Pak Lah better than Najib anytime
Malaysiakini.com
Apr 25, 2008

On Is Najib another Dr M in the making?

Abby Ong: In short, my answer would be ‘much worse’ than Dr M. Personally, I find Najib lacks compassion for the rakyat. From the setting up of the so-called ‘National Service’ to his current role as DPM, whatever ‘contribution’ he has made was self-interest motivated. Has anyone checked who runs and owns the uniform-making outfit for our National Service youngsters?

I dread to think of Malaysia’s future when Najib is appointed PM. A leader by example, Najib is definitely not. It is in this context that I would say that Malaysia stands a better chance to ‘re-form’ Abdullah Ahmad Badawi than to ask him to resign. The ‘Pak Lah’ I knew when he was our Foreign Minister was a compassionate civil servant ever ready to serve the rakyat.

Perhaps, because of Endon’s death and subsequent events that followed have caused him to lose his direction and focus. Let us, as rakyat Malaysia, remind him of the commitment that he made when he was given the appointment to lead Malaysia as PM. Let us continue to remind him that he serves the rakyat and therefore needs to listen to the rakyat and not someone else’s (you know who) grievances and instigation. Perhaps when Abdullah is back on the right track, so to would Malaysia be. As the famous quotation reads ‘Leadership by example’. Hear our cries, Pak Lah and buck up.

Malaysian Joe: From the many events and statements made, I do not think for one moment that Najib is another Dr M in the making. However, it makes me think that Najib is already the PM of Malaysia.

Reason being, how can he so detached? The PM had said that he regretted the wrong done to the six judges in 1988 only to be rebutted by his deputy the very next day.

Now, take two: when the PM made a flip flop on Lee Kah Choon's acceptance of his job with the new Penang state government. The PM fell in line with what his deputy had said earlier? Does that not show us that our PM is actually below the DPM now?

On Angry Keng Yaik calls Kah Choon an opportunist

Disgusted: This old man has announced retirement from politics. So let it be. I really see no valid reason for him to politicise this matter if he has chosen to retire. One reason I can think of is he is like Mahathir who can’t forget the good old days when they were walking tall in domestic politics. But then, there is always a time for them to call it a day and let the younger generation to take the lead.

My advice to Lim is, for god’s sake, stay home and write your memoirs or do something more meaningful for the welfare of your country men if you think you still have the stamina. At least, learn from Ling, Liong Sik who speaks nothing to the press since he left office.

Who does not have a personal agenda in life? Come on Lim. You, too, have one, or more. Please be honest - we are all human beings. To Lee Kah Choon, please be bold enough to move ahead and contribute to the island you know best. There are many ways to work for the people as long as your conscience is clear.

GC Tham: Lee Kah Choon does not belong to Gerakan neither does he belong to Dr Lim Keng Yaik. If Lee wishes to contribute to serve the rakyat in Penang, why stop him? Lim should be proud of Kah Choon rather than condemning him.

Loyal Citizen: I salute Lee Kah Choon’s decision to resign from his party and to serve the Penang ruling government. No matter what the PM thinks, he has forgotten that we are all Malaysian and we serve the country no matter from which party we come from. Although BN parties are in the opposition I some states, it doesn’t mean they can’t contribute to the wellness of the country. Typical of Umno/BN mentality. PM please, be a good example to your citizens. Three cheers for Lee Kah Choon!

Popeye: Lim Guan Eng is certainly more progressive than Karpal and what he has done with Kah Choon is certainly something to be applauded. If Gerakan had adopted this approach a long time ago they would still be in power. Keng Yaik is upset because he did not think about it first. Never mind Kah Choon. There is a new sheriff in town who believes that office bearers should serve the people instead of serving the party. This BN mantra needs to change otherwise it would be Barisan Nobody.

Damian Denis: If Koh Tsu Koon feels that Lee Kah Choon is not capable to lead the PDC or InvestPenang due to lack of experience or whatever, then he should not have propose Lee to be a chief minister candidate before the general election. So, Mr Koh why did you propose Lee to be the next CM of Penang when in your mind right now he is not capable of helming even a small organisation like PDC and InvestPenang in the first place? You would have known (I hope!) that Penang is the bastion of manufacturing industry in this country.

