Ex-IGP Hanif, the Internet has opened our eyes

YOURSAY ‘It was not that people did not think of these matters. The real obstacle was that there was no avenue to express their views.'

Ex-IGP: Malays hurt by challenges on 'taboo topics'

Hold Awam Accountable: For former inspector-general of police (IGP) Hanif Omar, the good old days were such that people could be silenced and intimidated by labelling certain issues "sensitive" and certain groups "subversive elements". Too bad for him that the Internet has helped open the eyes of many Malaysians.

Years of hypocrisy and manipulation by the government have since been peeled away to lay bare a new reality... and nothing can cover it up again.

CiViC: We were living in peace even though Umno during Dr Mahathir Mohamad's time was already in control of most things. Non-Malays had always been a tolerant lot.

The so-called challenge started with Umno raising all these race issues, playing race cards in almost every imaginable way. If today there's a grand design that is leading the country to destruction, it is by Umno itself.

Katusha: In their blind earnest and greed to grab everything for themselves and the so-called people they are supposedly "protecting", the Umnoputras, amongst whom many have somehow managed to manipulate their way to become their so-called "leaders", have consciously fed their so-called "protectees" with fear leading to hatred (of their imagined enemies like the Chinese) and extremist ideas like ‘ketuanan Melayu' to the extent that there is no more real trust and solidarity among the races in the country.

The solidarity and trust you see in the country today is only superficial. Deep down, there is more of distrust, disgust and hatred.

SpongeBob: Hanif, for your information, the media controlled by Umno are the ones used to "spread slander and lies without shame or the fear of Allah".

Please voice your hypocrite concern to Umno, the one which infringes or encroaches on the rights of others blatantly.

Justathougt Sigh: The better-educated Malays probably feel very ‘malu' (ashamed) with this uneducated simpleton, but are held back by their subservient culture not to say anything.

For years before the advent of the alternative media, idiots like him had a field day talking nonsense and thought they were so clever.

Peacemaker: It was not that people did not think of these matters. The real obstacle was that there was no avenue or channel to express their views.

Now you get to hear the views, you don't like it. If you don't like, you either change or persuade your opponent that your views are more tenable.

Quigonbond: Hanif, the last I recall, we're still a democracy, grossly imperfect as it may be. There is no use sweeping sensitive topics under the carpet.

It's equivalent to pumping water into a balloon - you never know which way it's eventually going to burst. It's better to let all views out in the open and deal with it in a civilised manner.

You should not be attacking the people who are bringing up issues because these are all legitimate concerns.

You should instead be attacking those who stand in the way of a civilised contest of ideas, who resort to violence or threat of violence, failing which they resort to name calling, slander and libel.

An idea that cannot withstand debate is an idea that is only fit to for the dustbin of history.

Dark Knight: I'm wondering whether Hanif Omar has become senile. If the British never colonised Malaya, then why did Tunku Abdul Rahman and his cohorts seek independence from Britain?

Why do we then celebrate Merdeka annually in recognition of the freedom that we gained in 1957?

Fogbom: I see poor ordinary Malaysians everywhere, struggling to make a living everyday. Their careworn faces, uncomplaining, in the hot sun or the relentless rain, under maybe an umbrella.

The Malay woman selling nasi lemak, the old Chinaman working in the ironmongery, the weary Indian cycling, balancing discarded odds and ends for resale.

Thank God for Pakatan Rakyat. We have a real chance of kicking them out - they cheated us at 505 (May 5).

We will have to struggle in the kampungs, in the squatter areas, in the cities and small towns, in the long houses, in the hills and the valleys, come the 14th general election (GE14). And we shall win.

Astounded: It has already been more than 56 years since Malaya gained its independence and we are still talking about its citizens in terms of Malays, Chinese, Indians and others.

Why can't we all be one? Does it take a war with another country for the country's citizens to be truly one? All this thing about divide and rule by race has not done the country any good. Nor will it ever do.

I am thinking perhaps we may have to wait for this generation of leaders to go first before the country can truly unite but it may not be the case as this poison of division is being perpetuated and passed on to future generations.

Does Malaysia need a catastrophe to happen before its leaders learn that they have been so tragically mistaken in the way they govern?

Lokaikai: No, Hanif you are wrong. The action is always countered by reactions. The reaction is because the Umno-led government and the Malays are pushing the others, non-Muslim Malaysians, too much.

Cala: Hanif, blame not the alternative media or for that matter social media for exposing the ills of the government/the state/the ruling elites.

While your fingers are pointing outward to others, do a bit of self-reflection and ponder what have the above-mentioned failed the rakyat/the masses?

To my mind, only an autocratic regime who embraces absolutism and hence installs "extractive political institutions" is fearful of differing views. But whose fault is this? As the saying goes, a righteous man has nothing to fear. An evil man fears even for his own shadow.

By the way, as a man of distinction, how come Hanif is still involved with an entity that has to do with gambling? And now he has the audacity to pass judgment about what is right and wrong of others? Incredible.

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.