefitting the rakyat lately. The government is also not transparent in disclosing its revenue and expenditures.

Nobody know for sure how the government spends the rakyat 's money. And worse still, the government is stubborn, doing things their way, disrespectful of the rakyat and does not seem to want to amend their ways.

The only way is topple the BN government legally. As the saying goes, ‘you can force the horse to the river but you cannot force it to drink’.

Under such circumstances, the rakyat has no other choice other than to fully support Pakatan Rakyat. Hopefully, Pakatan will be able to take over the federal government soonest possible and liberate this country of all the sins of the BN government.

The rakyat can then really enjoy living in this country.

On Penang CM: Koh's playing mind games

Kenny Gan: Koh Tsu Koon should stop undermining Penang's new government by claiming credit for foreign investments. Is this what Gerakan means by being an effective opposition?

One must remember that the 'Pearl of the Orient' lost its shine during Gerakan's more than three- decades rule. Tourism dropped and corporations were moving out.

Even Koh had to beg PM Abdullah Ahamd Badawi to give Motorola a huge contract to stop them from moving out. The public transport was in shambles, growth stagnated and Penangites had to move out from the island in search of jobs.

A major part of the problem was that Koh himself was a chief minister without power who had to dance to Umno's tune. The Penang people had lost confidence in Koh and Gerakan. Indeed, the chief ministership was in danger of being lost to Umno with a belligerent Umno Youth leading the charge with the battle cry of ‘Penang Malays marginalised.’

It was DAP which came to Gerakan's defence and Koh has yet to express any gratitude.

As for winning back Penang, Gerakan should face the reality that as long as they are perceived to be under Umno's thumb, there can be no comeback. The recent action taken against two Gerakan members who were offered non-political posts in the Penang and Selangor state governments under the insistence of Najib only reinforce the impression of what others had known all along.

Rather than being petty-minded, Koh should try to salvage the last dregs of his reputation by offering a creditable explanation as to why he voluntarily converted Penang Turf Club's land for commercial use and in doing so deprived the state government of more than RM200 million in revenue.

Isn't that far more important than dubiously claiming credit for foreign investments?

On Philharmonic Orchestra beneficial in the long run

Hooi Giam: I disagree with the premise that the MPO is beneficial in the long run. I had been an MPO subscriber for a few seasons. But, I must say that the management of this organisation leaves a lot to be desired.

As a result, my friends and I have ceased to be subscribers for this 2007/2008 season and this is before I found out about the colossal amounts needed to fund the MPO.

As many have pointed out, the MPO is anything but Malaysian. Foreigners make up 95% of the orchestra population. This has always been an embarrassing point for me whenever I talk about the MPO.

Compared to our southern neighbour, I am convinced that Malaysia has as many, if not more, musicians of whose talent we could further develop.

If after 10 years and RM500 million, all we get is the odd Malaysian Composers Forum and the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra; I say we taxpayers are getting a very lousy deal.

A simple cost-benefit analysis on the MPO is clear to all but a three-year-old. Much as I love classical music, I simply cannot justify Petronas spending such huge sums for so little benefit.

RM500 million would have gone a long way towards developing our own talent and a ‘real’ Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra.