YOURSAY 'Do not rely on the US - we are better off fighting our own battles.'

Obama told to target M'sia in defending democracy

Quigonbond: If the US Embassy is scrutinising this page, read this: We were inspired when Barack Obama got elected as US president. Then, real politics kicked in. I don't know how Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak assuaged Obama's concern that terrorism won't be launched from Malaysia one day.

But at the rate our racial and religious polarisation is going, soon enough, ideas expounded by IS will have more traction among the Malay-Muslim majority in this country, than the views of moderate Muslims.

Najib's party's political strategy for winning the next general election is (quite apart from electoral fraud) simply to rile up the Malay Muslims against other minority races in the country. The tone is one of fundamentalist conservative extremism.

Leading the pack is Perkasa, patroned by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. They may be all talk, but with their strident views sanctioned by the Najib administration, and being untouchable as well, they can and will influence fundamentalist behaviour - we already see offshoots like Isma. The US had better wake up.

Open minded: Yes do not rely on the US. They tried to play big brother in the Middle East with the so called Arab Spring that was supposed to give the people there freedom from dictators.  But in the end, it left the countries in shambles, making them fertile ground for extremism.

The US will just pack their bags and look for scapegoats to skin. We are better off fighting our own little battles. BN has to go.

Truth: US, please mind your own business. Or at least take responsibility for the chaos, destruction you have created or started in the Middle East, especially in Iraq, and in Afghanistan as well. Don't impose your ideals or values on others.

And fellow Malaysians, stop worshipping American idols. Grow a spine. Just look at the problems within America itself.

Oriole: For the Americans, it's just business as usual; as long as their businesses thrive, it doesn't care. Who is oppressed or who gets tortured does not matter. And all these sentiments about the great white man bringing his democracy to downtrodden lands is the worst type of colonial nonsense. The current US administration just proves this point.

Swipenter: The world's self-appointed champion and defender of democracy versus the world's self-appointed champion and defender of the Ketuanan Doctrine.

Now another opportunity has presented itself for Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin to shine again. Remember, he led a Umno Youth protest against US state secretary Madeleine Albright at KLCC Convention Centre when his father-in-law was PM.

Now he has morphed into the supreme apologist for Umno Baru and still holds the Umno Youth chief post. He should organise and lead another protest in front of the US Embassy by burning copies of the Washington Post and an effigy of Uncle Sam for interfering in our internal affairs. Having said that, the US is no saint either.

King Cobra: All over the world leaders are expected to maintain a good reputation morally. If a leader's image is badly tarnished, it's time for his hardest-ever struggle to stay relevant and popular among his supporters.

All possible means, including illegal ones, would be utilised in order to stay relevant or popular among the supporters.

Getting the support of the foreign media is one of the best means available nowadays. And the foreign media is ready to unleash their comments anytime, for a quick buck. So, do you think the foreign media really cares about what we are up to here in Malaysia?

Loveforpeace: Sheer democracy for Malaysia is not so healthy. This would give room for some irresponsible politicians to create hatred among the citizens of different races and religions for their personal gain. Therefore, the Sedition Act is the best means to maintain order in this multiracial country. However, the Act must be applied to all in a fair manner.

SSDhaliwal: So far, Obama has been found to be nothing more than a toothless tiger, reluctant to take the bull by its horns - such as his hesitant response in dealing with the IS threat.

It is inevitable that the US will be next on the IS radar. With the TPPA looming and with Obama keen not to ruffle Umno's feathers until it is signed, sealed and delivered, will he act righteously thereafter?

Or is it that a threat by the US to assist the opposition by way of its clandestine organisations is why Najib is even considering, and even on the verge of signing the lopsided TPPA that will be detrimental to our economy?

Forgotten Hero: The American daily is condemning Malaysia's democracy just because of Anwar's unnatural sexual behavior?

Kazakh: They will only be interested if their economic interest is at stake. Otherwise they will only provide lip service to other non-essential things. Let's not kid ourselves that America is interested in democracy. Let us carry out our own fight and be free to dictate our own destiny.

Alexis70: It is a democracy because the government is based on the consent of the people. The majority of Malaysians do not practise LGBT, whose rights are largely unrecognised in Malaysia compared with the US. Justice is not only for big people like Anwar but for every citizen in this country. Let the court reveal the truth.

Vijay47: Democracy in Malaysia may not quite be dead but it is gasping in the intensive care unit and visitors are strictly not allowed.

The road to our survival is simple, yet formidable to achieve - Umno must go. To accomplish this, the Opposition must unite those who are victims to Umno's abuse.

They must be supported while those gullible to election-time promises must be made aware of the bigger picture. The rural side and in particular, Sabah and Sarawak, must be won over.

The mainstream media, the judiciary and the police are indivisible parts of the Umno poison and the only hope are the online portals, with even this small avenue being smothered and coming under increasing restrictions.

Can America, land of the free and home of the brave, be counted on? What did Obama's visit achieve except to lend credence to a regime whose continued rule could perhaps be in America's interests?

We cannot hope for their cavalry to ride in and save the day. Our future and our fortunes lie in our own hands.

Gen2indian: When push comes to shove, the Americans, unlike the (old) Europeans, will always look to protect "the American way of life" which, economically speaking means s****s the rest of the (Third) World. Why else would Obama bother to visit Malaysia but to protect US interests?

Boonpou: The only reason Obama is promoting Malaysia as an example of a truly moderate Muslim country (never mind being one of the longest, managed democracies in the world) is to get it to sign the TPPA, an agreement that has received tonnes of criticism.

Please don't give some much credit and power to Obama or any US president before and after him. The real power in the US in the last few decades, lies with its business corporations. They will be the true beneficiaries of the TPPA should it go through.

Katok Puru: Who cares what the US media thinks or wants? They want to express themselves freely. Go ahead, it's their own country.

I am no big fan of the Malaysian government, but Malaysia is my country and in exercising my freedom of expression, let me tell you, Washington Post, to butt out of the affairs of my country. We can take care of ourselves, thank you.

Dont just talk: A very true analysis by Washington Post that the ongoing persecution of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim is an odious criminal case, for never in the history of Malaysia has such a political leader been hounded like him.

Jesse: Our 'best' democracy is attracting international attention for what it is really - a fake democracy. Our time in the Security Council will attract even greater scrutiny as to what is really happening on the ground at home.

It will be hypocritical if we vote and act differently on the international stage while suppressing freedom at home. We can be proud of being a member of SC but it is a double-edged sword.

Is our Umno Baru-led government two-faced? We will be judged by the international community and free press, which the government cannot restrict or control.

Hopefully we do not end up an international laughing stock. There is a saying: "Beware of what you wish for…"

Where's My Fish: Obama won't say anything, sadly. Too much vested economically in Najib's administration. “I help you, you help me”.

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