‘If Japan's Nissan can employ a Brazilian as its CEO and turn the loss-making concern to a profitable one, why not the same initiative in Malaysia?'

On PKNS - 'Get the best person for the job'

Jordan Tan: Mahathir himself said a big section of Malaysian population have a Stone Age mentality.

The present objection to the head of PKNS being from a particular race is one manifestation of this mentality.

We have to wake up to the fact that this world has opened up. If Japan's Nissan can employ a Brazilian as its CEO and turn the loss-making concern to a profitable one, why not the same initiative in Malaysia?

Malaysia is not progressing as it should because we have refused to use our most valuable asset - the space between our ears.

He who will not reason is a bigot,

He who cannot reason is a fool,

He who dares not reason is a slave.

How far can Malaysia go if her people continue to choose being a slave to racial bondage?

Shukor:

Umno just doesn't want to accept the signal given by the voters during the March 2008 GE. Are there any hidden agendas in protesting Low's appointment?

Please remember that you, Umno, were given more than 50 years to develop the state but yet so many error here and there.

So please give other people a chance no matter what race he or she is. After some time, you too can evaluate and comment.

Dian Abdullah:

For any organisation to be successful and profitable you need a CEO or general manager who has the interests of the company. These two go hand-in-hand.

Business is business, religion is religion and race is race. When you mix them all up, disaster will occur. Track record and past history cannot lie. Make a list of all the Malaysian entities that had to be rescued from bankruptcy.

This country has gone down the drain and it can only be rescued by people who are capable, committed and dedicated no matter what their race.

Danny:

I am truly disappointed over this issue. Our Malay friends will agree with us that the best brains should be given the opportunity to head PKNS and only Umno will be against it.

Why is Umno racist ? I don't understand. Only people like Khir Toyo will protest over this appointment.

Come on, Khir Toyo, please do not discriminate against your fellow Malaysian's capabilities. A hardworking and intelligent person regardless of race and religion should be allowed to come up in life.

We have to change for good. Distance your self from politics.

On Ali Rustam: Umno must dictate government policy

Shock18:

Dear Ali Rustam, Umno has always been dictating policy - but it has gotten you nowhere because the policies are meant to benefit only a selected few of the bumiputera.

If after 40 years of NEP nothing is achieved, maybe the government should let go and let someone else, someone who can be more effective.

And mind you, GLCs are not meant to benefit the Malays only - they are meant to benefit the nation.

And if you think that the GLC's are meant to benefit the Malays only, you have no right to be in government

On New CJ vows action against errant judges

Datuk Param Cumaraswamy: The new Chief Justice Zaki Azmi has warned errant judges that he would take stern measures against them to improve the image of the judiciary.

While this sounds like a step forward, he must remember as chief justice that he cannot be seen to be acting against such judges singlehandedly.

Judges once appointed are entitled to all the insulations provided for under the constitution to protect their independence.

One such insulation is security of tenure. They, too, are entitled to justice for whatever alleged misconduct and hence the right to due process.

The chief justice, if he seriously wants to reform and improve the image of the institution, must address all the weaknesses in the administration of justice.

He must first call for the restoration of the judicial power of the courts under Article 121 of the Constitution.

Among other reforms needed in addition to the judicial appointments commission is the need for a judicial complaints commission to deal with complaints against judges. The present procedure under Article 125 (only meant for removal) is too cumbersome.

In any event, in no circumstances should the power of judicial discipline be vested in just one person like the chief justice however eminent he maybe.

It must be borne in mind that the chief justice is just the first among equals in the system. He should not be seen as having disciplinary powers over his equals. ( The writer is former UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers ).

On Anwar's 'mega-projects' motion: Speaker defers decision

G-man:

I think the present government has somewhat lost focus on what its priorities are. The focus here should be on the economy and also the welfare of the people - not some broadband project or any defence initiatives.

These mega-projects are not really needed at this time and will only serve to benefit a select few who have already been 'gifted' with these projects. Away with these projects, I say.

I also agree with the opposition that the entire government procurement processes should be reviewed and audited by an independent party to ensure it is done in a manner that reflects best cost of ownership.

It is, after all, our money paid to the government via taxes, so it is our right to question.

The PAC is a joke and its findings are indeed questionable. What's the point of such a committee when it has already has lost its integrity in the eyes of the people?

On Backbenchers rap Penang's multi-lingual road signs

JKS:

We should all do our part to remind Utusan Malaysia and Umno that Bahasa Malaysia/ Bahasa Melayu is still placed prominently on top on the Penang road signs. This is shown in a picture here .

There is no question of ‘downgrading' the national language.

Adding other language to the road signs is a tourist ‘gimmick' to enhance the ‘sense of connection' and historical ambience for the foreign spenders, to urge them to return and to recommend Malaysia to other tourists.

The non-BM street names recall the cultural, economic and historical significance of these places such as the ‘stone-breakers street' (Lebuh Aceh), ‘lacquerers' street' (Bishop), ‘warehouse street' (Pantai), ‘cattle pen' (Chulia), ‘Japanese' (Cintra), ‘salted fish' (Prangin) and firewood yard (part of Maxwell). Please see here .

The only constraints should be cost, clarity and safety. For example, will additional signs in Chinese, Indian and Arabic languages hinder traffic view and get blown onto the street during strong winds?

This is cultural icing on the Malaysian cake. I hope our Malay brothers can view it as that.

On Coming soon: Fatwa on yoga

Kumar14:

Well, this seems to be a very sensitive issue with the worry of a clash of beliefs high in the air.

Anyway, as much as Yoga's essences are universal, it's also something to ponder that the practice is a manner of movement closely related to the natural behaviour and adaptation of the human body.

It's so well accepted throughout the different continents, communities and lifestyles because it brings the human body, mind and soul closer to what unites all life forms on Earth and that is nature.

And by that, I belief that though all religions have their roots planted in different soils throughout the globe, they are all still linked to Earth, which is only ‘one'.

So I would say that a better interpretation of yoga and its practice, objective and outcome should be sought first instead of branding it with religion.

Doraisamy:

Please lay your hands off from yoga. If you national fatwa council members feel that the yoga practice belongs to Hinduism, let it be.

We (Hindus) never invited other races or religions to practice yoga or practice our Hindu religion.

Don't get into habit of trying to make other people (or other races) feel uncomfortable with the government.

On Malaysian wildlife on the way out

JJ: As a proud Malaysian, I am saddened by news reports that animals found in Malaysia are even more in danger of extinction than ever before.

I was also surprised to find out that the Sambar deer - rusa - is now considered ‘Vulnerable' by the IUCN and I understand that the government in Malaysia still allows this deer to be hunted.

It's amazing how we take no heed of these warnings and permit the deer to be hunted knowing that the species is in trouble. When will we stop? When there are no more deer in the forest?

Why can't the government take international alerts as a sign to stop allowing the hunting of deer legally and invest time and effort into going after animal poachers instead?

I hope the natural resources and environment ministry and the wildlife and forestry departments do something about our deer now - after all, it is a natural resource and part of the environment, which we proudly boast in our tourism advertisements both locally and abroad.

If nothing is done to protect it now, how can the government expect ordinary people to do anything? Isn't it time we tell the world that our wildlife is safe?