‘When BN/Umno recommends, no-one, absolutely no-one, can reject. But a mere suggestion by Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim leads to a protest?'

On MB proposes special meet with UiTM students

Dian Abdullah: I do not understand the fuss over MB's Khalid Ibrahim's suggestion that other races should be allowed into UiTM.

Who are the instigators from Umno bribing these students? Maybe these students should just check past records and they will notice that two Chinese girls - both non-Muslim - were allowed to study there before.

When BN/Umno recommends, no-one, absolutely no-one, can reject. So why BN/Umno's recommendations are okay but a mere suggestion by MB Khalid leads to a protest?

Why the double standard?

Elsie Goh Siew Khim:

First of all, I salute the Mentri Besar of Selangor, Khalid Ibrahim for suggesting to meet the student representatives of UiTM to discuss their discontentment in opening up the university to non-bumiputeras.

I think this is the way to go when there are issues need to be raised instead shouting and ranting racial slurs as witnessed at the recent Bar Council forum.

But what really trouble me as a non-bumiputera is that the students of UiTM think that the university belongs to bumiputeras only.

Are they not aware that their education, activities, programmes and everything about the university are funded by revenues from taxpayers including myself. This is a university for all Malaysians.

Why I am troubled is because Umno for the past 50 years has been employing the Ketuanan Melayu strategy to brainwash and trick the bumiputeras into believing and accepting them and this has borne fruit.

We have intellectuals from this university who still hold on to this Ketuanan concept.

Cookie Monster: I find it hilarious that the government has ‘designed' a programme such as the National Service to encourage integration amongst the races, and yet at the same time makes such brainless statements such as those against the Selangor MB for ‘betraying his race' merely for his suggestion that UiTM be opened to non-Malays.

Is intergration only selectively important in some institutions and not others? Who are we kidding here?

As an exercise in integration, the NS experience cannot hope to even come close to the experience of studying with people of other races, something that our Selangor MB understands.

Why then is this concept so difficult for our dear prime minister to grasp? Its time to move out, dear sir, before you betray us Malaysians any further.

On Advent of political Islam, jihadism in Malaysia

Augustine: What is wrong with Bar Council holding small public forum on ‘Conversion to Islam'? Right thinking human beings would think rationally about the issue to be discussed.

The Bar council said clearly that the issue is nothing to do with Islam or Malay rights.

This urgent issue has been a merry-go-round for such a long time that it deprives the right of the non-bumis.

I was surprised that the police could not control the protesters numbering about 300 people whereas they could control a huge crowd during the Hindraf protest.

A protester could even enter the forum room to say babi, balik Cina etc.

What if this Cina won the first gold medal in Beijing Olympic Games, shall we ask him to go back to China?

I want to see what is the reaction of the rakyat bumi Malaysia if a Chinese Malaysian could bring back first Malaysia's first Olympic gold medal to Malaysia.

The forum was to benefit all Malaysians and not only the Chinese, Indian, Ibans, Kadazan etc.

Wake up Malaysia.

On Disruption of 'conversion' forum a black mark

BK: I am sure all true-blooded Malaysians condemn the actions of the protesters at the forum.

We are plain sick with their attitude and actions.

But, wait a minute, does not the action or inaction of the law enforcers tells you something? I can only smell something fishy behind all this charade.

Since we are playing on uneven playing field, whatever we say or do can be twisted around. You never know how diabolical the unseen ' forces' can be.

DSAI has to be very careful with his words and actions. Watch out for the next group of protesters (UiTM). They are being started young.

I won't be surprised that it is the same 'forces' at play. Let us be careful and not play into their hands.

Dev Subramaniam: Ambiga Sreenevasan you are my hero! I salute and admire your leadership qualities and your team of leaders in organising this open forum.

You are a woman who 'walks the talk' and we need more people of your caliber, wisdom and courage to lead all Malaysian irrespective of race or religion.

Perhaps you could coach our so called Barisan Nasional leaders in 101 Leadership Qualities.

Fathima Idris:

Now, is it necessary to have a public forum to get the issues around conversion resolved?

I do not think so and the forum appears not be about revisiting the cases of Subashini and Sharmala alone but to give vent about an array of issues - on Muslim inheritance laws, the tussle over the bodies of deceased converts and the prohibition against Muslims marrying non-Muslims.

Should and can all these be discussed rationally in public? There are those who think there is nothing wrong in having public discussions but I hold a contrary view.

In order to achieve an understanding on these issues it has to be done in a rationale manner with an appreciation of Islam and its place in our country.

One cannot seek to find understanding or agreement in an emotional meeting or in a climate where there is much prejudice against Muslims and Islam as can be seen in our own media.

So was the perception that it was about ‘Islam-bashing' wrong?

On Samy: Take severe action against 'racist' teacher

The Watchman: The appropriate penalty for this unspeakable lack of respect for another race in this multi-racial country is nothing less than an immediate sack without pension.

I don't think the people in this country are in the mood to accept her ‘punishment' from the ministry.

Education Minister Hishamuddin Hussein must explain to all Malaysians why no stern action was taken against the perpetrator in light of her totally unacceptable conduct.

The authorities must explain why her comments were not considered seditious and she not prosecuted under the Sedition Act.

I do not appreciate the government taking a very light stand on this. It not only smacks of racial bias but basically also gives the hint to all teachers and public servants that it is okay to do such things.

