your say 'Najib, let common sense prevail and live up to your slogan ‘People First'. The people have voted Pakatan as their government, so just let it be.'

State sec Khusrin behaving like a politician

Don't Play God: If anyone has any doubt on the reasons for Mohd Khusrin Munawi's appointment by Umno, he or she need only look at Perak's power grab.

The state secretary there openly defied the Pakatan Rakyat government, and even put obstacles and disobeying instructions issued by the menteri besar there. In fact, the main reason Perak fell was because of the state secretary.

The job title says that the state secretary works for the state government. So why should the federal government be involved? Isn't it common sense that the state government should choose someone they are comfortable with, and whom they can trust to carry out their instructions diligently and responsibly?

PM Najib Razak, let common sense prevail and live up to your slogan ‘People First'. The people have voted Pakatan as their government, so just let it be, and butt out.

Anonymous: As a voter for Pakatan, I am truly disappointed with them. I though the constitution is already there for many years, why don't they debate it earlier in the state assembly and get it changed? Why is it an issue now? The Selangor government has already been in power for more than three years. There are plenty of time for them to debate this matter.

Yvoon: Dear Anonymous, the Pakatan government has been legitimately elected into power. They are given up to five years where the rakyat will have the opportunity to evaluate them and vote again. At that time, if there is someone else whom the rakyat believe can do a better job, the rakyat have the right and responsibility to elect that person or group.

Until then, the Pakatan government must have the freedom to govern. This includes selecting the right personnel (including the state secretary) for the job. The menteri besar and his excos must have the freedom to choose the people they want to hire. At the end of the day, they are answerable to the rakyat.

Khusrin is not someone Pakatan wants. And Pakatan represents the Selangor rakyat ... at least until the next elections.

Big Picture: I concur with the view that Khusrin's appointment was meant to support BN's agenda, and done without consulting MB Khalid, the person he has to work with or work for.

However, I am disappointed that some readers criticised Khusrin for his poor command of English. While some of us are lucky to be bilingual in both English and Malay, there are many Malaysians of all races who are proficient in Malay only and their own dialects.

You might say: "Oh no, Khusrin is a top civil servant." But most of his work could be effectively carried out in Malay. Many Japanese, Koreans and even Chinese top civil servants, professionals and political leaders could hardly speak English.

You might argue that they are Japanese, Koreans, etc, and we Malaysians are not as smart. Besides they are more proud of their languages than we do. This ‘English-speaking' arrogance will drive ordinary Malaysians away. Malay is the official language, unless you change the constitution.

Michael Angelo: Pakatan should also organise a people's gathering to show our anger and disdain at the BN government for this despicable back-door act. No marching, just a gathering and observing a minute of silence.

Khusrin's appointment violates founding principles

Abu Iman: The problem is BN thinks they will govern this country forever. Unfortunately, the impossible happened with the ruling coalition losing all the key states.

Being unprofessional, they cannot accept defeat and will use whatever power they have to create problems. Some of them have not gotten rid of their 'kampung' mentality.

Cala: After reading Kim Quek's comment, I can appreciate better the concept of Newton's First Law of Motion that I studied in school about a body at rest, tends to be at rest, while a body in motion, tends to move along.

In the same vein, the ruling elites, who have thus far been enjoying the power to distribute resources in any manner they wish, would act naturally to protect their hard-fought spoil.

As an example, why it is pertinent to plant Khusrin as state secretary in an enemy camp. Indeed, from new institutional economic perspective, the powers-that-be get to write rules, change them and ‘interpret the rules' only in manners that they can maintain their grip on power.

That account for why a regime, no matter how corrupt or inefficient, tends to live on longer than its shelf life. In sum hence, Khusrin's episode is only a part of a big play.

In the name of the sultan

Ong Guan Sin: The wisdom (and frustration) embedded in the great words Hazlan Zakaria wrote here is by far the most civil way of sending the message to the royalty, only if they are blessed to read and appreciate it. Well done, Hazlan. You have done your part in history and let's see how things unfold.

Onemalaysian: Let us pray that all Muslim Malays will begin to realise that they have been taken for a ride by an elitist group of Malays (you notice I have not mentioned them as Muslims as they are not by their actions and behaviour) have raped, pilfered and squandered our nation's wealth.

They have driven the wedge and built a hate syndrome among the Muslim Malays to disregard other fellow brothers and sisters of Malaysia of their rights. Hazlan's article, I hope, will go to the attention of our Tuanku Selangor and all the other sultans.

Raja Chulan: This is a very beautifully written message. Benefits and privileges don't come without corresponding work and responsibilities. Each one of us (including the rulers and political leaders) should know this. History has recorded what happens when this basic rule of the game (compact? contract?) is not followed.

KJ John: Hazlan, I truly appreciate this coming from your heart. A great piece!

 

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