YOURSAY | 'Only a coward will avoid facing tough questions from reporters.'
Let's have 'Nothing to Hide 3', Mahathir dares Najib
Anonymous 2436471476414726: Many a leader in other countries would have stepped down, or be forced to step down, for a much lesser scandal.
In Malaysia, it appears that a kleptocrat is revered like a demigod. And Malaysia is supposed to be a Muslim country.
In Korea, the president was ousted on charges of corruption committed by her close friend. In Thailand, the prime minister was overthrown and charged in court for being negligent in a rice scheme. Both countries are non-Muslim.
When will Malaysians see corruption and kleptocracy as evil and the doer be held accountable? There should be zero tolerance for such acts, no matter who commits them.
Leaders, oh leaders, know thee that you have to lead by example - good example, that is - otherwise our country is surely doomed.
Anonymous 242641505703475: A true leader will not be shy to debate on any issue under the sun. Only a coward will avoid facing tough questions from reporters.
I admire Umno leaders Khairy Jamaluddin and Ahmad Shabery Cheek who dared to engage in debates. Why shy away from thrashing it out at a public forum?
In the US, presidential election debates are held. In the UK Parliament, debate is a common feature. Even in Singapore Parliament, debates are common. Why is it different here?
If there is nothing to hide, then there is nothing to hide! If there is something to hide, reports would be placed under the Official Secrets Act (OSA).
Victor Johan: Dr Mahathir Mohamad, at 92 years, may be an old man but he certainly is not struggling to get to the podium to speak, for example at the Nothing to Hide 2.0 at Shah Alam and the session at Padang Timor in Petaling Jaya recently.
Obviously, PM Najib Razak wouldn't dare to take the offer from Mahathir, or any other opposition leader, to an open debate or forum.
Anonymous Kitty: Tell Najib if 1MDB is doing so great, please come and tell all. Nothing to hide, right?
Kingfisher: This repeated and constant “dare debate” to our PM and his single “PM platform” efforts at ridiculing his detractors have become quite a debating topic in itself among many Malaysians.
Admittedly, this is spewing out quite some unnecessary reciprocal mudslinging among and against top Malay leaders, if not the leadership in general.
There are those who think this turn of events will create an unfavourable notoriety for failing leadership effectiveness and moral uprightness among the dominant community.
And there are others who think such a conflict catharsis and consequent character assassination may actually foster and establish within the community a long-term awareness and proper indicators for accountable and responsible leadership.
Much may seem to be at stake, but our young nation is hopefully rational and resilient to come out of this “no debate” situation in the interest of the nation and not individuals.
Vijay47: Najib will certainly agree to Nothing to Hide 3. It would be as real as Nothing to Hide 1 and Nothing to Hide 2.
Point-by-point rebuttal of Najib's broadside
Anonymous: Dr M should boldly admit that despite all the positive contributions to the country, he is also the author of all the avenues and conduits that are being used by current politicians.
I suppose if he can do that, he will earn much more respect and credibility to win over even the staunchest supporters from the other side and the fence sitters.
He should acknowledge that when Pak Lah (Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) won the historic landslide, it was not entirely because Pak Lah was super popular but the rakyat was sending a strong message to the previous PM.
Spinnot: "It is the foreign media which repeatedly and extensively published Malaysia as among the 10 most corrupt countries here, here, here, here and here, to name a few."
I read the information in the five links provided by Mahathir, but none of them says Malaysia is among the 10 most corrupt countries.
The first link (Time) talks about 1MDB scandal. The second link (Rakyat Post), though titled "Malaysia in top 10 most corrupt developing countries", actually is about illicit capital outflows from developing countries in 2012. The article lists Malaysia among the top 10 developing countries for illicit capital outflows. (But not all illicit outflows relate to corruption.)
The third link (Global Financial Integrity) is also about illicit capital outflows from developing countries. The fourth link (The Guardian) is mostly about 1MDB scandal.
The fifth link (The Sun Daily) is actually titled "Malaysia ranked 54 among 168 countries in the Corruption Perceptions Index".
Corruption is rampant in Malaysia (it has been since Mahathir era), but Malaysia has never been among the 10 most corrupt countries.
Not Convinced: Yeah, we are not among the 10 most corrupt nations in the world. Now, I can sleep easy.
Quigonbond: There is an interesting reference to allowing demonstrations. If Mahathir had his choice, he wouldn't have allowed them.
Prior to any major gathering like Bersih, the police will be out to dissuade, discourage and threaten arrests and turning a legitimate right into a purported criminal act.
But people persisted and rallied peacefully. Now he uses that and says he "allowed" demonstrations? What a laugh.
Anonymous 706151436780066: Many of Mahathir’s rebuttals and complaints of Najib’s government were exactly the same offences that Mahathir himself committed, lest he forgets.
Najib learned well from his predecessors, especially in the skills of cheating in elections, abusing his power and abuse of public funds to benefit the position of the dominant party, Umno.
Norman Fernandez: Yes, how apt. I thought he was referring to the allegations against himself. Twenty-two years was enough time to unravel the country and he well succeeded.
JD Lovrenciear: If truly the mainstream media chieftains are truthful to their families and loved ones and uphold patriotism to the letter, they should live up to the call of journalistic duty by publishing in their respective media this point-by-point rebuttal by Mahathir.
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