YOURSAY ‘The Malacca CM must be very confident of the state economy and can do without the tourist dollar, local as well as foreign.'

It's Jonker Walk, not Jonker Drive, Nazri reminds CM

your say Mahashitla: Chief Minister Idris Haron's egoistic head is bigger than that of a kerbau's. Tourism Minister Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz has now made it clear to him that Jonker Street is for the people to walk and not to drive.

If Idris still cannot understand that, I think Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has got to take some high blood pressure pills for putting him there.

The CM just does not seem to understand the importance of tourism and the livelihood of those hundreds and even thousands who depend on it.

Martha: First, you wanted to patent ‘asam pedas'. Next, you wanted to close Jonker Walk. Later on, you said you were misquoted, and that you actually wanted to open the road for traffic because of congestion.

Idris, are you sure that you know how to govern the state properly? This is a tourist attraction. You are supposed to develop the state, not kill it.

Hello: The Malacca CM must be very confident of the state economy and can do without the tourist dollar, local as well as foreign. Well, travellers, just give Malacca a miss and spend your dollar in some other states.

Game Changer: I would think there are grounds for suing the state government for damages. Normally, the state government would compensate the people if its actions affect the livelihood of the people; be there a trial or not, it's a must.

So, to all the hawkers, you can start suing the Malacca government. Lawyers, make your case.

Not Confused: Friends of mine from the United Kingdom often travel to Malaysia and usually visit Malacca during the weekend to stroll around Jonker Walk.

I told them about the Malacca CM's decision and they were really very amused - no one can really believe that the clown who calls himself chief minister could really make such a crass and stupid decision, particularly if it is in vengeance against those who did not vote for the ruling coalition.

Needless to say, they have stated that they will no longer be visiting Malacca. I suggested Langkawi or Penang instead.

Malaysians.conned: Indeed, Malacca has a Jonker Walk, a Jonker Drive and a Joker CM.

Kamikasi: Well done Minister, at least you are being sensible. Too bad the CM is finding faults with Malaccans.

It is unwise to administer a state this way. I think Jonker Walk is patronised by all races, and economically benefitting all races.

Disbeliever: Nazri Abdul Aziz, there is no need for the Malacca CM to have a trial run by opening Jonker Walk to traffic for four weeks.

It is impossible for traders to carry out business at Jonker Walk in the event that the road is reopened to traffic simply because that road (Jonker Street/Jalan Hang Jebat) is a narrow one-way street.

Even if a vehicle is to stop to drop off passengers, those following behind have to stop as it is impossible to pass through.

Just scrap this ridiculous idea of a trial run and revert Jonker Walk to the status quo of a tourist attraction.

Cala: Nazri said: "I promise you, if they (protesters) break the law, I will ensure that I will speak to the police: arrest them."

The minister spoke as if we are having an autocratic government. What are the tenets of a democratic government (never mind if it is a minority one with 47 percent of popular votes)?

Answer: It is the government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Am I correct?

The truth is, the approach taken by the chief minister is wrong. He should have presented as a case of costs and benefits after the individual interests of all stakeholders are considered. For example, the public's interests, traders' interests, and shopkeepers' interests.

Sadly, we did not hear anything to that effect other than noises about him taking personal vendetta against the ungrateful Chinese in the last general election.

Love for Malaysia: Nazri, we are pleased with your statement. Please advise the new chief minister to do his work properly or risk damaging the feelings of Malaccans.

Fair Play: Dear Tourism Minister, now you understand why the rakyat abandoned BN in droves. It seems that within BN, and in particular Umno, the right hand does not know what the left hand in doing.

Take your comment for example. You tried your best to convince Idris Haron to do the right thing. Instead you have to reiterate the street is Jonker Walk and not Jonker Drive.

If Umno can't convince its own leaders, pray tell us dear minister, how can you expect the rakyat to be convinced?

Wira: Hang Jebat must be turning in his grave. This is his walk, too.

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 .