New Parliament blunder: A lesson in people power
'The message for all of us rakyat is - when they do or announce their intention to do something stupid or expensive - scream your head off. It is likely to cause a U-turn.'
Nazri apologises for 'new' Parliament blunder
Joe Fernz: Another flip-flop. Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz is only apologising because he has been caught too many times with his pants down. He has run out of credibility. So he thought that it would be better for him to apologise now and then. This so-called apology must be seen in that context.
From his explanation, it's obvious that there were differences among his people on exactly how to lie on the matter. The entire issue also puts PM Najib Abdul Razak in an extremely bad light.
Already, he's in an extremely vulnerable position because of so many scandals over his head, thanks to his greedy and ambitious wife. The question that arises is why Malaysia needs a new Parliament building when other countries can make do with structures that date back 800 years or more.
A Parliament building is not something that you keep erecting every few years or so because of a few leaks here and there. If the Parliament building is still leaking despite repairs, just replace the entire roof. It's cheaper than building a new Parliament house.
Panir Selvam Judging from the sports betting licence issue, where Najib did a flip-flop after a public outcry, and now the Parliament issue, where it was announced that a new building will be built costing RM800 million, the trend is becoming clear.
Whenever there is a decision that BN wants to do something that is likely to anger the rakyat, they will announce it first. And if the rakyat makes a really big fuss, then they retract the announcement and issue a set of excuses.
A message for all of us rakyat is - when they do or announce the intention to do something stupid or expensive - scream your head off. It is likely to cause Najib to make a U-turn.
Pete Stop: Relocating the Parliament is an utmost serious matter. How can this merely be due to a misinterpretation by Nazri's officer? Only in Malaysia can you get away with excuses like "misquoted" and "misinterpreted", etc.
It is a standard excuse given without any sense of responsibility or accountability. Nazri should get his salary deducted for such a blunder, even if it is just RM1 as a symbolic reprimand.
Sarajun Hoda: I regret to use these words spoken by a friend recently that this country is run by monkeys and donkeys. No offence to our civil servants, but if we gauge properly the double standards in awarding places in universities and scholarships as well as the standard of English, the bright ones are forced to leave the country where they get to learn more and serve other economies.
I was told about 700,000 bright and highly able people left for another country in the last five years. Who's to blame? The education policy of Umno. Who's losing out? Malaysians.
So what kind of ministers do we have left? What kind of special officers do we get (probably ‘ketua cawangan' Umno)? All the 'tak boleh pakai' ones. Malaysians, if you vote for BN, this is what you get.
Die Hard: Written reply from a minister? Someone sign it on his behalf? Nazri, didn't you read the statement? The truth is, the decision made to relocate must have been true.
Keturunan Malaysia: We all sinned at one time or another but with people like Nazri, not only does he always make himself out as one who can do no wrong, he also gives almost no room for his fellow human beings to make any wrongs.
Thus the reason why most of my fellow Malaysiakini subscribers here do not give him much room to make mistakes, either.
Equitable: He says he doesn't blame the officers involved but at the same time, he says it's their fault for providing the wrong reply. Someone please help me clear up this confusion of mine.
This is typical of the BN government. If it's corruption, catch the small fry. If it's police brutality, heap the blame on the small fry also. If it's mismanagement of government funds, charge the small fry again. Any wonder why the small fry get blamed in this case?
Susah Kes: "This, he added, went against his standard practice of clearing all answers to be issued out of his office."
Too bad Nazri, no one ever swats the flies that fly out of your trap every time you opened your big mouth in the past. My guess is, knowing your big ego, you probably apologised only because 'someone' told you off.
Ray Chan Ang: We don't blame Nazri for making mistakes. We praise Nazri for admitting the mistakes he made and apologising for them. But we are dismayed with the Umno bin BN government for flooding us with inferior officers, officials and leaders who make the Malaysian government inefficient and always create flip-flop policies.
Shaziman: Parliament won't be relocated
Mr Huang: A new Parliament building in Putrajaya at a cost of RM800 million? One minister gave a written reply that it would be in Putrajaya. Another minister gave a different reply saying they would make a temporary shift to PICC (Putrajaya International Convention Centre) due to repairs.
So, who is right? Surely, both answers cannot be right? Can a third minister give a definitive reply? Since the cost of RM800 million was mentioned, the first answer could be more plausible. Otherwise, how did the minister pluck this figure out of the air?
Assuming this is the correct version, then the taxpayers have the right to ask: why not spend the money on something more tangible and beneficial, like scholarships for high-achievers?
Surely, money spent on education would be the best investment. Putting up a building (like putting up the tallest flag-pole) is an unwise investment. Let the students benefit from scholarships and let them serve the people after their studies. I do not see any real reason to put up another building.
Jacob George: 1) Define 'structural defects' please. 2) Old does not mean 'structurally unsound'.
Go check out the British Parliament - it has gone through World War Two and a major fire but is still used and kept in reverence. Most importantly, one needs to answer questions directly and with clarity but here it is a 'merry go round'.
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