vox populi small thumbnail 'He is free to bathe in 3.5 million euros of champagne with a B-list celebrity every night - as long as he is using his own money. The question is: Is he using his own money?'

 

So, who is Jho Low, really?

                

TanKianKhim: Low Taek Jho's extravagant - some say decadent - lifestyle does not concern me in the least. He is free to bathe in 3.5 million euros of champagne with a B-list celebrity every night - as long as he is using his own money. The question is: Is he using his own money?

There are allegations that Low may be acting as a front man for Umno-BN cronies to launder siphoned public funds. Given his close association with senior Umno personalities, and the sordid 'tradition' of cronyism in Malaysia, this is a distinct possibility that warrants closer scrutiny.

In particular, his close association with the notoriously corrupt Taib Mahmud family should be enough to set alarm bells ringing.

Cala: No right-thinking Malaysian (I guess much less DAP or Pakatan) will agree to award the development contract to Jho Low, any Chinese or for that matter anybody, through direct negotiation.

The rightful thing is for the state to come out with a comprehensive development plan (can be done by a panel of experts on similar development), discuss it openly with the public, and construct systematically the new infrastructure. Overall development can be parceled into smaller lots to be developed by appointed developers after proper bidding, the way Singapore's Urban Renewal Authority does.

Human Factor: Malaysians business or projects are often plagued by incompetent cronies given strong support by the local media. The real truth revealed the ugly results of colossal loss of monetary funds to the country.

The former Perwaja CEO is one example who claimed to be the top CEO of the nation by the official media. There are many others who are still active in siphoning our nation wealth. They are in position not due to their capability but due to their expertise in siphoning money that leads to many failed projects.

Gunena: It seems like Jho Low fits in like how Patrick Lim did during PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s regime.

MW: Frankly I don't see anything wrong if Jho Low is a skilled networker and managed to wheel and deal his way to the top.

Alexander Yuan: It was reported in several newspapers that this rich brat threw away millions in one night trying to impress and shag Paris Hilton. And you wonder why Idris Jala says that Malaysia is heading for bankruptcy?

Wira : This guy is too extravagant and I don't trust his networking because of the focus on party, booze and sex. Anyway, I won't trust him with my money and I don't suggest this country should.

Nazirull Safry Paijo: The irony of 'change your lifestyle'.

PM 'must tread lightly' with Dr M on guard

Joe: Dr Mahathir Mohamad is that kind of person who must have his way. He thinks he is the CEO and must have the last say. He has to have his 'special rights' and appointed himself with the power of veto over the BN-Umno government.

He is that great that even out of office, he can override the will of the people. There's only one way to shut this man up. Throw him out of Umno. As to Najib being his own man, that is not going to happen.

Umno is a band of buccaneers who band together to 'sapu' and 'gasak'. These scoundrels blackmail one another, that's why you don't see any ‘fat cats’ convicted. This bunch of rascals have the skeletons on Najib. He has no choice but to dance to their tune to keep his position.

Anonymous: Australian PM Kevin Rudd was prepared to put his neck on the chopping board. And indeed, his ‘head was chopped’ and Julia Gillard took over as PM, without any bloodshed. Smooth transition; no tantrums and street demonstrations.

Could we Malaysians rise to the occasion and do the same? The Umno-backed demonstrations in Penang, Ipoh and Selangor showed the demonstrators attitude: they were sore losers. They just could not take the loss and fight another day.

A leader must be brave and be a gentleman as well. If he makes a decision, he must stick to it, rain or sunshine; thunder or lightning. And if any cabinet minister does not agree after a decision has been made, that minister should resign as Zaid Ibrahim did as de facto law minister.

That should be the spirit of a true gentleman. If you don't agree with my policy, after a decision has been made, resign and go home.

KayKay: Mahathir is not interested in Najib, Muhyiddin Yassin or anyone else including his own son. He just wants things done his way.

It would be silly of the Malays to fall for his scam that he's their ‘protector’. It's high time that Najib showed that he's his own man. Otherwise, he's done for. He can't afford to have someone, well-meaning or otherwise, dictating to him from the sidelines. This is not some feudal kingdom with its palace intrigues.

What is the worst thing that can happen to Najib if he's firm? Are all the Malays going to run away and support PAS and PKR? Let them, if that's what they really want. He can then enjoy the RM500 million from the two submarines and the RM4 billion from Felda.

 

 

 

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