I support the decision to ban the release of Kong Ming lanterns in our country. The danger it poses is not o­nly to the air traffic, but to houses, particularly in the villages where the houses have attap roofs. Furthermore it has never been a part of the culture of the Chinese in Malaysia. It is o­nly in recent years that we see people catch o­n to the idea of releasing these lanterns.

I would also like to call for the resignation of Dr Ling Liong Sik who claims that by releasing these lanterns, o­ne will learn how to be a strategist. It is totally absurd. Strategic thinking can o­nly be taught through education. If Dr Ling is sincere in his quest to empower all Malaysians with this knowledge, he should bring it up in the cabinet, start a committee to study ways of incorporating strategic thinking ideas into our education system and launch a nation-wide campaign to educate the public.

The public should realise that the releasing Kong Ming lanterns would o­nly profit the makers and sellers of this contraption. Do we need to pay for education? Do we need to enrich other people's pocket in order to learn about strategic thinking? I say that the real strategists in this case are the makers and sellers who profit from this nationwide obsession.

Who is profiting from the sales of these lanterns? What company is producing them? We should learn to ask these questions so that our politicians will not trick us again.

Dr Ling claims that he is the o­ne who thought of the idea of introducing this activity here in Malaysia, after he visited Yunnan a few years back. I don't doubt his claim because it really befits the claim made by someone who is stupid and at the same time, an egoist.

What our country needs are sincere politicians who have the people's welfare in their hearts and minds in everything they do. And if our present politicians do not have these qualities, then they should step down and allow other people to take over.

Happy Chinese New Year to all.