The mace attack on Dr Mahathir Mohamad in Kota Baru on Sunday will hopefully prompt him to advice the present government to use non-violent ways when dealing with dissent, says one reader while another says that due respect should be given to Dr M due to his age and stature. The prime minister's son-in-law Khairy Jamaludin's behavior at the periphery of the recent Asean meet also draws in the comments with a suggestion to send him to the Middle East.

On Spray attack aimed at 'silencing' Dr M

Suria Kenchana: A distinguished and elderly statesman like Dr Mahathir must always be well protected as much as being handled with care and kindness.

It should not be a matter of whether you agree with him all the time or not but a matter of giving the due respect he deserves for having led our country for 22 years with dedication and being able to bring the nation to the attention of the global community.

YSM: Tun Mahathir says this is not the Malaysian way. 'We are non-violent' he says. May I remind him that the former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim was 'kidnaped' from his home by armed men in masks and on the night of his arrest was karate chopped and beaten to a pulp by the then IGP in the headquarters of the Royal Malaysian Police.

He was left to die without any medical assistance. He came out of that with a black eye and a damaged back. This is not the Malaysian way? Just because he has not experienced something like that does not mean it never happens in Malaysia.

Thousands of innocent Malaysians are beaten up, sprayed with chemical-laced water cannons and roughed up by the FRU unit of the Royal Malaysian Police even though they have the right to peaceful assembly as guaranteed by the Federal Constitution of Malaysia.

I am now beginning to wonder if perhaps the spray was 'self inflicted?'

Joseph Paul: My sympathies go to Dr Mahathir on being at the receiving end of a chemical spray attack. Indeed, I share his disappointment because, as he is reported to have said, 'this is not our way (of expressing dissent in Malaysia) ... where people are not violent'.

My only regret is that during his heyday at the pinnacle of power, he had not impressed upon our Federal Riot Police (FRU) on the need to act according to our Malaysian way.

Perhaps now, with the benefit of a small taste of his own medicine, he would like to offer some advice our authorities - as he is wont to do - on the importance responding to dissent in a non- violent manner.

Kaisim: People often say that in politics there are no permanent friends and enemies. They say something to please the crowd just like telling people what they love to hear. Politicians can promise the sky and very soon they forget what they have said especially during an election campaign.

Our former PM also said he would not interfere with the new government under Pak Lah. Now, look what is happening?

From what I see, more things are coming out and getting worse. Quite true, he may not be the PM but he can always put his puppets there and control them at his whim and fancy.

SMY: Was the gathering in Kota Baru an illegal assembly? Much like those in 1998? Or like the many peaceful gatherings at the court house or at Sogo? Or at KLCC?

I think Mahathir's gathering at the airport was an illegal assembly and so the Special Branch decided to use their pepper spray which they so often use on opposition groups.

Dear Mahathir, welcome to opposition politics ...

On Dr M: Malaysia did nothing as OIC chair

BOLH: 'Malaysia did nothing as OIC chair', so says Mahathir. In any case when did the OIC do anything for Malaysia anyway in its hours of need except to send over a few Arab tourists?

During the tsunami in 2004, not a single Arab country took the initiative to come to the aid of the affected countries while the immediate response of the West that helped to save many lives and this response came within hours.

Reaction from the Arab countries came almost a week later when one Arab country decided to donate US$10m, a sum equivalent to one donated by Michael Schumacher, the F1 racer.

It is downright shameful. All I can see is that OIC is nothing more than a showpiece.

On Khairy serah memo bantahan kepada Rice

MSY: The rakyat's protest against the fuel price hike was a lot more peaceful than Khairy's show on Friday. I understand that the rowdy group led by Khairy, the PM's son-in-law, did not have a police permit.

Why were they not arrested? Why were they not sprayed with chemical-laced water from FRU's water cannons? Why were the safety and security of foreign dignitaries attending the Asean meeting compromised by this group?

Dr Raj: I think the Royal Malaysian Police have double standards. One is assembly by politicians' family members and the other an assembly by the rakyat. Which do you think can get ugly with batons flying and arrests made?

Another 'sandiwara' by Khairy. Doesn't seem to reflect the overseas education he received, behaving like a 'jaguh kampung'.

If he really doesn't have the patience, he should be given a gun and sent to the Middle East to fight. Please don' display your bravery here, the enemies are not here, Khairy ...

Go, Khairy go! The taxpayers will pay for your flight, don't worry!

Truth.8: I remember sometimes back when Malaysian flag was burned by a Muslim country (Indonesia) and this provoked Malaysian citizens and immediately the Malaysian government demanded an apology from the Indonesia Government. In fact, if I am not mistaken, Dato Najib said it is not proper things to do. But Malaysian citizens burning flags of other countries is now a proper things to do?

Malaysians burned the flag of America when US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visited recently. Does this sound fair? Can America or Israel do the same by burning the Malaysian flag and effigies of Malaysian leaders? Surely this will provoke Malaysian citizens, right?

No wonder our ex-PM says Khairy is still young and needs to learn a lot. With his behavior he showed his immaturity by not respecting our honorable guest in Malaysia and worse, injecting hatred of to America and Israel by burning the flags of their country. Does this sound like a proper things to do?

Before we point our finger at others, see within ourselves for our wrongdoings first. One finger points at others but four fingers point back at us.

On Zam wants internet, websites to be controlled

Devan: The Minister has shown his ignorance on the power of the Internet, and the modern age he is currently living with. His regressive steps to muzzle press freedom would not stop any information from reaching the desk of a reader.

Thinking that by muzzling, he could sweep all the information under the carpet is a utter nonsense and foolish idea.

We need to understand that there are so many ways and means news could reach the audience. It is not only via malaysiakini. The minister has no ability to stop each and every news that reach the people. Does he?

