‘I was left speechless when I saw how the photographer was manhandled and choked. It reminded me of an unruly Umno crowd.'

On Photographers attacked, may boycott PKR

Martin Jalleh: A picture speaks a thousand words. I was left speechless when I saw how Guang Ming Daily' s photographer Loh Hoay Hoon was manhandled and choked.

It reminded me of the acts of police brutality and/or the behaviour of an unruly Umno crowd - incidents that PKR has never failed to highlight!

What is equally disturbing is the assault that took place, in spite of past complaints (even by Malaysiakini ) over the unprofessional behavior of the party's security personnel.

Indeed, PKR's nonchalance over the matter is just as unacceptable.

In Dr M's days, the former premier would even go out of his way to pose with members of the public without his bodyguards charging at and choking people.

Peter Ooi: Looking at the images on the report I only have one word for PKR security personnel: ‘disgusting'.

PKR must be made aware that they have been given overwhelming support by the people in the just-concluded general election because they claimed to champion the rights of the poor and voiceless.

Whenever there was any brutality on the part of the police or other government bodies, they were first to be there for the people.

On this ground, they won the hearts of millions. Now hardly half a year has gone by and their security personnel are no better than those said people.

Looking at the images, the security personnel really have no regards that the photographer is a lady. How ungentlemanly they must be.

To safeguard their popularity, the leadership must make sure that such despicable acts will not happen in the future and the personnel concerned be disciplined.

Selandia & Jutlandia: Whilst it is an uncalled-for incident, this should not be overblown.

There could be some precautions taken by PKR to ensure the safety of their leader who is now the focus of the country. The picture guys and gals should also be extra careful in their steps.

Just take it as one situation and continue your noble job. The public knows your humble duty and you gals and guys are doing a great job.

Your papers are always with lots of pictures and the people love it. Please continue, keep up the excellent work.

Utusan Malaysia Journalist:

The incident is nothing surprising to me. My sympathy goes to her. Personally, I have gone through the same situation as Loh encountered.

I was pushed on my right chest and stomach by two PKR staff (both are male) during an assignment at PKR HQ in Tropicana, Damansara on July 1.

As a journalist from Utusan Malaysia , this violence and abuse towards local journalists is just unacceptable.

Nevertheless, whatever happened has never deterred my determination to proceed with my career as journalist.

And Loh should have the same spirit too and face PKR bravely in future. I support Loh all the way and we will show them that the local media are not easily cracked by their abusiveness.

PKR staff do not respect the local media. But if you are representing the foreign media, then they would behave differently and treat you as if you are the Queen of England.

Long live local journalists/media.

On Police reports lodged against 'racist' teacher

Francis T Rozario: I have very little to say about the whole episode and being an Indian myself I feel hurt by this teacher's comments.

I will not blame all the people of her race for her actions though she has collectively branded Indians in the crudest of terms and that alone is an indication of her upbringing and her education.

Having said that, I feel this attitude reflects the attitude of the Barisan government led by Umno and this is a classic example of the manifestation of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's Islam Hadhari and racial tolerance.

These abuses have been tolerated in parliament, it has ben tolerated time and again and Abdullah being the PM has not come out to stem it out once and for all.

His treatment of the innocent Hindraf leaders is an indication of how he personally views Indians.

His failure to stamp out racial attacks on the Indians can only be construed to be tolerance of such insults if not encouragement.

Joe Fernandez:

This teacher should be sent to a re-education camp to get rid of her colonial hang-ups, pet theories and fixations.

Also, obviously she is not used to mixing around with anyone but her own kind. Must have come straight out from some remote location. Hence, her disorientation at anyone who looks different from her.

If we mix around more, we won't notice what our differences are but, instead, what binds us together as one people. Those who can't get there will be born losers forever.

Blame the situation on the politically-motivated recruitment system for teachers. Ninety per cent of our teachers are from just one community. Surely, this is an unhealthy situation.

The teaching profession should not be seen by politicians as an opportunity to create jobs for their people.

The government needs to be colour-blind in its recruitment policies to better reflect the nation at

large. This is where we need the reformation promised by the opposition alliance come Sept 16.

Gordon Lim:

This teacher should not only be sacked, she should be jailed for what she had done. I have no sympathy for such racist in this country.

How could anyone ever be referred to as 'dogs' or 'children of prostitutes'? This indirectly is promoting racial polarisation in the country.

In comparison, her crime is more serious than sodomy for igniting mass hatred amongst the different communities. If there ever is a person to be recommended for ISA detention, she should be placed at the top.

