‘Can Hindraf see that its single-race agenda and ethno-centric approach means it cannot play a bigger role in Malaysian politics? It cannot play this bigger role until it drops this approach.'
On Indian voters may boycott 'outsider' Manikumar
CC Low: There is no need for Hindraf to threaten PKR with withdrawing Indian support just because their candidate is not selected.
The fact is, Hindraf has no multi-racial support as it is an organisation with the avowed aim of fighting for Indians only. Other races have no reason to elect a Hindraf person to represent them.
PKR will be damaging its chances if it accedes to Hindraf and appoint a Hindraf coordinator as its candidate.
The 30 percent Indian composition in Bukit Selambau cannot swing a victory without the support of the other races.
Can Hindraf see that its single race agenda and ethno-centric approach means it cannot play a bigger role in Malaysian politics?
In fact, Hindraf cannot play a bigger role in Malaysian society unless it drops its single-race approach.
Branchis Simon: I disagree with the comments made by some that ‘We don't need these people (Hindraf) as our representatives'.
Don't we remember that such a statement was made by one BN chief ministers in the past?
Come, we should focus on retaining our seat at Bukit Selambau.
We are going through a critical period where we got to prove to BN that we have the support of the people for PKR. This can only be done via winning the seat at Bukit Selambau.
One must remember that Hindraf created the initial spark which led to BN being denied its two-thirds majority last March 8.
My take is that PKR's top leaders should have dialogue with the Indians of Bukit Selambau instead of parachuting in a candidate on the advice of V Arumugam,
By the way, what has Arumugam got to do in with selecting the candidate. Don't you think he would have a vested interest?
On 'Beware of that power-crazy traitor'
Gooi Hsiao Leung: Hishammudin Hussein is the one who needs waking up. The Umno vice- president hopeful is still living in the pre-March 8, 2008 era.
He has not been listening to the public hard enough, and obviously he wasn't paying attention to Najib's speech the night before on how the political landscape in our country has changed since the last general election.
In Hishammudin's speech, he cowardly attacked Anwar Ibrahim (short of naming him), calling him a traitor, selling out Malay rights, and accusing Anwar of being ‘willing to sow the seeds of hate, cooperate with the enemy, deny the rights of his own race...'
He then rambled on about how the so-called ‘social contract' had been misinterpreted to ‘light the flames of racism.' I say that the only one fanning the flames of racism is Hishammuddin himself.
Anyone reading his speech will curse him for being insensitive to non-Malays for using emotive words such as ‘selling out Malay rights', ‘seeds of hate' and ‘enemy'.
Is he not aware that the severe thrashing BN received in the last general election is due mainly to the fact that Malaysians are fed up with the arrogant Umno racial-style of politics?
He is right to about one thing though. He is right to say that Umno should fight for ‘politics with value and meaning'.
Though I am afraid that it will be all too late to save BN from a disastrous outcome in the upcoming three by-elections this April 7.
On The end of the road for the keris
B Vadivel: I hope Hishammuddin becomes defence minister after this so that he can then wave, kiss and swing the keris at countries which ‘threaten' our security ie, Israel, the US, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, etc.
Jeez, how did this ever guy became an education minister with his keris- waving antics?
Imagine the impact of this childish behaviour on thousands of our children's minds who would have looked at this fellow as a role model.
On Cops summon DAP rep over 'apartheid' remark
Sad To Be Malaysian: How can action be taken over DAP assembly person Boo Cheng Hau for telling the truth? Or is it because the truth hurts?
The hallmark of an apartheid system is not just physical separation but also economic differentiation based on race. Both aspects were practiced by the racist government of South Africa.
The accurate and concise way to describe a policy where a segment of the population is denied opportunities and given unfavourable terms based on race alone is ‘apartheid-like'.
So Boo is correct to describe the practice of some banks in charging higher interest rates for non- bumiputra irrespective of socio-economic status to be apartheid-like.
Umno leaders who find this objectionable can call it ‘NEP' if they like but it does not change the ugly apartheid-like aspects of these policies.
South Africa has abandoned the apartheid system and moved forward. We may be the only country left in the world which still discriminates based on race.
On Hisham bars Pakatan leaders from schools
Dato' Shaik Daud Ismail: The direction by Hisham that opposition be not allowed to attend school functions is either childish or proves that the government is very much afraid of the opposition.
Is this BN's style of democracy? Does the ban also include PTA functions which every parent has every right to attend?
Hisham, don't be afraid of your own shadow la...
On Official: Malaysiakini not friendly to Umno
RJM: Congratulations. Umno has established your credibility as an independent and fearless media source.
The likes of Tengku Adnan are petty-minded frightened people who feel a sense of insecurity in open debate or discourse.
Continue with your fair reporting and ignore the friendliness Umno seeks.
G Krishnan: Well done and congratulations. If there ever was any doubt about your credibility as a news organisation, that has certainly been put to rest now that you have been officially dubbed by Umno as ‘not friendly'.
I reckon this badge of honour - and I would certainly regard it as such - can only elevate your reputation and credibility in the journalism community and, most importantly, in the eyes of the public.
As one of the irreplaceable ingredients of a democratic society, a free press has an indispensible role - through the principle of free speech - to inform, educate and serve as the public's social conscience.
Obviously, if Malaysiakini has rubbed Umno the wrong way, then it only goes to affirm the fact that unlike some other news organisations and outlets, you're doing something fundamentally right.
Lim Hong Khun:
If Umno is not keen for you to report on their event, I don't see any reason why you should bother to report on it as you now try to do.Malaysiakini and all the other uninvited media should treat it as a non-event and ignore it.
You guys need to display some pride; it's shameful for you to try to report an event when the host obviously does not want you there.
By reporting it from the sidelines, all you are doing is stroking the hosts' ego.
Bosco: Umno leaders have spoken the truth by admitting that they do not like Malaysiakini
for what they write about Umno. We all know that Umno lives by spinning a myth.
That is why the late John F Kennedy once remarked ‘... that the great enemy of the truth is more often not the lie, but the myth'.
Since Unmo always spins a myth, which all the world is aware of except Umno itself, Umno does not like what you write.
On Bar Council defends 'Allah' poll
Maximadman: I assure you that I am one of the so-called open minded bumis in this country and have a strong affection for what Pakatan Rakyat is trying to do for the future generations.
I, for one, have never ever voted for the ruling government nor for any Islamist party. This does not make me any less a firm Muslim.
But I could not agree with the statement made by Kesavan. In fact, the Bar Council should itself rise above mere polemics that they have created for themselves.
What is the use of the poll if Muslims do not participate or if the sample size of non-Muslims outweighs Muslims? The results would be grossly skewed.
If I, as a Muslim, do not wish to participate, would the Bar Council then label me a Muslim zealot or Islamist or Jihadist or extremist or terrorist or whatever names you call us?
Has the Bar Council taken into consideration or investigated the reasons why Muslims would be offended?
In spite of repeated advice and warnings from even opposition personalities, you have failedto do so and only want to believe what you want to believe on this issue of using the term ‘Allah'.
Let the government decide and if they decide it is okay for others to use the word, we Muslims would not be offended at all.
The Bar Council's action has only complicated matters and I do not see their locus standi in holding this poll.
