I refer to the Malaysiakini report Rais: Najib will pick those with clean records.

Dr Rais Yatim, the foreign minister, should confine his comments to his ministry. He should cut the 'crap' on what his boss can or can't do. His statements are simply stating the obvious.

If he hopes for a role in Najib Razak's cabinet and considers himself and former premier Mahathir Mohamad as old talents, he should be put in charge of recycling.

The opposition sneers at what the government has done by releasing the ISA detainees and lifting the ban on Harakah and Suara Keadilan because in the first place the government had done something wrong. What is so commendable about righting a wrong? Instead, the government owes those wronged people an apology instead of expecting a slap on the back.

If the public is cynical it is because the government is full of tricks.

For a start, why bring back an old man whose ideas are so out of touch with a new generation of Malaysians who don't need great-grandpa to tell them how to suck eggs? Great-grandpa will not be around to suffer the hardships of his silly and failed policies.

If not for Petronas, the country would have gone bankrupt from the failed Multimedia Super Corridor, Perwaja Steel etc. Malaysians are now suffering from twenty-two years of bad policies and don't want any more.

He told Malaysians to get into politics if they want to be political. How come he is not following his own advice? Double standards again?

Pak Lah was the gentleman. But Mahathir not only made a fool of himself by opposing the one he put in power. He tarnished the country's image by broadcasting his displeasure against Pak Lah in London. How unkind can you get?

If it was Lim Kit Siang or Karpal Singh or Anwar Ibrahim who spoke to BBC like that, they would be charged for sedition. But Mahathir can say anything about anyone without getting into trouble. How come like that also got?

We don't need people like Mahathir around. He has a peace movement but only spreads hatred. Such people lack a gracious spirit and are not a good example for Malaysians. Pak Lah is a better role model than Mahathir.

So Rais thought Najib would pick only clean and talented people for his cabinet. Where would he find such people? Najib himself is already tainted with many unresolved allegations. Why do they think the public can be tricked by their dishonest talk?

The problem with Rais's remarks are they are so shallow and illogical. It is so typical of those politicians who think that the rakyat are stupid and that what comes out of their mouths are pearls of wisdom, that the rakyat must all accept. Rais can say such nonsense because he was in government. And if you are in government you can say what you like.

If a robber gives you back stuff they stole from you, would you think he is a good person? Of course not. He should not have robbed you in the first place. Yet Rais wants the people to be grateful to Najib.

The government should not have done the wrong things against the innocent people in the first place. Trying to pretend to do good to win votes is so low down. Stop fooling around with the rakyat, Rais. We smell a rat!