Khairy Jamaluddin should follow in the footsteps of his father-in-law who said that if he was wrong about Scomi, he would apologise, says a reader.

On PM wants to know: Did Scomi get gov't contracts?

MO8: Encik Khairy Jamaluddin should follow in the footsteps of his father-in-law who said that if he was wrong about Scomi, he would apologise. But first, he wanted a report from Scomi. That is the spirit of a leader. If he is wrong, he will apologise; otherwise, no.

Here, we see a different trait in his son-in-law. He fails to understand history. MCA, when Umno was judged an illegal party, could have usurped power and taken full control of the government! But, MCA did not do so. Instead, it voted with the other component parties to re-admit Umno into BN. This was an act of integrity; and not one which took advantage over a weak, troubled Umno.

Gerakan, too, had come out with statistics about the composition of staff in the Water Supply Agency. Facts do not lie. Balik Pulau residents may want to retain their kampong-style lifestyle, so little development could take place since they object.

On Liow to Umno Youth: It's not over yet!

IL: I'm interested to see the next course of action the hopeless MCA will take to defend the onslaught of Umno thugs towards the targeted Chinese community. I suggest that for once MCA would start to do something for the Chinese rather than feeding on their personal greed. To be frank, I am really sick and tired of these selfish politicians who treat us like fools and directed this stage-show in order to promote themselves.

At the end of the day, we will neither see improvement nor better relationship between the Malays and Chinese but more rights of the minority ethnic groups taken away as usual. MCA, I hope to see some real action from you rather than mere talk.

Ah Chong: I think the leaders of this country and maybe the information minister should explain to post-Merdeka Malaysians once and for all how pursuing the cause of Umno, its struggle for Malay rights and the perpetuating of Ketuanan Melayu will maintain the unity of the BN. Many young Malaysians are beginning to see that the goals are not necessary one and the same. The prime minister being the president of Umno and the leader of Malaysia has to consistently play the balancing act and appease all the races.

In some sense, Khairy's remark is not far from wrong and makes sense when you study the BN formula. Each component party is race-based and is there to safeguard the interest of their own community. Therefore, when one is weak, the other will stand to gain assuming that there is one and the same cake. As long as you do not see the poor as poor Malaysians or the down-trodden as down-trodden Malaysians, weak and oppressed irregardless of race; communal politics will always divide and divide as it has in the last 49 years. It's time for change.

On Widening divide dampens Merdeka spirit

Sangkancil: I am sad, really sad, that YB Idris Haron, Malacca's Tangga Batu MP and Umno Youth exco member think that the controversial Khairy's statement was wise. You are wrong Idris! How on earth can you encourage MCA and MIC Youth leaders to make similar statements? BN components parties are supposed to be partners, come rain or shine.

Are you trying to say by asking the respective component party leaders making statements that the other communities cannot be trusted is a good way of getting their own members united?

May I suggest to all voters to reject any politicians (ruling or opposition) in the coming general election who harp on racial and religious politics. Remember, we the voters, are the bosses not the politicians.

On Hisham: Keris, kung fu sword all okay!

Nicole Tan: Great, now we probably have our MCA Youth chief, Liow Tiong Lai, waving a Chinese sword or even wielding a nunchaku (albeit Japanese) for better effect. Anyway, that is besides the point.

I don't understand why there is a need to use a violence-related object or weapon as a symbol. Do away with rhetoric spiced up by racial sentiments and threats of aggression. As long as we still have political parties fighting for a particular race, a truly harmonious and united Malaysia is but an unachievable dream. In the meantime, don't worry, be happy.

On Mahathir: Democracy in Umno is dead

Truly Malaysian: Democracy has been dead since his entrance in Umno if memory saves us right. I really feel sorry for this guy. I think he is trying to make amends to his wrongdoings while he was in power by approaching these methods.

Today, we can acknowledge the fact that he had failed to achieve what he had set out to do so he is back to his old rhetoric of gaining support from the public. He must realise that the public has changed and the motivation is not solely monetary and fame.

Trust me, this guy had great visions but with the wrong peers. It is such a pity that he has to stoop down to such theatrical display of influencing various segment of the society to gain support.

He knows better than most - the Malaysian society is a forgiving lot and what is today is forgotten tomorrow, and life moves on. As a Malaysian, I think the responsibility lies on each one of us as a Malaysian community irrespective of our origin and that we do what is best for the society without much rhetoric but to our beliefs as it has been in the case of many individuals with least amount of rhetoric.

On Salient points of Budget 2007

Vincent: The tax rebate of RM500 for personal computers was actually abolished and it was replaced by the tax relief of RM3,000.

The tax relief, in fact, gives less tax saving to the taxpayers. Reason: Rebate is deducted against the tax amount while the relief is deducted against income.

Base on the tax rate schedule which is in increasing order, individual with income/profit of RM30,000 will probably enjoy a tax saving of RM210 only while those with income/profit of RM60,000 will enjoy a tax saving of up to RM390 only. To enjoy a tax saving of more than RM500, one has to have income/profit of at least approximately RM61,000.