YOURSAY | ‘Four chickens in exchange for a vote? How low can you go?’

Goodies galore as caretaker minister slashes grocery prices

Clever Voter: It's the same everywhere, whether in London or Kuala Lumpur, people want discounts or anything that could stretch their dollar.

Politicians know this and they maximise their strategy. We cannot blame them. That's why we have a rule against such acts.

But what do we see - a blatant disregard of the rules by BN. What sort of people are these with less than perfect moral values, seeking re-election?

Hello: This is a caretaker government, so how did the caretaker minister have the authority to change prices?

Indeed, this BN caretaker government simply does what it wants, irrespective of whether it is lawful.

JD Lovrenciear: What kind of political stunt is this? How many of the country's hardcore poor could have benefitted from such sales conducted like this?

Where is our moral compass? What values are we instilling in our society?

On the one hand, you say our economy is sound. But then, you hold publicity-driven stunt sales.

Quigonbond: Because of 1MDB, each Malaysian - even if you are infirm, old, a child - has to potentially fork out RM3,333 or more to pay off its debts. The figure may go up if you include other scandals.

So giving you a few ringgit off here and there creates a feel-good sensation for a day, perhaps two, but they can't keep doing so.

And eventually, the burden will come back in a big way with a further reduction of subsidies, more Goods and Services Tax (GST), et cetera. 

So yes, grab and take and smile at those ministers, but vote wisely.

Mushiro: Do the people of Putrajaya have to wait another five years to see another cheap sale? 

Do incumbent Putrajaya MP Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, caretaker domestic trade, cooperatives, and consumerism minister Hamzah Zainuddin and chief secretary to the government Ali Hamsa think the people can be fooled?

What is the actual message here - that the BN government will conduct such a sale every five years?

Carpe Diem: This is getting ridiculous. And to have the chief secretary to the government, who is technically not a politician but a civil servant, going along with this charade is just too much.

Oscar Kilo: This is nothing but a cheap one-off gimmick. I would like to see the minister do it daily or weekly if he really cares about the people.

But there is no free lunch. Someone has to pay.

RZee: As a taxpayer, I am truly disgusted that my money is being wasted by these politicians to buy votes. And as usual, the Election Commission and judiciary will allow this to continue.

Omar: Give with one hand, take twice as much with the other. These ministers have such a patronising attitude towards the rakyat. 

Four cheap chickens in exchange for a vote? How low can you go?

Madam X: It’s so sad that votes can be bought with groceries. What voters should ask themselves is how such ad hoc attempts to ease the cost of living can be sustained without long-term strategic economic reforms.

Mytake: Give the people cheap chickens, you feed them for a day; equip them with quality education and good opportunities, you feed them for life.

Najib mocks Dr M's 'selamba' denial of jailing opposition, recalls black eye

Trueglitter: Concerned observers are of the opinion that instead of caretaker prime minister Najib Abdul Razak resorting to taking cheap potshots at the widely-respected statesman, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, with his opportunistic-like attacks on the latter’s alleged shortcomings during his 22-year premiership reign, wouldn’t it be more appropriate and civil for the two parties to formally engage in a public debate in the presence of an independent moderator?

Najib and his siblings have been privileged in being exposed to a Western education and it is surprising that he has not suggested the much-needed debates as widely practised by the Western countries, particularly prior to a federal election for the heads of parties to share their thoughts before a public gallery.

Najib’s continuous failures to accept Mahathir’s challenges to “Nothing to Hide” debates would not bode well with him, as apart from being perceived as “chickening out”, he would not able to withstand the ferocity of piercing barrages of allegations involving particularly the 1MDB scandal and litany of abuses of power during his period of premiership.

The unforgiving public is understandably perturbed and disappointed over the legislation of new law against “fake news”.

To quote a wise saying of the Chinese, “The harder you squeeze a cluster of sand in your palm, the faster it will escape between your fingers.”

This affirms the truth that whatever menacing acts of impropriety practised by the BN caretaker government to make the rakyat subservient, they will arise with a stronger vengeance to effect a change of government in the impending election.

Mushiro: Why is this Bugis warrior only daring to take pot shots at Mahathir, but has dared not accept Mahathir's challenge for a debate? Najib would have the opportunity to ask Mahathir any question, including the question on Internal Security Act detainees.

Why is Umno's hero only bold enough to question Mahathir behind his back? And why has Najib not answered former minister Rafidah Aziz on the military land fiasco?

Capo: Najib, if Pakatan Harapan de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim received a black eye during Mahathir's time, why did you not protest then?

Why was a nearly 70-year-old Anwar thrown into prison again on fabricated charges? Is it because he was a threat to you?

I salute Mahathir for working smart and hard to save our country, while you are bent on burning it to the ground.

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