But the point that I would like to make is - imagine a non-Malay teacher saying these things to a group of Malay students. Wouldn't all hell break loose?

This non-Malay teacher will be arrested, thrown into jail without trial under the ISA or possibly charged under the Sedition Act.

So why the double standard - again?

Elsie Goh Siew Khim:

Suddenly Samy is talking some sense. I agree we must take severe action against this ‘racist' teacher as an example of our intolerance against such behavior.

But what about other racist slurs being used against Chinese and Indian like at the recent Bar Council forum?

Words like babi , ‘go to hell' and balik Cina were used on innocent people. What about the action and treatment by the BN-Umno regime on Anwar Ibrahim.

Speak up Samy or are you doing it because for this part, your Malay supremo gave you full permission to speak out for your lame political mileage?

This is the character of BN-Umno leaders. They are like that.

Peter Ooi:

I for one, agree with Samy Vellu that stern action must be taken against the teacher. To be honest, MIC is to be blamed that such derogatory remarks are made against the Indians.

This is not the first time that such despicable remarks are made against other races. They had been made in the past very frequently not only by teachers but even by political leaders.

Remarks like 'bathing the keris with Chinese blood' and others were made by leaders or MPs but did not even cause a stir among the BN component parties such as the MCA or MIC which just kept their eerie silence.

It is only the opposition and some NGOs that voiced their disgust.

Anyway, Samy Vellu, it is better late than never. As I said, I strongly agree that this particular teacher has to be sacked.

The ministry of education must send a strong message to others that such derogatory remarks are not to be tolerated.

The authorities must realise that schools are the seat of education where the direction of the country is determined. The attitude and character of our future citizens are moulded by the teachers and knowledge imparted.

If right from the beginning, hatred and discrimination against other races are instilled into the young minds, they would grow up with the said attitude.

Our country certainly does not need such type of citizens especially when the population is made up of so many races.

To save the nation from such rot , the teacher in question must be sacked. Period.

On Will Permatang Pauh stand by him?

Dr SK: Dr Sivamurugan Pandian has made a grave mistake. He has got his maths all wrong. He warned us all by saying that it will be a victory for BN if all 24, 642 Barisan Nasional voters came out in full force and voted for BN.

For his information, there is a total of 58, 459 voters in Permatang Pauh so minus 24, 642 from that figure and voila, you get a balance of Pakatan Rakyat voters totalling a whopping 33, 817!

Whereby DSAI will win handsomely with a majority of 9,175 votes.

Dr Sivamurugan Pandian must stop confusing people just because his father is a staunch BN and MIC supporter for the last 50 years in Tanjong Malim.

JTB: There are no two ways about it. The only person that BN should field as their candidate to defeat Anwar is Ezam Mohd Noor.

When he defected to Barisan he mentioned to the Malaysian public that he has evidence to prove Anwar's wrongdoing.

We can expect that after nomination he will reveal this evidence and once and for all destroy Anwar's hope of ever winning Permatang Pauh.

Ezam, if you as the logical candidate are not fielded by BN, then there is something very wrong. Then it is quite acceptable to adduce that Barisan Nasional does not trust you.

I say to Ezam, stand against Anwar in Permatang Pauh and defeat him soundly. If not you are nothing but another one like Saiful. We shall call a spade a spade.

On PM dismisses 'abuse of power' charge

FM Chen: I quote: ‘Quizzed on this, Abdullah offered a vague response. He said: "Once we have decided on the matter, then we would let ACA investigate."

Does the ACA needs to get permission from ‘Flip Flop' to investigate money politics and malpractices in Umno?

Why no investigations for PI Bala's statutory declaration?

YCS:

I quote: ‘A few days later, the ACA subsequently announced that they would call in both the prime minister and the deputy prime minister for questioning.

‘Quizzed on this, Abdullah offered a vague response. He said: "Once we have decided on the matter, then we would let ACA investigate.'

Does this mean that ACA reports to the prime minister?

Why bother even to have an ACA if there is no accountability, transparency and getting to the truth?

On Elegant Advisory case: Poll rules flouted

Meng:

Umno and BN have shown their true colors once again. A political party which have no respect for the law.

This is a case of double standards and shows that the Election Commission is not fair and is selective in its governing of elections in this country.

The man in charge of the Election Commission should resign with immediate effect.

BN and Umno should be taken to court for this gross injustice and the 2004 election be considered illegal.

On Corruption in Umno: Funny Muyiddin should mention it

Disgusted:

Yes, it is really funny that the honourable Tan Sri should mention this deplorable situation the country is beleaguered with.

He seems to be worried that corruption has steered its way to the grassroots level. Well, it has indeed made good progress, hasn't it?

It is funny though, as if corruption could be accepted at the higher levels, but not at the ground level. What a hypocrisy.

Perhaps Tan Sri is not aware that the whole country's administration has been contaminated by this dreadful plague for so many umpteen years and it needs a complete overhaul to project clean governance.

The core of corruption germinated from the helms of the Umno stewardship and has flowed downstream into the daily lives of us all.

Yes, Tan Sri Muhyiddin, we are rather surprised at your ignorance that you have portrayed all these years past.

Why speak now of corruption, especially when you put it as if the doors of corruption are only open to those in their high citadels. It is a bit too late, don't you think?