Now, in the mind of most thinking Penangites, even Teng Hock Nan and Chia Kwang Chye are not capable of leading Penang too. They, too, may not have any experience or caliber to lead Penang as Koh has said about Kah Choon. This is why we voted overwhelmingly for the opposition. Let the son of Melaka rule Penang and you Gerakan guys keep on harping on petty and nonsensical issues. And stop insulting and challenging Penangites’ intelligence to suit your political needs.

KC Leong: I think Kah Choon is certainly not an opportunist. His new role enables him to serve the Penang community. Through what vehicle is irrelevant, whether it be PKR, or DAP or Gerakan. Kah Choon's loyalty is to the community, Keng Yaik's loyalty is to Gerakan, it is as simple as that.

By the way, Keng Yaik, in spite of his old age, may be able to recall that Gerakan joined BN way back in1970 to serve the community. So what is the difference now for Kah Choon? Maybe Keng Yaik also has a selective memory like our ex-prime minister.

On MIC Youth: Explain why Hindraf 5 not freed

Retired Soldier: All of a sudden, why is there such a great enlightenment on the part of MIC leaders? When the Hindraf took to the streets, MIC condemned the action. Now after their embarrassing defeat, they seem to be so concerned for the Indians. Impossible to have personal benefits when out of power, is it? Just to let them know, we Indians are not goats and will not be fooled again and again. If MIC is sincere in getting better and fairer deals, join Pakatan and work with them.

On I'll be PM in three years, says Anwar

Tan Soo Huat: I think Anwar is talking too much. What is the ultimate aim of his political struggle if not for getting the premiership of this country? If there is a chance now, why not do it? The voters voted for Pakatan not so much because they like Pakatan, but out sheer hatred for BN. Therefore circumstances may change after a while, with the PM getting stronger slowly.

The last time in 1998, Anwar acted to hastily to unseat TDM and he failed tragically. Maybe this time around, he wants to be more careful but it will be wrong again. If he really has the numbers, just do it otherwise there will be no chance to do it anymore.

On Veteran journalist: ACA reforms worth a good laugh

Chiawhong: If the people who are going to run the so-called reformed ACA are the same people running the present ACA, then it is like filling an XO brandy bottle with coloured water. The contents from the XO brandy bottle will still taste like coloured water.

Kayjay: The Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) by any other name is going to be same, can never be effective and will be as much the same or maybe worse, There is no use trying to reform the ACA or having 5,000 or 50,000 more men to do the job defectively. The only solution to make the present ACA do what it is supposed to do is to free the press and electronic media for then only the now slumbering watchdog can become alert. Only then can the ACA be able to really perform.

On Education system quota abused

Frustrated: I'm an Indian, aged 37. Recently I was awarded Gold Medal for being the best Masters student in one of our local universities. I was the happiest person thinking that the award will be a ticket to get a scholarship to pursue my doctorate studies. Therefore early this year, I applied for a ‘Hadiah Latihan Persekutuan’ scholarship with complete applications.

Today, I checked the outcome and was shocked that I was not even called for an interview. Where do I go wrong? Where is the justice? If a gold medalist is not eligible, who else is our government offering the scholarships to?

On Barricade row: Answers next week

Ooi: This show that the highhandedness of the highway concessionaire. With the help of the BN government, they are exploiting and forcing the rakyat to take the detour, endure the traffic jams and pay the RM0.90 toll to enter the highway just to make extra millions to enrich the pocket of their cronies.

This is the so-called caring government, oops, yes, caring for their cronies only. Abdullah and BN have still not learnt the lesson of March 8. The rakyat will definitely kick them out in the next GE.

Highway User: This whole episode is seen as 'daylight robbery' to me by Grand Saga, the operator of the Kajang-Cheras Highway. Grand Saga should show its wisdom and goodwill to the residents of Bandar Mahkota Cheras by lifting the barricade even if the portion of land is proven to belong to Grand Saga.

Grand Saga should project itself as a responsible corporate citizen and not 'licensed pirate' that goes all out to make as much profit as possible. I believe Grand Saga is somehow related to the federal government or BN. If that is the case, this makes it duty bound to open up the road for Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents. Beside the saving in toll payments, the petrol money that is subsidised by government would not go to waste.