Whenever this kind of thing takes place the easy way of out for our authority is to curtail or have a total ban or an 'Operasi Lalang'. This is not an intellectual way to solve things.

Today, we have been informed of so many issues. And this beyond the control of any minister or authority.

Thus, instead thinking about controlling the press freedom, we must strive to uphold positive values and try not to violate the norms of the society.

Ibnu Hakeem: Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin's contention that the government must control the Internet and websites to curb the spread of rumours and news that can harm racial unity in the country is farcical considering that there is no way the Government can control web content that originates from outside the country.

But it is correct for Zam to say that stern warning must be issued and action taken against rumour-mongers for causing problems to the extent of disturbing public order.

Whether Internet based or not, rumour mongering is a serious offence and must be curbed.

Lee Yew Meng: When absurd views offered by personalities are published, it serves to inform, educate and amuse readers (of the absurdities offered).

However, there is another point of view; that is, it can cause some people with equally absurd views to think they are right (after all, it is uttered by a cabinet member).

And even worse, the originator thinks he has made a very pertinent point! So, perhaps we can sometimes just ignore the ludicrous remarks. These people suffer most when they think they are irrelevant'.

On DAP's 'race relations forum' aborted

PT Tan: The Article 11 forums should be allowed to be played out to its fullest.

The best way the government can ensure that we grow up as a nation is to allow full play to it, at the same time on standby to arrest and throw all into jail if they step out of line.

That is if the speakers incite hatred and riots and also those who riot. No excuses, no exceptions. Do not just arrest and charge the leaders, but all who incite and participate in any illegal assembly.

On Dr M's ex-aide: PM must explain KJ's millions

SHK: While Matthias Chang is right to ask for Khairy Jamaludin's source of funds, he should also inquire of his former boss the details of loans and other financial assistance obtained by

his progeny which enabled them to become millionaires in a very short time frame.

On Forex scandal: Jaffar 'knew about losses'

Unknown Economist: If Bank Negara lost RM30 billion between 1992 to 1994, I believe it had lost much more than that when it tried to defend the short selling of the Malaysian currency by rogue traders from the Big Apple during the 1997 to 1998 Asian Financial Crisis.

After reading George Soros' book called The Theory of Reflexivity in October 1997 where he took credit for the demise of the Russian economy and the onslaught of the British pound, I told my friends during a seminar cruise from LA to Mexico that the Malaysian currency would devalue to RM4 to the US dollar and my prediction came true.

Further massive losses were incurred when the stock market devalued by 90% due to short selling thanks to the then finance minister who legalised it in time for the 'attack'. Credit must be given to the Prime Minister Dr M who took decisive action to stop the currency trading and thus saved the country from chaos like what happened to Thailand and Indonesia that suffered similar attacks.

I just wondered why Mr Anwar Ibrahim legalised 'short selling' and also why the US Secretary of State, Madeline Albright sang 'Don't cry for me, Aseania ...' in Singapore just before the attack? Interesting eh?

On Suhakam prepares for 'Bloody Sunday' inquiry

Freedom To Talk: For the past many demonstrations against the fuel price hike that were held in KL, none were mentioned in our mainstream newspapers. Even if they did, it was minimal and subject to government approval.

What happened that weekend at KLCC should have been handled in very Malaysian manner. We are known as humble and well-mannered people. That is why we call and label ourselves as 'Truly Asian'.

All humans have the right to address their dissatisfaction over any matter. I would say the event that 'Bloody Sunday' weekend was harmless. So, why must the police attack and injure civilians? Do they have the right to hurt anyone? Just because they are the police and wear uniforms, they have the legal right to hurt? Why?

If the demonstrators were armed injured the police, I would understand that the police had the right to protect themselves but this is not what happened.

Here we are complaining about Israel attacking Lebanon and the so many Lebanese injured. Look at the Malaysian police, they are not far behind the Israelis in cruelty.

Shame on you, Malaysian police.

On Hamdan: Land rights commission needed

Baru Bian: I am in total agreement with the proposal of forming a Land Commission to look into land disputes as made by Prof Hamdan. In fact, I was just discussing this possibility with a group of experts who came through Kuching yesterday, as it pertains to native customary rights over land in Sarawak (NCR).

I think it is timely because through my experiences in dealing with this issue, there are only two options available for natives to take when it comes to land disputes; have it determined in a native court or in a civil court.

The former is only possible if both parties are natives whereas the latter comes about when a native sues a non-native over such rights. In both cases, it takes years for the matter to be resolved.

Setting up a Land Commission with the legal powers to determine such rights would not only expedite the determination of the land owner but it allows accessibility for the poorer natives to have his case heard before a proper tribunal.

On Sabah CM's promise on Sipadan Island

GA: It is reassuring to know that no concrete buildings will be erected on Pulau Sipadan. Perhaps Datuk Seri Musa might be able to use timber from the Malua forest reserve to build the clubhouse and sewerage facilities there.

Hugo Pikbrain: Musa said: 'Only divers' resting facilities, Sabah Park staff quarters and a sewerage system would likely be constructed on the island ....'

After the following earlier sad news , are we supposed to still believe this incompetents are competent enough to do the job right?

On Muslim summit to call for ceasefire in Mideast

Fatt Thiu Cheong: Quote: 'The Indonesian government strongly condemns this criminal act, which goes beyond humanity,' a government statement read by foreign affairs spokesman Desra Percaya said.

How many people did the Indonesian army butcher in East Timor and Irian Jaya?

On Suspend pest-control contract, MPSJ told

PT Tan: A cost of RM10 pest control job touted as RM600?

Looks like the only pests that they need to get rid of is in the town council.