YOURSAY 'Apologising only on the instruction of Karpal Singh won't go down well. It is another sign of arrogance and selective defiance.'

Ooi apologises after earful from Karpal

Bystander: No one has the right to belittle his or her fellow humans under whatever circumstances - especially Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi, being a lawmaker himself.

How is he to command respect when he doesn't respect others? Respect is a two-way street and must also be earned. Ooi must have been in the clouds after the GE13 victory and if he is not careful, he could just drop back to earth.

But apologising only on the instruction or suggestion of DAP national chairperson Karpal Singh will not go down well with the people.

It is another sign of arrogance and selective defiance. The crux of the matter was that he had done something wrong and should have apologised unconditionally.

Anonymous #70881335: Arrogance is the first sign of a corrupt politician. Ooi should not apologise just because Karpal asked him to.

He should apologise because he is wrong. Period. He should look inside himself before he becomes like a rotten BN/ Umno politician.

His constituents should not vote for him anymore. Read 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell.

Don'tLeaveName: This guy is a pain in DAP. DAP can do without his arrogance.

Anonyxyz: Ooi should actually apologise to the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) president and the council, in public.

However the MPPP should review why it has failed to address hawkers' problems in the state. It needs to appoint more authorised staff to solve the problem sincerely.

Anak Perak : Still arrogant and defiant. His apology is not sincere as he is doing it because of Karpal. He does not seem to respect Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng or state DAP chief Chow Kon Yeow. Really arrogant. There is no place for him in politics

Anonymous_3e46: Why is it so difficult for Ooi to apologise? Only pride stands in his way

Boiling Mud: This guy has a long way to go to even be called the new Tiger of Jelutong. Being an elected MP and probably riding on the coattails of the winds of change does not mean he is entitled to be treated like he is way above anyone.

His arrogance and delusions of self-importance say a lot about his lack of humility.

SK Lee : To be a good MP or assemblyperson, one needs to be not only knowledgeable and diligent but also humble and compassionate.

When apologising, one should be sincere and careful not to hurt the feelings of others. Eating humble pie is good for deflating one's ego.

Black Mamba: Well it looks like Ooi is now a liability to DAP/Pakatan and many believe that he shouldn't be fielded in GE14. Position and power has gone to his head.

He behaves like a warlord and is given a second term. He is no different from BN's politicians, waiting to be served rather than serving the 'kucing kurap' people.

He ought to remember every 'kucing kurap' or fool in his context, has a story to tell and it's most telling on him.

Anonymous #02382443: This young Turk should hold himself with more decorum. If he was offended by some lack of respect, he should address his grievances in a more appropriate manner. He should know that respect is earned and not given by the fact he is sitting high and mighty.

Third Eye : The 'kucing kurap' incident has laid bare the ego and small-mindedness of the Jelutong MP. He only apologised because Karpal asked him to do so.

Where is the remorse and sincerity? He doesn't even respect his own state party leaders, like Chow - Ooi made that clear through his words and action. Penang voters have a long memory and they won't condone arrogance.

Dont just talk : Good for you, Ooi, for having the humility to apologise to the MPPP workers for unnecessarily using the term 'kucing kurap'.

Everyone is a team player whether in MPPP or the corporate sector and the messengers are as important as the CEO.

Just imagine - if a bank's messenger failed to deliver the day's clearing cheques to Bank Negara Malaysia before the cut-off time of 5pm, he would have put the bank at financial risk.

Learn from this lesson YB Ooi, be humble, be polite, smile, talk less and listen more - then you will be more than a Tiger of Jelutong.

Anonymous #20381940: But the point is, why send 'kucing kurap' to handle issues beyond them?

Ksn: It is good that Ooi has apologised but do ask whether his remark was out of place considering the town council sent 'nobodies' to meet with the MP.

What respect did they give him? Was that appropriate? Should not they too apologise to Ooi for their lack of consideration to an MP, the people's representative?

Nil: It was right that Ooi apologised. The president of MPPP should now explain to him the reasons for sending low ranked MPPP officers (officers who cannot provide official decisions - so, in a way, not respecting Jeff Ooi's office) to meet him. Was that intentional? Should it not have been obvious that senior officers be sent?

PS: It is a case of the "pot calling the kettle black" when the council president did not give much thought to the MP's initiative to solve local issues by not sending more senior servants to resolve an issue of public interest.

Can it be construed then (at least tacitly) that the DAP-MP is not a federal minister but just a "kucing kurap" from the state therefore does not require better decorum?

Nevertheless, it is extremely disturbing (like many had said) that this MP lost his cool. He needs to go back for better tutoring in a political school.

My Opinion : I am going to forget this petty episode and move on to more important issues. Ooi has learned his lesson and I have learned a new Malay word. Maybe I can use it on my arrogant neighbour...

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