Just because Indians are a minority, they do not deserved to be treated in this way. Shame on such a irresponsible racist teacher.

I seriously hope she's not a member of Umno or a product of BTN and its equivalent propaganda that incites racial hatred.

On Federal gov't: 'jumping' parties not the way

SB Phen: This looks like a personal vendetta. Politicians, please remember you were voted to office to serve.

Start working now to deliver whatever you promised on the platform of your pre-election manifestos and not find ways to excuse yourselves.

The people's aspirations must be emphasised in your delivery systems and whatever party you are from does not matter.

This current very approach is scary and means that you will do anything to achieve your ends without respect for the rakyat that voted you in.

Please show your abilities before the next election, or else it will be too late.

Krishna Thanappan:

The opposition in parliament has 82 seats and now they want to buy over MPs whom the voters voted to be in government.

Would the PR respect the peoples decision and stick to principles? Maybe if they worked hard, they may be able to win the next elections fair and square.

Meanwhile, try to keep politics clean. Barisan Nasional can keep the component parties in their present form.

What Barisan Nasional needs to focus on is the economy. They have to form a crack group of people from all the component parties to jointly work together on the economy and find ways to boost it as well as look into the distribution of wealth.

If barisan doesn't make this effort, they can be assured of losing the people's support.

On 'Ban sectarian politics'

Kaisim: In Malaysia, our politicians play sectarian politics to stay in power. Not for the good of the country, but for individual greed. Can Umno take the first step to change?

Being the ‘big brother' in BN, it should take the lead, re-branding Umno as a dynamic organisation free from greed and selfishness, and completely fair and responsible. Otherwise, Malaysian voters must change the government

Over the years, Umno and its youth wings have been playing the racial card at the expense of national unity and economy.

Practically every prominent Umno politician has used it in the early stages of their careers, one of which is none other than our ex-PM who, in the 1960s, was known as an ‘ultra'. Many of them were opportunists in the making.

We must learn to appreciate good values of others, to be gracious in our dealings with each other and talk less about racial demands, the NEP and Ketuanan Melayu .

These demands make minorities uneasy, and frighten away the investors. We are all protected under the constitution, just follow it and do it right.

Umno must act without fear or favour, beginning with its own people - there cannot be two sets of law, one for my friends and another for others. It must been seen as an organisation that is responsible and fair, and must act on the wrong-doers, irrespective of colour and position.

The minority group will get the message in due course. Beginning with Umno - the ‘big brother' in BN - we should all work hard at strengthening the feelings of being Malaysian and stop harping on issues that polarise people.

On PM: MRR2 cracks could have been avoided if...

Marion Tharsis: The structural problems have again re-surfaced after only a short period upon completion of the restoration works.

If the BN is serious and sincere about getting to the bottom of this shoddy and questionable construction and remedial works, then it should haul up all the people responsible for their corrupt practices.

It should also include the person who helmed the ministry at that time. Enough of cover-ups and giving lame excuses and finger-pointing people who were merely carrying out orders from the above.

The government machinery is solely responsible for ensuring that contractors and those involved carry out their work diligently and responsibly, bearing in mind that public safety should never be taken for granted.

PM, don't drag your feet again. Just expressing your anger is not good enough. We want swift action.

SM Mohamed Idris:

The latest incidence of cracks on the middle ring road 2 (MRR2) is cause for grave concern, as it involves an issue of public funds and, even more importantly, public safety.

The MRR2, which has only been fully operational for five years, has already gobbled up RM70 million in costs to repair cracks that appeared in 2004 and 2006. Yet fresh cracks have now been detected, necessitating a third round of repairs.

This incident will only raise doubts over the quality of the previous repair works and, indeed, of the initial construction itself. It also begs a further question - is MRR2 an isolated case, or are there other potentially hazardous highways around?

To allay the public's fears, the authorities should inspect all the elevated highways and bridges in the country to make sure they are structurally sound.

Coming on the heels of the MRR2 saga, the situation points to a need to review the entire government procurement mechanism, including the tender process and selection of contractors.

The government must ensure it gets its money's worth for the goods, services and projects it pays for, and that there are no ‘cracks' and leakages in the system. After all, it is nothing less than taxpayer funds and, in the case of faulty roads, human lives are at stake.

The government must immediately appoint a high level committee to look into the issue and come out with a report which must be made public in order to prevent future recurrences of such incidences. ( The writer is the president of the Consumers Association of Penang. )