vox populi small thumbnail 'Are these politicians so irresponsible that they are willing to risk racial and religious discontentment to stay in power?'

S'gor MB: Non-Muslims not the enemy

Geronimo: I don't know whether I should visit any of my Muslim friends this year or merely send them an SMS to wish them Selamat Hari Raya.

The reason - for fear of being proselytised into becoming a Muslim. I should thank Umno for making such a distinction.

Nik V: Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim's call for maturity and unity is a sign of a truly good leader. We, as the rakyat, need to realise that there will always be the overzealous in all religions determined to convert the world.

But as mature rakyat, we need to also realise that this is not reflective of the majority of Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, and Hindus in Malaysia who are respectful of one another's religion and actually enjoy the festivals and holidays that are part of a diverse nation.

Let us not allow extremists within the government or opposition provoke us into taking rash actions. We are maturing as a nation and we need to stand up against these loud voices of destruction.

Up2U: First it was TV3 then TV1 . Are the powers-that-be so desperate that they have to resort to these despicable false reporting? Are they so irresponsible that they are willing to risk racial discontentment to stay in power?

Anonymous: We, the ordinary people, are fine with each other. We don't need anyone to tell us to live in harmony. The politicians are the ones trying to make a mess out of it all.

Dr M, be a real man and stop blaming others

Kusoh: The era of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad exploited the NEP (New Economic Policy) the most, and of course, he has to defend it.

The policy is good but somewhere along the line it was misused to enrich only friends, family members and cronies. Not many ordinary Malays and bumiputeras benefitted much from the policy, and other races ended up worse off too.

Anonymous: For me, one of the unforgivable sins that Mahathir had committed (and there are many) is the dismantling of a clean judiciary.

After getting rid of chief justice (then lord president) Mohamed Suffian Hashim because of his stand for truth and integrity, the judiciary has never recovered. Today, the judiciary is a laughing stock and totally second-class. It is all Mahathir's fault.

Cala: As a nation strives to achieve a higher economic growth rate in its attempt to catch up with the West, it should not lose sight of its ‘economic development goals (EDGs)'.

So what are EDGs? In his book, ‘An autobiography: The story of my experiments with truth', MK Gandhi says development is the "realisation of the human potential".

Through no fault of Malaysian Indians, they were unable to realise their potential. They were collateral damage to Mahathir's development policy, which manifested itself under NEP/affirmative action.

So the pertinent question is: Do the Indians deserve all this from Mahathir?

Bukit Kepong: Malay dailies flay Mat Sabu

AnakBangsaMalaysia: PAS deputy president Mat Sabu is clearly doing things right to be attracting so much negative attention from Umno and its mouthpieces.

He is a genial yet tough and earthy leader, has unquestionable personal integrity, strong Islamic credentials and yet is a thoroughly modern and progressive intellectual with a deep understanding of culture and history.

Even more terrifying for Umno is that Mat Sabu commands the respect and indeed the affection of people from all races and walks of life.

In short, Mat Sabu is everything that Najib and Umno leaders secretly wish they were, but can never ever be. And this is why Umno is going all out to attack Mat Sabu. They are terrified of him.

Loyal Malaysian: Mat Sabu's speech is, of course, fuel for the Umnoputras's propaganda machine to distort. Having having read Chin Peng's - ‘My Side of History' - it is time I believe that Umnoputras acknowledged at least, the contribution of the communists towards ending colonial rule in our country.

This is in no way meant to gloss over the communist insurgency and the loss of the lives of the security forces and innocent rakyat caught in the crossfire. Yet, was it not a fact that the communists were at the forefront of the war against Japanese occupation. Chin Peng was in fact awarded an OBE by the British for his efforts.

Yes, the communists then chose the violent path to end colonial rule and impose their ideology but we must understand the context that it happened at a time when communism was spreading through this part of the world.

MACC report filed on Mat Sabu's medical claim

Tempua: I believe (Parti Cinta Malaysia vice-chief) Huan Cheng Guan is a person who speaks without fear and favour. He immediately resigned as Penang BN Youth chairman when supporters of Umno's Ahmad Ismail tore (former Penang chief minister) Koh Tsu Koon's photo.

As a Penangite, I believe everybody has the right to know how money from the Penang Water Authority (PWA) is being spent.

Bluemountains: It's good that Huan is trying to make himself look useful to the rakyat. Huan, have you made any report to the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) regarding the payment of over RM500 million commission/fees in the purchase of the (Scorpene) submarines?

Or have you made any report to the MACC regarding the payment of renovation bills by a public-listed company allegedly involving attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail?

No? Why? Because they do not belong to the opposition?

Kgen: How pathetic of Huan, dredging up a few thousand ringgit in medical claims when millions are being siphoned off openly by his Umno masters.

Loyal Malaysian: Watch these MACC goons spring to action over this. Why? Because it's a report against a Pakatan Rakyat leader.

 

The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. Over the past one year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now .