On The king needs to intervene

Nitha Malar: While many view our monarchy’s role as merely symbolic, I believe the sovereign has certain rights when the country is in a crisis. If acts must be invoked to make a change in government, it should be done promptly.

We, the ordinary people have already been doing everything in our ability to best serve the country. But if it is going to take a sovereign power to have the final say, its time the monarchy stepped up to the plate.

RK: I fully support the king’s intervention at this time of severe political stalemate facing our country. Whether it is in keeping with protocol or not, I seriously think the current situation and the worsening political, social, economic and investment climate in our country coupled with the status of the present government warrants an immediate action by Anwar Ibrahim to approach the king to show proof that he has majority support in the August House.

He can then obtain the king’s blessing and if the king is satisfied with the evidence produced by Anwar, he can seek an order from his majesty to ask for the resignation of the PM.

Alternatively the king may want to re-confirm Anwar’s claim by ordering the Speaker to convene an emergency sitting of the Parliament to seek a vote on a motion of no-confidence against the PM and a vote of confidence for Anwar after which Anwar can seek an audience with the king to be appointed as PM.

John Z: In the currently volatile political arena, I understand why the king has been rather quiet. We must first and foremost realise that the reason for the continued existence of the royalty is to serve as a vestige of Malay civilisation and that the royalty is seen as, and is, the protector of the Malay people. So it's understandable why the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has been silent all this time.

If he is overzealous, Umno's spin machine might make him out to be a ruler who sold out his people to Anwar. So, if he in fact supports a more liberal Malaysia, he must tread a very careful path so as not to look like he is pandering to ‘outsiders’. That is why he will move very slowly and quietly.

Therefore, I would suggest to people who are looking at the Agong for a more proactive role in these times to look somewhere else.

On Police: Don't speculate on gov't takeover

Densemy: I really do have a lot of trouble coming to terms with the fact that police officers are making statements about the political stability of the country. As I see it, the police are public servants, answerable to the people, not a minister or the government of the day.

The police are using fear tactics to demoralise the people of Malaysia. They have shown in the recent past that they are not adverse to the unethical use of tactics and weapons against their fellow men and women.

Lim Leong: I find Ismail Omar's statement ridiculous at best and despicable at worst.

The role of the police in a civil society is to uphold the criminal justice system and to remain politically neutral.

The fact of the matter is, whichever political party has the most support from the people will get to rule the country legitimately. The police must have no role in intimidating the people in choosing which party or coalition to support.

The sad thing in Malaysia is that the primary role of the police appears to be serving their political master first and foremost. Grossly abusing their duty to maintain order, we have also witnessed how badly they handle peaceful demonstrations, not thinking twice about arresting the innocent while letting the guilty roam free.

I bet the crime rate in Malaysia would be a lot lower if the police could channel their energy into fighting crime instead of intimidating the people.

Lucian: All Malaysians agree that we are entitled to a stable, peaceful, fair and safe country. But the situation in the country is currently tense because of many factors including a global economic downturn and local political instability.

All the issues plaguing the country have been actively debated and reported in the media without any violence, bloodshed or unruly demonstrations. I salute all Malaysians who have matured to the extent of being able to discuss our differences without resorting to violence. We certainly don’t need the police to remind us to remain calm.

Simon Yip: I wonder if our police is working for the rakyat or those in power. When they warn people against speculating on a change of government, are they standing on the side of those in power or standing on the side of the rakyat ? I think this is equivalent to intimidating the rakyat on behalf of those in power.

Jesmine: I am shocked that the deputy chief of police is warning Malaysians not to be active citizens fighting for the country we love. If we don’t fight for Malaysia, who will?

Rumors of a government takeover? Where have you been? Have you not been following the incidents happening in Malaysia? A change in government is inevitable, just you wait and see. Or are you worried that the truth may set the rakyat free?

Of course we will speak out against the unfair detentions under the ISA because we know the main reason for the arrests was to safeguard the power of a few at the top. We cannot hide the obvious, now can we?

We are becoming a thinking rakyat and are proud of our ability to see through the actions of a desperate government.

And please stop asking us to not tarnish the image of the country. I think the government is perfectly able to do it themselves, what with the ISA arrests and the ‘study trip’ to Taiwan, just to name a few.

The rakyat wants the best for the country. Pity we can’t say the same about the government.

On Malaysia's 'worst in the world' taxis

JL: I totally agree with the writer that we have the worst taxi service in the world. This does not only affect tourists but locals as well. I have lost count of the times I have cursed the authorities for allowing the problem to become epidemic. I now dread hailing a taxi.

Why are taxi drivers behaving in this manner? Are only unscrupulous men becoming taxi drivers or are these ‘desperate’ men merely trying to earn a living? Is this a reflection of our system which has become so corrupt that it is unable to enforce our rights?

Hansan: I have traveled to over 25 countries and over 200 cities in the world so I can't help but echo the statement that Malaysia has the worst taxi service anywhere in the world. Washington DC previously used a very tourist-unfriendly zoning system. But even that was

abolished recently. If city officials in Washington DC have successfully battled an extremely tough union, I wonder why KL City Hall can't do the same?

It leaves me with only one explanation, officials somehow benefit from the abuse. Is it so hard to control and monitor taxi drivers? We have a record number of government agencies but none is powerful enough to face up to some taxi drivers, it seems.

Birdseye: This is one survey that every Malaysian should have no problem accepting. Errant taxi drivers are a long standing problem yet the transport ministry has done little to overcome the problem. Now the whole world knows.