'What I don't understand is why doesn't the government call for open tenders for its contracts and concessions? Isn't money the issue behind the reason to call for the removal of subsidies?'
Gov't to delay announcing power tariff hike
Lahore San: Why wait? The opposition has been saying that Umno/BN's way of mismanaging the economy cannot last. Of course, a few cronies got rich here and there - the IPPs (independent power producers) come to mind - but this has got to end sometime.
What I don't understand is why doesn't the government call for open tenders for its contracts and concessions? Isn't money the issue behind the reason to call for the removal of subsidies? Government funds have been abused every year as stated in the auditor-general's report.
Some Umno people even admitted the auditor-general's 2008 report was still being perused (what?). I wonder which report contains the RM500 million submarine purchase commission. Will that be investigated? No way. They will keep on spending while telling the rakyat to tighten their belts.
Jeerky: Why the need for electricity tariff hikes? Every time TNB asks the government for a hike, the government approves it. Even now, the rate is so high that I have pay more than RM100 for my TNB bill. The last time they increase electricity tariff was when the petrol was RM2.70 per litre, but now it is RM1.80.
Ahmad Iqhbal: Liberalisation, my foot! They are ‘redirecting' these subsidies in preparation for the next general elections. After all, there are a lot of ‘sharks', ‘leeches', ‘kangaroos' (all these used to be called cronies).
They have to be cautious, thanks to the strong opposition in Parliament acting as a watchdog for us poor rakyat. Give us a ‘shock and awe' by reducing tariffs, tolls and increase the banks' fixed deposit rates.
Dr M: Mull over direct BN membership
David Dass: This is an interesting development. Dr Mahathir Mohamad recognises the change in circumstances though I am not sure what are these circumstances that he acknowledges. He refers to better grassroots leaders who do not belong to one of the component parties.
I wish that they will acknowledge the one changed reality - that the people are tired of race-based parties and racial politics. Today the people are ready to embrace politics based on the principles of social justice, human rights, truth and democracy, an independant judiciary and the rule of law. The people want an end to corruption and they want an integrated Malaysia.
Let us embrace the new reality.
Antihoodwinkers : BN opening its membership to new categories only now appears to be another desperate measure to save the ship from sinking further.
DC: Pakatan Rakyat, stop complaining. We know the problem with Umno and the problem is not solved with your continued bombarding on us on what they have done and what you have done. Yes, the media has an important role to play, so use them wisely.
You want an example? Easy, go to the ground as the people on the ground are facing the problems - not the BN or Pakatan reps who seem to knocking over themselves for the vote count. Take up their grievances and highlight the shortfalls.
The effort that you have put in to address these issues will ensure that the votes will flow in by themselves rather than by pandering yourself to the media.
The more you raise and highlight how and why the people suffer, the better it gets as these are real issues faced by the rakyat irrespective of their origin. I think Malaysian are not that stupid as Umno thinks they are, so don't do what they have been doing.
This constructive criticism is for the betterment of the rakyat - not lip service by elected reps to appease the media. Comprende ?
Ghkok: I won't consider this as whining. Ousted Perak menteri besar Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin is rightfully briefing the press and the people about BN's shenanigans. Communicating with the press and the people and disseminating info is the role of a political leader.
Nizar has done it very professionally, consistently and with the highest integrity. He was sharing a very useful info about how BN is denying the right of people to obtain services at the district level.
He shared with us the difference between how Pakatan operated and how BN operated. I didn't know that before, now I know. I'm sure many people are similarly enlightened.
Tan apologises to PKR leader, retracts statement
Keturunan Malaysia: It is really simple, Tan Tee Beng You have every right to dissent. It is pretty democratic and we love democracy. But for goodness sake, dissent from within and not from without.
If the outcome still does not please you and you have to make a decision to stick around or to walk out and ultimately decide to walk out, then please walk out. You can then start telling your reasons to the whole world.
But don't destroy the party from within because that is the worst thing you can. This must not be done by someone insisting he has ‘credibility'. I walked my talk in this respect many times and I guess I can well advise you on this.
Karma: Tan Tee Beng, Wee Choo Keong and Zulkifli Noordin are in the same league - ‘gangster' members of parliament. They are very un-gentlemanly and like to ‘fight' whatever is in their way. PKR's disciplinary action will never be able to subdue them.
They will continue their rampage like Mr Hyde in Dr Jekyll's body. Nobody knew about Tan Tee Beng until his outburst. Everyone now knows Tan Tee Beng because he is newsworthy.
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