The powers-that-be must take us all for fools with all the spin they have been giving us on the reason for Dr M's defeat and that this campaign is beneath him.
On Mahathir fails - came in ninth place
A Wong: This is an example of money politics at its worst. The powers-that-be must take us all for fools with all the spin they have been giving us on the reason for Dr M's defeat and that this campaign is beneath him. Let us just call a spade a spade.
Again the monkeys are going all out to protect the lion king, a somewhat lethargic one if I may say so myself. We are not dumb. We know why this is happening but nevertheless it would have been enlightening and interesting if things were allowed to run its natural course. Do you know what's so infuriating out of this series of events besides the obvious lesson that we should all learn from, which is, it's better to feed a dog than a human? Well, that's why the saying is "dog is a man's best friend" and not the other way round.
What's sickening is the protectionist attitude adopted by the powers-that-be which streams down to all of us. Censorship with a capital C. From what we should read, to what we should watch, to what we should hear, and now to what we should perceive.
Back to Dr M. The crux of everything is no one in the ruling political party takes criticisms with grace. We have ministers who behave like thugs and some like mindless robots protecting their incompetent boss. Some won't even apologise when they had so obviously and blatantly sprouted such wisdom which undermined an ethnic group who they purport to be their partner.
No one wants to compete for anything because basically they are incapacitated by the system. Top seats are won uncontested and that's the preferred way. If we thought things were bad then, look at it now. The leader of the pack who can't even write his own speech, let alone make his own decision. And if his own party can't even see that, then good luck to us all. We definitely need it in huge doses.
YSM: He was revered by so many. Four years ago, praises after praises were heaped on him. His hands were kissed, he sat on the shoulders of those who had served him in his 22 years of power. They booked a stadium for his farewell as he was driven around the stadium in a Land Rover doing his victory lap. He was accorded the title of Tun and some say he was the greatest prime minister Malaysia has ever had.
Mahathir hasn't changed. He is still the feisty old man who left office three years ago. The difference is that he has no power, and no power in the BN is as good as an outsider.
It strange that the Malay culture which gives honour and respect to the elders in this case do not give Tun Mahathir the stage to address the Umno opening. He should be one of the keynote speakers; an honorary position to address the people since he led the party for 22 years. The imagery here is the majestic Lion, now old and weak, has become prey to his own pack.
MO8: It's Sept 9, Tun Dr Mahathir came in the 9th spot! So, it is 9-9-9. What a sad farewell for the ex-PM. Even his own people in Kubang Pasu have rejected him as a delegate. The people there have spoken. What could he say now? His old constituency which had voted for him in every general election except the one in 1969!
On Zaid: Muslims should stop playing god
Ahmad Kamal: I must in all sincerity say that Zaid Ibrahim has matured a great deal as a politician and human rights lawyer. He may finally have found his true niche in the MCLU (Malaysian Civil Liberties Union), championing the causes of fundamental freedoms in the constitution.
What he has said in the Suhakam conference has a lot of sense and should be seriously reflected upon by the majority Muslim community whose representatives (elected or not), have taken on the routine of a community under siege. I do not doubt that Zaid, like his colleague in the Malaysian Bar, Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, will face the brunt of a selection of the Muslim community, but there will be victory in championing truth to power.
The Muslim community in Malaysia has used more power over truth - here inclusive of justice and fairness - over the marginalised and sizable non-Malay-Muslim minority.
Turnstile: What a refreshing inspirational speech by the YB MP Kota Bharu on religious freedom. However, will anything be learned by those dogmatic people who wish to cause more harm than good to Malaysia by insisting on "playing god"? We are living in times when bravery and courage in speaking about religious freedom is scarce. Let us continue with the quest for freedom for Malaysians without fear or favour!
On Former AG says 'No' to review of judicial crisis
Lawyer Cabuk: Abu Talib's call for a "finality" to the issue of the judicial crisis is the same as Rafidah telling Malaysians, "I was very much involved in the Leader Cable share allotment. Everything was done according to procedure. There is nothing more to investigate!"
It the same difference!
RJ: Can someone explain to me why this person, who obviously doesn't respect fundamental human rights, is the chairperson the nation's human rights body?
I have a question - do the people of Malaysia have any role or say in ensuring that the best and most appropriate person heads the organisation which we depend on to protect our rights? We should, because it's high time to revamp Suhakam and its leadership.
On The IPCMC, Musa, the IPCMC!
Independant Observer: Musa's 'legacy' as the deputy IGP may be the nude-squat case. But to me, Musa's 'legacy' as a police officer is the (yet to be challenged) testimony of Azizan Abu Bakar about having been coached about the date of the alleged "offences".
It may have been seven years on but, "fitnah" in Islam is a very, very serious wrong! With this skeleton still unflushed, I am of the opinion that Musa is not the right person to take the police force to new "heights".
On Pak Lah wants fair trial for M'sian terror suspects
Ahmad Fuad: I find it strange for Badawi to say that "it is important that they get a fair trial". In fact, I find it rather funny! Here, he has it within his powers to provide a fair trial to his fellow Muslims and Malaysians (the likes of Nik Adli and Samat), and he does not do it! He's now barking at the Americans to ensure that those men are fairly tried?
Wonder if he is now going to ask for a report on whether there is anyone incarcerated under the ISA? And if there was, would he then apologise to Bush?