On Appoint foreigner as ACA boss

Ng SK: Appoint a foreigner as ACA boss? That's ridiculous and insulting to Malaysians. You mean there is not even one Malaysian who can be as fair and neutral as a foreigner?

Birdseye: The idea that only a foreigner can conduct business without fear or favour is silly, if not also insulting. The top job at the ACA will be a high-paying one with perks most people can only dream about. So are only foreigners immune to the fear of losing a good job?

Honesty and integrity are not qualities that are exclusive to foreigners. To say or believe that shows there is still a lot of growing up to do for Malaysians. There must be quite a number of Malaysians who are capable of doing the job. Only that the system in place now does not allow for independence. Change the system and we will see improvements.

On Suhakam: Uthaya wasn't denied treatment

Nirmala: Mr Siva may as well echo the authorities’ claim of fair treatment (without a visit) which we know is not a fact. How on earth can a probe be called a probe when the victim is not even interviewed or seen? Siva, please leave Suhakam. You cannot be independent.

You believe everybody you talked to. How did you verify the statements? Is it against medical ethics to ask a patient whether he is satisfied with the treatment he is getting? We have enough statements coming from the authorities which insult the intelligence of the rakyat. Please remember, we are not a nation of fools.

On MP under probe for sexual harassment

Alfred Ho: I am indeed shocked to read of the revelation where a woman made a police report against a former minister for molest, and who has now retracted it by saying that she was feeling ‘moody’ on that particular day.

If what she says is true, then I strongly feel that stern action should be taken against her for wasting police resources and for making false accusations against a public figure.

However, it is my belief that there is more than meets the eye, for I am under the impression that pressure was brought upon the complainant to withdraw the police report to save the minister's reputation.

Aquarian: Who is this former minister under probe for sexual harassment? This is demeaning and indicates a total disregard for respect to women. If found guilty, make sure he is made an example of to the rest of the ministers as to how to maintain good decorum and behaviour. This man should be punished to the full extent of the law.

On 'Don't seek equal rights' statement offensive

Ibrahim Musa K: A friend asked why I am rather critical of our people. I said once upon a time we were tolerant, virtuous and earned an honest living. Now, many of us look for instant wealth, power and gratification; worse, we demand more and more.

Four decades of spoon-feeding have made us ‘soft’ if not ‘weak’, probably unable to face any stormy weather. Instead of equipping ourselves with solid knowledge or competent skills to manage our lives to confront the ever-changing world, we choose to rely on the government or flatter the rich and the powerful for personal gain. How many of us have been trying to use politics as a weapon to satisfy our insatiable greed? Quite a good number, though some succeed while others fail.

We continue to be dependent on the government to get special privileges. And yet some of us abuse them badly. Perhaps it is time to sit down and reflect. Ask ourselves: can we go on practicing self-cheating perpetually? Will our younger generations be able to cope with and survive the harsh onslaught of the outside world in future?

Please do a bit of soul-searching, everyone.

On Bullet train to S'pore scrapped

Yakin/Konsult: I am dismayed and disappointed to read that the EPU has decided to scrap the above speed train proposal by the YTL Group. The proposal entails a super modern state-of-the art high speed train that zooms on tracks at a astounding speed of 350 km/hr. Imagine reaching Singapore within 90mins upon checking-in in Sentral Kuala Lumpur. We could be staying in KL and travel daily to work in Singapore! Having an efficient, fast and modern rail system is a necessity in the fast development regions of Asia where countries compete with each other over the infrastructure that they provide and offer.

Currently, high speed trains (though of different makes and designs) have been successfully put into commercial service in Asian cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul, Shanghai and Taipei.

At a price of RM8 billion, depending on the feeder facilities offer under the package such the number and quality of stations, I believe this is a challenging price the government should evaluate more seriously before rejecting it.

With the present rate of price increase in material costs, we should not be foolish enough to save now but to loose out in competition in the near future to our immediate neighbours. Incidently, the double-tracking rail system which we are implementing now in the North stretch will not serve the country well as the tracks are designed for very slow moving units travelling at less that 100 km/hr. Imagine needing 3.5 hours to reach Penang from KL whilst we could be breezing to Singapore in 90 minutes.

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