vox populi small thumbnail 'It is not pragmatic for a credible party like PSM to stand alone when the nation is moving towards a two-party system. But the choice is entirely PSM's.'

 

 

PSM mulls joining Pakatan Rakyat

Lusiapa: Like it or not, Pakatan Rakyat is still the lesser of two evils. It is not pragmatic for a credible party like PSM to stand alone when the nation is moving towards a two-party system. Malaysia badly needs a breath of fresh air. Pakatan is the only alternative to provide that. But the choice is entirely PSM's.

Ferdtan: PSM should join Pakatan as an equal partner, albeit, a junior one for the 'greater good' of the people of Malaysia. Alone you can't win but together and in solidarity with other Pakatan members, we can bring about change to our country.

Pahang Maverik: I personally suggest PSM do not join Pakatan. It is simply because I consider PSM is much matured in their political struggle. Please ensure your supporters are not enticed by the corrupted BN.

'Inside deals' award scholarships to unqualified students

Hamisu: What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I support quotas. However, the abuse has caused much discontent and disillusionment. This country does not value human capital. In fact, I am wondering whether the government even knows what human capital means.

Everyone should wake up. You have a choice. Should you continue to use your voting rights to pick a system that clearly oppresses you, then don't not complain. You deserve it.

Swipenter: I know of two cases of ‘undeserving' students who received scholarships - not that they were below par academically, but their parents are high-income earners. This is the dark side of the quota system, not only in awarding scholarship, but in everything that has a quota system - from jobs, contracts, business activities, licensing requirements, etc.

The quota system is sinisterly being abused to promote racism, cronyism and elitism. This is an open secret, the very antithesis of 1Malaysia, and PM Najib Abdul Razak cannot feign ignorance because he also is a product of the system.

Muthukarrupan: The quota for non-bumiputeras should be increased and deserving students be given places. As it is now, 11 As-scorers can't even get into matriculation, and Form Six is the road to perdition with teachers who never went to Form Six themselves but landing up as teachers of these classes. Few places are available at polytechnics to do diploma- and certificate-level.

It is cruel to a 11 As-scorer who has studied his heart out that he cannot go on to university. Makkal Sakthi Party's RS Thanenthiran, any comments? GAS' V Mugilan, anything to say?

So much young talent is going down the drain. Perhaps it is BN's way of saying thanks to the Indians who voted for it in Hulu Selangor and Bagan Pinang.

Gandhi: All these youngsters are going to support Hindraf in the future as they are brilliant enough to understand the discrimination going on in here. MIC is only for school dropouts and educated selfish people who have an easy life getting crumbs from S Samy Vellu.

Ichigo: The straight As students at least are heard by many political parties. How about those whose results by merit are qualified but have been denied entries? The whole system needs a major overhaul, and that will happen only when we are united and tell the powers-that-be enough is enough.

Mummy: In the matriculation programme, the Chinese did much better. Many Chinese were offered places as the BN government fears them as in the last two by-elections. Indians keep voting BN and as a result, the BN government ‘rewards' them by dishing out very few matriculation seats to them.

BN knows, no matter what, the Indians will support BN. (MIC vice-president) Dr S Subramaniam is too embarrassed to admit the truth as his personal future is at stake. Let him give us the number of Malay, Chinese and Indians who were offered places in universities.

BungyJumper: Go and meet the PM personally, just like Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, and seek his personal help . Ring Putrajaya to get his personal telephone number and meet him at home. Maybe he will grant personal scholarships.

Everybody, just everybody, loves Ibrahim Ali

Not Confused: I am totally bemused as to how so many of the rakyat can be mesmerised by this buffoon Ibrahim Ali. Okay, maybe he spreads money around like confetti - but this is like buying friendship and popularity. I guess this fact alone says a lot about the mentality of many Malaysians. It's such a sad indictment of the country.

KayKay: This guy is irrelevant because he comes from the lunatic fringe. A lunatic fringe is a sub-culture. Nothing he says will come to fruition. Just look at his track record. It's just a waste to give him so much space.

We have better things to do in this country than to focus on his ravings, which becomes a big distraction when carried by the media. The media should scratch off any politician who is not acceptable to communities other than their own.

What Malay rights is he talking about? All his utterings and mutterings are not backed up by the Federal Constitution. If he thinks he's right, he should accept the challenge of Hindraf and Makkal Sakthi to debate Article 153 of the Federal Constitution and related articles. So far, he has stayed silent on the challenge.

Former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, a bogus Malay, similarly has stayed silent on Hindraf's challenge.

Harrisman: Who wouldn't love you if you were to say to them, "I will get your share of benefits for you without you having to work." It is like children. If you tell them, "no need to work hard, daddy will take care of you forever," these children will love you like there is no tomorrow. But, is it good for their long-term future?

The answer is obvious. It is a basic human instinct. And leaders like these are in there just for the power and gaining support for their own ends.

 


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