vox populi small thumbnail 'Mara does not prepare its students for the future. It perpetuates the culture of 'masuk bakul angkat sendiri'. Not only that. It promotes racism.'

Groups give Ibrahim Ali award thumbs down

Md Imraz Ikhbal: However much I despise the chauvinistic and racist advocacy of the likes of Ibrahim Ali, I am actually delighted by this whole idea of naming an award after this epitome of racism.

If the criteria for accrediting the award is consistent with the variables contemplated when naming the award after this Perkasa chief, then despite public ridicule, UiTM will actually be doing both the society and the business fraternity a great service by simply creating this award.

Companies, organisations and corporations may now be immediately enlightened as to the racist outlook of graduates bestowed with this award, and thereby enable their management's ability to make informed choices when evaluating job applicants of such sort.

This way, graduates bestowed with such a title can likewise be employed only by those entities that share their values. I see great prospects for the likes of Perkasa, Utusan Malaysia , Umno, etc, in their recruitment and succession planning. Thank you, UiTM for such a brilliant move.

Malaysian_f06: Awards are usually named after nobility or people of high distinction so people are proud to earn the awards. What qualifies Ibrahim Ali as a candidate to be recognised by UiTM? The real story here is: what went wrong with UiTM?

2cts worth: This award for championing own race is hopelessly out of date. It is saying 'I am a Malay first'. It is also encouraging racism. It will breed thousands of tadpoles akin to the frog, Ibrahim Ali. Are dinosaurs reining supreme in our country?

Tell the Truth: It is unbelievable that UiTM would allow such an award to be named after a ‘katak' who would shout ‘sh*t' three times in the presence of international media like Al Jazeera.

Are the students of UiTM going to support this political dinosaur? You accept the award at your own peril, because you can be sure the commercial sector will be biased against any graduate from this university.

Mokhtar Abu Seman: Let UiTM do what they like. They are an institution which has become irrelevant. Right-thinking Malays should disassociate themselves from this institution. Its image runs parallel to the likes of Ibrahim.

Makcik Har: My late grandfather and grandmother as well my late father had discouraged any of their descendants to enroll in Mara establishments. Now I am banning my children and my nieces from studying in Mara. And I shall refrain from employing anybody who graduated from Mara.

Why? Because Mara does not prepare its students for the future. Their minds are closed. It perpetuates the culture of 'masuk bakul angkat sendiri'. Not only that. It promotes racism. Why do you think it honours Ibrahim Ali?

Complaint to Pope on Najib's high-handed tactics

Lusiapa: This letter addressed to the Holy Father and signed by 365 concerned Christians - a majority of whom are, understandably, Catholics - is indeed unprecedented and must be viewed as an indictment of the country's so-called "moderate" Muslim prime minister.

It is their sacred duty to bare the facts to the world, shameful and embarrassing though they may be. The timing of the letter does not matter so long as the contents are truthful and not exaggerated. As a Catholic myself, I give my concurrence wholeheartedly.

Durian: The letter to the Pope was sent too late. They should have been delivered before he met with Najib. Even though the meeting could not have been avoided, at least we could have urged the Pope to wear yellow. Now Najib will utilise the meeting to the full advantage of BN.

Lin Wenquan: The letter may not be too late as I am sure the contents will be conveyed to the Pope. What is more important is for Malaysian Catholics to be ever vigilant and judge for themselves this post-diplomatic ties period.

If Utusan , Perkasa and other so-called 'champions' of Islam continue their Christian baiting and bashing and the other outstanding issues continue to hang in limbo, then Najib will bring upon himself ignominy in the eyes of the world.

So far, his exhortations of moderation, religious freedom and tolerance in international forums have been proved to be spurious whilst back home he has not lifted a finger to stop the insidious bigotry whenever it suits Umno/BN's agenda.

Let's pray the Christians in general, and the Catholics in particular, do not rejoice yet that this man has mended his ways. He needs your votes so desperately that he has to rope in the Pope to give credence to his duplicity.

Cascara: Whining to the Pope will not matter. He does not have voting rights in this country, and will not actively influence or interfere in Malaysian politics. It is you, the Christians, who should not waver from the stand you have taken.

Hopium: I am skeptical that the Pope is unaware of Malaysian politics or the problems associated with free religious practice in this country. I am sure that the Pope has many informed people at his service and they would definitely brief him on the background of leaders and their respective countries during their visit.

The Holy See is a very powerful administration since the rise of Roman Catholic Church many centuries ago. So, it is a little naive to underestimate the knowledge of Vatican City, the Holy See or the Pope himself. The Bible issue, Lina Joy case, burning of churches, etc, are all evidence of religious intolerance for political gains in Malaysia.

It is up to the Christian brothers and sisters to decipher the motive of Najib and Pope at this meeting. No matter what the outcome of the meeting, the power is in the hand that feeds us... our hands. Help yourself, God will help you.

DNA: If Anwar Ibrahim had made this trip to the Vatican, Ibrahim Ali, Utusan Malaysia , TV1, TV2, TV3, NTV7 and Bernama would have made a meal of it.

Anonymous_3fc4: For this visit to see the Pope Benedict, did PM Najib's aides insist that all statues and crucifixes be removed from the Pope's residence?

Where is that boom-box Ibrahim Ali and Utusan Malaysia's Awang Selamat, with their Christian conspiracies? What's their spin on this visit by Najib?

 

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