On Something wrong about Syed Hamid
John Johnson: It is so appalling to see our Home Minister come out with statements like these. He has definitely put his foot in his mouth again. Whether Kugan was a criminal or not, what gave the Malaysian police the right to assault, degrade and torture him to the extent he died while in custody?
Was he not a human being who deserved the right to a fair trial in a court of law to judge him? Who needs hudud laws when the police force can just murder someone whom they presume is better off dead, all because they say he is involved in criminal activities.
Is there a death squad in the Malaysian police force going around exterminating so-called criminals? It is high time Malaysians, regardless of their race, take a good look at what is happening. The force of the rakyat should be put into setting things straight again. The Home Minister must resign immediately!
Ganesh: It is indeed sad to read that the authorities deemed it fit to release a statement that Kugan will never be able to deny.
They now claim that Kugan took the police to a place where they recovered stolen cars. Well, they might as well also say that they recovered weapons of mass destruction.
The young man has died and yet they have to tarnish his memory by unfounded allegations that only can be refuted by the person whose life they took. Now the only avenue left is for the parents to sue for defamation to clear the name of this man, who was a son, a brother, a nephew, a friend and a citizen of Malaysia.
How low can they stoop?
I feel that the Opposition needs a person like Syed Hamid in the government as he is doing wonders for their cause. I sincerely hope he remains until the next election, he will ensure Pakatan Rakyat's victory.
Milton Yap: Taking the words from Syed Hamid Albar, anyone can be taken into custody, die mysteriously in police custody and be considered a criminal. So, it can be you and me, anyone who has a decent job, decent family. This is indeed a dangerous trend towards.
Going by this modus operandi and definition given by the Home Minister, the police can pick up anybody for questioning and later on, hand over the body to the family and call them a criminal.
I would like to know MCA, MIC and Gerakan’s stand on this matter. Can they speak up please. Otherwise, we know who we should vote for in the next election.
Prema: I agree with Lim Kit Siang and Gobind Singh that something is extremely wrong with our police force and Home Minister. We have a Home Minister who fancies himself as a magistrate.
Judging by his words and actions, I can’t help but wonder if he really is a lawyer by training as it is surprising and disgusting to note that his ‘demons and heroes’ statement is not the first time he has put his foot in his mouth.
What about the time he slammed Hindraf and deemed it an illegal organisation? Now he is criticising a dead man!
It is time for both the Home Minister and the Selangor Police Chief (a wrong-doer too, as he had made false allegations) to be booted out of office and sentenced under the ISA as both had incited racial tensions.
Politicians should understand that they are elected representatives put in power to take care of the well-being of the rakyat. In no circumstance are they to take the law into their own hands.
G-Man: Something needs to be done about Syed Hamid, who seems to do nothing but make a fool of himself and the government. The latest 'heroes and demons' remark is one of many that seems to reaffirm the fact that he surely belongs at home and not in a minister’s office.
His statement only serves to make Malaysia a laughing stock. I think if Najib wants to take over the reins in March, it would be to his advantage to have Syed Hamid removed from office immediately before he further batters the already sinking BN ship.
Appum: Another BN minister under-estimating the intelligence of Malaysians via his pigeon wit. The people don't glorify criminals, especially when such criminals go around wielding parangs, chopping up innocent car owners to hijack their vehicles.
The public abhor such violent crimes and we wish that the people who commit them are brought to book in the name of justice.
The public have no sympathy for such criminals if they are made to pay for their crimes in a proper, lawful manner.
But to torture a criminal of any kind to make them confess is inexcusable, not to mention unlawful and inhumane.
The poilce can use all kinds of interrogative methods but to inflict physical harm on a human being is not forgivable and no matter what excuses are offered, they can never be accepted. Yet our Home Minister is trying his level best to justify such actions. What nerve!
On Kugan's case: Cops to be charged next week
Predicament: I am completely bewildered by the ‘subsequent charges’ being considered for those who caused Kugan’s death.
If Kugan had died in custody with liquid in his lungs, does that not indicate negligence on the part of the police to provide him with medical care in a timely manner?
Firstly, liquid in the lungs is certainly within the grasp of modern medicine today. Secondly, it isn't a conclusive cause of death. What was the cause behind the liquid being in the lungs? Was it a lung infection? Was he poisoned? Did he drown? Or did he have a heart attack?
Either way, it is clear that Kugan developed the condition while under police care whereas the alternative would mean the police picked up a very sick person and continued interrogation despite the person being critically ill.
Given the circumstances, the largest crime is crime against humanity - he was tortured to death either by means of physical torture causing death or torture by denying critical need for medical assistance, allowing whatever caused the liquid to fill his lungs to slowly kill him.
It is said to be the most painful and slow way to die. It certainly does not happen suddenly.
I say scrap these meager charges as he was not hurt, but rather, he died. You don't need to be a lawyer to see that Penal Code 331 does not cover the circumstance where the sufferer dies.
On Q&A: Fernandes pours out his frustrations
Perry Dompok: It saddens me to realise that many of us do not go beyond the headline in an article. Tony Fernandez has gotten blasted and has been misunderstood because of his attendance at one of Shahrizat Jalil's programmes during campaigning at the last general election.
The fact is that AirAsia is a great airline, one of the biggest in Asia. The fact is that they do not use taxpayers' money for their needs and salaries. The fact is that they have promoted Malaysia more than anything or anyone else, save maybe F1 and KLCC Twin Towers.
The fact is that now Malaysians can and do fly far more often and at far better prices than ever before.
Now, I don't know Tony Fernandez and have never bothered to know much about him. But this interview has shown him to be very intelligent, eloquent, very good at his work, committed and brave.
Malaysians should be proud of this guy.
I also wonder why Malaysians want somebody, anybody, to be at mercy of government-linked monopolies after we have suffered for years because of various APs (cars, sugar, rice, etc.), tolls, and other ‘rent collectors.
Be fair and read the guy's interview. He is quite good.
On Samy's challenger reinstated
Mrs Leo: I feel Muthu should just leave MIC. To us Indians, its not a relevant party anymore for you to fight for. There is nothing this party can do to please us.
I salute Hindraf for being for its selfless courage and willingness to sacrifice for us. Do you honestly believe Samy Vellu will do the same?
My advise as an ordinary rakyat to you Mr Muthupalaniappan is please leave MIC and join another party if you are indeed sincere in wanting to help the Indians in this country. Being the head of a party is not the main point, helping people in need is more important.
Leave MIC. It is no longer relevant. It is a can of spoilt food.