‘Mr Ambassador, thank you for speaking up’

comments     Yoursay     Published     Updated

YOURSAY ‘But we all know that no nation has monopoly on flash democracy.’

 

Najib's U-turn puzzles US, says envoy

   

Ferdtan: Now, even United States ambassador to Malaysia Joseph Y Yun has added his comment to the Sedition Act issue.

 

To say that he was puzzled by Prime Minister Najib Razak's decision to back track and retain the Act is a telling point.

 

In the past, the United States, especially President Barack Obama, did not seem to be concerned with human rights issues in Malaysia. Why now?

 

Is it that Obama is not walking the talk as he always touched on democracy in his speeches? Or was he tied down by diplomatic protocols that a commander-in-chief cannot offend a so-called friendly country?

 

We just hope Ambassador Yun and Vice-President Joe Biden will keep their chief informed.

 

As for Foreign Minister Anifah Aman, your honeymoon is over. You had it easy in the past but now the crunch has come.

 

Maybe you can call back at great costs to taxpayers’ money, your Washington lobbyists to reverse/balance the setback caused by Biden’s damaging tweets.

 

Bash: Mr Ambassador, but Malaysia is really unique and different from the rest of the modern world.

 

U-turns and roundabouts are common in politics here. Thank you for voicing your puzzlement. We have asked the same questions but receive no answers.

 

Hmmmmmmmm: If I remember correctly, your president was busy taking selfies with our beloved prime minister when he was here.

 

We didn't hear any criticism of any policy then. Please forgive us for thinking that he was actually abetting and emboldening our beloved PM.

 

Angry Citizen: Thank you Mr Ambassador for speaking up. When good men don't speak up, then the evil ones amongst us are emboldened.

 

I can see this country being dragged into the dark ages but the rakyat shall not be dragged there without a fight.

 

Coleman_cut: Mr US ambassador, please abolish your Patriot Act before suggesting the Malaysian government abolish its Sedition Act.

 

Jenglot: Mr Ambassador, we Malaysians are more puzzled and confused with the US Patriot Act which also applies to 'suspected' terrorists picked up from all over the world, tortured - under special rendition programme - and thrown into Guantanamo without trial, some even for 10 years. Is that what you call democracy?

 

Kingfisher: Yes, Mr Ambassador, go tell “Sparta ... sorry ... Obama" that no nation has a monopoly on false democracy and that the world has its share of false democrats.

 

Globalisation, while fostering an enabling environment for distribution of development amongst the community of nations has, in its wake, unwittingly perhaps, also seemed to have engendered false and even fraudulent democracies.

 

Balachan Cili: Mr Ambassador, you want a "lively" debate on the Sedition Act? You must be joking. Don't you know that debate is not our country's culture? In case you don't know, go and ask our great leader.

 

Unmasked: Dear Ambassador Yun, if you put your ear closer to the ground, you will hear shouts of approval and a standing ovation by Umno supporters when the prime minister announced the retention and strengthening of the Sedition Act. Don't pretend to be puzzled.

 

Argonist: Will the US government consider slapping sanctions on this prime minister and his cohorts like it did to President Vladimir Putin and gang in Russia?

 

The apartheid-like practices of the Malaysian government are widely known to the world and still, the US wants to shake hands with such policymakers.

 

Multi Racial: Earlier, only Malaysians are aware of their flip-flop PM. Now, the international community knows about it.

 

So, whatever Najib announces, you just have to take it with a pinch of salt. After all, he will flip or flop again.

 

Fellow Malaysian: Mr Joseph Yun, please don't complain too much as the US ambassador.

 

When Obama was here two months ago, he did not have the nerve nor the courage to take on Najib and tell him off for bullying the opposition and making sly claims in the name of democracy.

 

The US government has lost its right to express its concerns over Najib's move in revitalising this heinous Act.

 

For the sake of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, which came so dear to Obama that he had to make a trip here, Biden's and Yun's much belated concerns are just eyewash expressions in the name of defending democracy.

 

Fair Play: Whether we like it or not, when US Ambassador to Malaysia Joseph Y Yun spoke, he spoke on behalf of his country - the most powerful nation on Earth.

 

Coming just after US Vice-President Joe Biden's tweet, we all can draw our own conclusion.

Damntlwbn: I think a bunch of butt dancers will protest in front of the US Embassy soon. Isma, Perkasa and what not may burn the Uncle Sam’s flag as this is what they are good at.

 

Anon1: Your Excellency, please ensure that you remain indoors at all time as a mob is being organised now to either slaughter chickens (not for chicken rice, mind you), chant "pendatang" at your place of residence (albeit mistakenly), or to demand that a deportation order back to China (yes, mistakenly again) be issued immediately.

 

James_3392: Nothing to puzzle about, ambassador. You will slowly get used to it. In Malaysia, we call this flip-flop.


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