Readers respond to Anything but politics: 30 mins with Marina Mahathir

Aminah RS: I wish to congratulate Fauwaz Abdul Aziz for conducting the interview with Marina Mahathir.

Even since she stepped down as president of the Malaysia Aids Council, Marina has not been in the public spotlight. So the interview was timely.

I have a lot of respect for Marina, not because she is the daughter of a former prime minister but as a person.

Fauwaz is correct in describing Marina as a good natured, friendly person with down-to-earth demeanour. I would like to add that even as the First Daughter, Marina was never a snob. Neither did she ever put on airs, like we see many others who are a little more fortunate than many other people.

I do not know her personally but from what I've observed and read about her, Marina projects the image of a well-defined woman. She handles her private and public life in a very professional manner.

I suppose being born to the famous Mahathir family, Marina should have been taught well by her parents on how to carry herself through life. Than again, many other children of famous families had fallen by the wayside. Not Marina though!

Many people must have thought that Marina would have followed her father and brothers into the political arena. Strangely, she did not.

Perhaps, she should now that her father is no longer in power. For her experiences in a high-powered political family, her work in voluntary, non-profit organisations and her understanding of national issues, Marina will make a good legislator.

She has been following political developments in the country as 'close' as anyone could get when her father was PM and now that her father has become critical of the government.

I believe it does not matter whether she is in the BN or opposition. She has to choose which side she is comfortable with. Her most important agenda is to continue to contribute towards national progress and societal wellbeing.

I feel Marina will make a good politician because at her level, we can all rest assured that should she decide to enter politics, she is not there for any monetary or personal benefits. She is not left wanting financially and she is well known enough without having to be in the political limelight.

I believe Malaysia will be better with professional, caring and dedicated women like her taking an active part in the political life of the country.

An Afghan's admiration for Marina's dad

Rafiq Safa:

It was a very nice and interesting interview with (Mdm) Marina Mahathir. Congratulations.

The next time you get a chance to talk to her, please enquire from her why politics is such a dirty practice? Marina could give us an insight into that issue since she is from a political family.

Today, the world admires Marina's father, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, because he gave another dimension to politics. On the issues of Islam and terrorism too, he shines like a beacon among the Muslim world.

I am an Afghan. I love and admire Dr Mahathir as a model and a great hero of the 21st Century. May God bless Dr Mahathir and Malaysia.

Interesting character

Santha Arulampalam: That was an interesting interview with Marina Mahathir, though a short one.

I am glad that you grab the opportunity to interview her. She is quite an interesting character.

It is always nice to read more of the views and opinions on contemporary issues from 'young' adults like Marina.

On NS: Answers needed for these posers

Make sure 'poor quality food' issue is resolved

Fred Lo: This 'poor food quality' issue has been plaguing the National Service (NS) training programme ever since is started and I fail to understand why it has yet to be resolved.

Now that there are so many deaths among NS trainees, it is high time that the authorities get to the bottom of what had actually happened to those who went down with food poisoning. It is possible that some of the deaths could be caused by the poor quality food.

There was a recent report in which a female trainee from Bukit Tambun asked that the food served to trainees must be improved.

"We were served tasteless and low quality food. The authorities should look into this as everyone was unhappy with the food," she complained

Another trainee said she often skipped meals as the food served was horrible.

It is quite obvious that the NS Council has to look for new caterers in many camps. The sooner they do it the better especially as the new recruits will be reporting to their camps soon.

Let us hope there will be no repeat of food poisoning cases in NS camps in future.

Comments can reach Rentakini by emailing francis@malaysiakini.com. Selected letters will be published.