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Key Highlights
PKR sizzles, DAP singes
Anwar, Putin, and a jet shot down
Malay dignity vs hypocrisy
PKR sizzles, DAP singes
As the political heat in PKR cranked up like a malfunctioning stove, DAP found itself getting singed, prompting a disgruntled DAP lawmaker to grill up an analogy about kitchen fires and fire extinguishers being pointed in entirely the wrong direction.
The “friendly fire” sparked when PKR MP Wong Chen took a nostalgic stroll down memory lane, recalling the days when opposition parties ran on shoestring budgets, only to now see them in hotel ballrooms as part of the government.
The Subang MP bemoaned the rise of a “rotten political culture” and “money politics,” claiming both made an unwelcome appearance during the election season in DAP and PKR.
However, his DAP counterpart Wong Shu Qi insisted the party hadn’t lost touch with its roots, noting that their last national congress took place at a convention centre in Shah Alam, “which isn’t exactly the Ritz”.
Referencing the upcoming PKR central leadership elections, the Kluang MP conceded that polls tend to raise the temperature but cautioned against “aiming the fire extinguisher at neighbours when the kitchen gets hot”.
“Elections are intense, we get it. But as friends in the same coalition, we’d prefer not to be caught in friendly fire when we’re just minding our own business,” she added.
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Anwar, Putin, and a jet shot down
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, currently on an official visit to Russia, revealed that President Vladimir Putin has demanded a thorough, comprehensive, and non-politicised investigation into the tragic downing of MH17.
But while Anwar engaged with global leaders on the world stage, back home, he is facing fierce criticism.
Urimai chairperson P Ramasamy accused the prime minister of lacking moral courage and condemned his approach as weak.
On Tuesday, it was reported that the Australian and Dutch governments have each issued separate statements that the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) council had ruled that Russia is responsible for shooting down MH17, and will consider appropriate reparations in the coming weeks.
The aircraft was shot down en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on July 17, 2014, while travelling through eastern Ukraine, where Ukrainian forces were fighting Russian-backed separatists.
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Malay dignity vs hypocrisy
Zaid Ibrahim has warned that the upcoming May 24 rally, organised by Malay and Islamic NGOs, risks descending into an “embarrassing” spectacle fueled by exaggerated claims of threats to race and religion.
Calling for a resolute and clear message, the former law minister declared: “Malay dignity can only be restored by an honest examination of the hypocrisy of our leaders and a willingness to embrace new values of leadership.”
Beyond demanding a sweeping overhaul of “Malay-led institutions” such as the MACC and the Attorney-General’s Chambers, Zaid stressed that the business interests of the Malay rulers must align with the Constitution, adhere to ethical standards of transparency, and be free from any conflicts of interest.
He underscored the urgent need for Malay-led political parties to produce credible leaders capable of reassuring the multiracial population that the new government will be fair to all races and committed to their safety.
Zaid concluded that the rally must highlight the full promise of Malaysia - “a country free of Mafia operators and where law and order rule”.
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Views that matter
 | By R Nadeswaran |
 | By V Ganabatirau |
 | By R Paneir Selvam |
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