'The government cannot pass its responsibilities and fix the blame on others for not cooperating. The government has the resources to act on anything.'

On RM380b lost through graft over 20 years, Parliament told

Kaisim: Corruption in the country can never be checked and reduced if our prominent politicians keep on passing the buck to others. ‘If Morgan Stanley has more information than us, then you can advise Morgan Stanley to inform us so that we can act,’ said Nazri.

Similar excuses have been mentioned by ministers of the former PM whenever issues of corruption were mentioned. Some said: ‘Bring me the proof and witnesses’.

For years, these opportunists have had a good time as they know the hints given by the government. Corruption in the civil service became cancerous and spread even to the political parties. The will to act is not there.

The government and ministers cannot pass their responsibilities and fix the blame on others for not cooperating. The government has the resources to act on anything.

There is the ISA, OSA and several other laws where one can be investigated and charged in court. Why ask the people to do it?

In some countries, ministers would have to resign if they cannot do the job. In Malaysia, one can retire from the job with nothing to worry about.

For fifty years, the country lost millions if not billions to unscrupulous officers who retired in luxury and comfort with the cries against corruption still ringing in the public’s ears.

On Your say: 'They still get all-expenses paid holidays'

Datu Sukim Datu Pangilan: I am not judging everyone, but let I think our ministers and deputy ministers would be more than able to handle inflation and the high prices for goods with their income.

But for the common public, do you think they can afford it and for how long they can they resist inflation? Ministers should work for the benefit of the people.

Don’t let your own citizens down just because of the high prices of commodities in the market.

Munir: Government-paid holidays are just not for ministers and deputy ministers. Paid holidays are also for the civil servants who have worked for the government over a period of years.

The prime minister has mentioned that holidays will now only be within Asean countries. This is a already a sign of sacrifice on the part of the government to show that there is some cost-cutting.

Let’s not make out the hike in fuel prices as the end of the world. It’s a global problem. I am sure Pak Lah is not doing all this to give up the government to Pakatan Rakyat given the dismal performance of BN in the last election.

We cannot keep on being subsidised. We must adjust our living styles. Cut our expenses by quitting smoking or spending less on cigarettes. Those who are smoking a pack a day are spending RM8.20. Why not buy a small pack of 14s at RM5.90 and you will save RM2.30 a day?

This is a big savings and you can fill more than two litres of fuel a day. Why can’t we sacrifice so that the subsidies can go for other purposes? Why should we allow the government to subsidise the rich and non-Malaysians?

Let’s get on with our lives and plan some changes in our daily spending. Petronas needs to use their profits to explore new oil fields and not give all their profit to the government.

When oil dries up in the next 10 years within Malaysia, where is Petronas going to get oil?

They need to use their profits now for new explorations so that we will continue to receive the profits of Petronas for subsidies and national development. Let’s grow up.

On Multiracial MCA - are they sincere?

Yee: The Malaysian Chinese Association a multiracial party and United Malay National Organisation also wants to be a multiracial party? By virtue of their names themselves, they cannot be multiracial.

It is just meaningless words and perhaps a fashionable thing to say now. ‘We're multiracial’ given the current political climate.

The truth is that BN component parties do not know how to be multiracial as they have lived perhaps the last 30 years in suspicion and distrust. If BN truly wants to be multiracial, then the three main parties divided along race must cease to exist.

This is probably asking for the sky.

On 'Magnanimous Malay' or 'bully Malay' party?

Pragalath Thunderbird: With reference to the above-titled letter, I have no qualms donning a baju Melayu and a songkok but I can bet my last penny that I would not be able to see a pretty Malay lass wearing a saree .

On Rela raids: futile exercises of power

Cakehouse: I have recently started riding a motorbike instead of driving my car, in view of the hefty increase in petrol price. What that started as a journey of thrift soon descended into a new experience.

I got waved down a couple of nights ago while turning a corner, by a Rela member in full uniform holding a long stick. He directed me to stop abruptly at a spot with his stick.

There was another Rela member plus a few other plainclothes people standing around.

The plainclothes people could be cops but I can't for my dear life tell, because they were all in casual wear.

He proceeded to ask for my IC and driver's licence. After that he asked to look at my road tax. All my documents were in order and I got away.

I have the utmost respect for the law and an officer of the law carrying out his duty but I can't help thinking there is a blurring of the boundary of authority here.

The last time I read the papers, I thought I read the Rela members were supposed to concern themselves with the job of arresting refugees (even this is so controversial).

When did they get added powers to police citizens, check driver's license and road tax?

On Suhakam finds hardcore poverty in Sarawak

Abdul Hakim Bujang: I hope Suhakam is going to the right places. I would like to suggest to Suhakam to visit Kampung Tabuan in Kuching, the main contributor of crime news in Sarawak.

Another place worth visiting is an area locally known as Seberang Ulu Kuching, right across Kuching City, where wars once erupted among the neighbouring villagers.

Pak Lah must seriously do a post-mortem to vet how serious the poverty problem in Sarawak is, especially after price of essential goods doubled under his proven weak administration.

Frankly speaking, I bet that all of these hardcore poor would become instant millionaires if the assets belonging to Sarawak politicians are distributed equally, with three-quarters covered by the chief minister’s alone.

On CIMB customers in red over missing money

Garry Khoo: I applied for a home loan from AmBank and was told that it would operate on a reducing balance. I then paid my monthly installments plus an extra amount via their ATM each month.

I have paid extra for the past eight months and have over a thousand ringgit with them so imagine my shock when they told me this extra amount would not be offset against the principal loan amount.

Apparently, you must go to their bank counter and must inform the cashier first.

Then your payment slip will be stamped by a special stamp to indicate any extra amount will also be used to pay off the principal loan amount.

If you don’t do this, they will treat the payment as for the monthly amount only with the extra amount being retained by them at no interest.