‘It was during his tenure as CM that the land was sold. It would be a good idea for Koh and Gerakan to launch a 'Save Kampung Buah Pala Fund' and use proceeds to acquire the land.’

On 'RM30mil price tag for High Chaparral'

Peter Ooi: I was one of those who strongly advocated that Lim Guan Eng uses his executive power to caveat the land. I thought it was very simple.

With the stroke of his pen, all is over and the villagers would get their land back. But after reading the letters and explanations by Lim and a few exco members, I found out it was not to be.

As pointed out, the state government has to fork out millions which it can ill-afford. And only now that I understand why Lim is reluctant to do that.

While I strongly support the villagers’ cause, I believe they should be reasonable in their demand, I am sure Lim through his deputy must have obtained quite a good deal for the villagers.

Even if the government were to acquire the land, I doubt it would be cheap.

Maybe RM30 million would be a bit high but assuming that the land is valued at RM20 million, it is still too expensive for the state.

This amount could be put to better use for a larger portion of Penangites. Instead of venting their anger on Lim, the villagers should direct it at Koh Tsu Koon.

It was during his tenure as CM that the land was sold.

It would be a good idea for Koh and Gerakan launch a 'Save Kampung Buah Pala Fund' and the proceeds could be used to acquire the said land or make up for any shortfall in the compensations.

On 'High Chaparral': Mexican standoff between Hindraf, DAP, developer

Fairplay: Who is to be blamed for the High Chaparral fiasco? The Indians in Kampung Buah Pala and Hindraf are barking up the wrong tree.

The present Penang government's hands are tied when a court order is given in favour of the developer which is an Umno-related company.

If the Penang government was to rescind the approval, they will be dragged to court and the courts will surely decide against the Pakatan government.

Perhaps, they will even be made to pay a heavier compensation to the developer for the delay caused by the legal process and which the Penang government can scarcely afford.

The Indians should have long ago thrown their support behind the opposition.

You should know who your real enemies are and not go against the very people trying their best under trying circumstances to help you.

Remember, even if the Penang government backs you, the federal government can override their decision and will not hesitate to use all resources (police, civil service and the judiciary) to push through their goal.

On Kg Buah Pala: Hindraf 'got it wrong'

Ong: It is time for Hindraf and P Waythamoorthy to do something constructive instead of going around threatening everybody.

Start a fund raising campaign, especially by the Indian Malaysian community.

Propose to the Penang government that if you can raise RM15 million, then the state government contributes the other RM15 million from taxpayer's money. Hindraf can start with the second richest Malaysian, Ananda Khrishnan.

If he Waythamoorthy can talk properly and politely without issuing threats and persuade Ananda to contribute RM10 million, he only needs to raise another RM5 million from the two million Indian Malaysians which works out at RM2.50 per person.

If he learns how not to issue threats all the time he should be able to get even non-Indians to contribute.

And do not forget Samy Vellu's son, Vell Paari, who recently publicly declared that he has always been very generous in donating to needy Indians.

As for his suggestion that CM Lim Guan Eng acquire the land for public interest at a sum far below the market price, let me relate a real story on a similar matter.

Many years ago when I was a senior government officer, I attended a state level senior government officers' meeting chaired by the state menteri besar.

One of the items on the agenda was a land acquisition for some public purpose.

A head of department who wanted to ‘bodek’ the menteri besar suggested that the government Valuation Department should try to save government money by valuing the land far below market value.

Bad luck for him. He picked the wrong MB to ‘bodek’. This MB, without hesitation and in the presence of the others told him off:

‘You are very clever trying to save the government money when it is not your land that is being acquired.

If tomorrow your land is being acquired, will you volunteer to accept a compensation that is below market value?’

Supporters of Hindraf should take note that if the government can acquire the Kg Buah Pala land and pay compensation at ‘far below the market price’, then the government can also acquire your land and pay you compensation at ‘far below the market price’.

On Court of Appeal rejects prosecution's objection

Kein:

The prosecution should stop fighting tooth and nail to transfer Anwar's case to the High Court.

If they have a good case, they can obtain a conviction in any court, even in the Sessions Court.

As this case does not involve the death penalty, the Sessions Court under Judge Komathy Suppiah who has 20 years experience is fully capable of hearing it.

There is absolutely no reason why it needs to be transferred to the High Court unless the intention is to select a more compliant judge.

A transfer to the High Court is also unfair to Anwar as it deprives him of one extra level of appeal.

The prosecution should be aware that any conviction of Anwar must be seen to be fair and just or Umno’ will suffer a severe backlash.

If they have nothing to convict Anwar under an impartial judge, they should just drop the case instead of dragging the nation through the pain and wretchedness of another sham trial.

On Maids need time away from their employers too

Victor Chew:

Before the influx of easily available maids from overseas, there was such a thing as sending babies to child-minders. Lots of housewives wouldn't mind looking after someone else’s child for a fee.

Now, housewives who are willing to take in someone else's baby are not that widely available because of the maids. What are these mums going to do?

Solution? Work place creches. All government offices and private workplaces where there are mothers with children (below five years) must provide a crèche fully-equipped to cater for their working mothers' and their children's needs.

For housewives staying at home, be kind and take in your neighbours' children as day-care child minders. This is the best way to promote good neighbourliness. Get paid for it, too.

Introduced the much talked about 'long maternity leave' for mothers (up to four years) so that working ladies can rejoin the work force without loss of seniority, etc.

Allow nursing mothers to work from home. With the Internet, this is possible for many jobs and the mothers need only come to work once in a while for face-to-face meetings, etc.

Let us think of ways to avoid an over-dependence on imported maids and to save us a lot of headaches and heartaches. If there is a will, there is a way.