vox populi small thumbnail'Has Kedah Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang forgotten that a few years ago when it was Deepavali, Umno was having its AGM.'

PAS, PKR 'biadap' for demonstrating on CNY

Kleo: Is Kedah Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang for real? Citizens of Malaysia demonstrate to show solidarity for Egyptians and the best argument he can come up with is that the police had to work overtime on CNY (Chinese New Year)?

1) Tan should go and find out how many Chinese are in PDRM and come back and tell us.

2) Who invited the police to the peaceful protest anyway?

3) Is Tan suggesting that all protests henceforth should be held on weekdays, between 9am to 5pm, and not on public holidays (because heaven forbid, Utusan Malaysia reporters should work on their day of rest). Or perhaps we should make a ruling so that no two demonstrations are held on consecutive days. After all, we don't want to strain our water cannons, do we?

P Dev Anand Pillai: Has Tan forgotten that a few years ago when it was Deepavali, Umno was having its AGM. What do you call that?

Well, Tan is the product of the Chinese youth who are taught to always suck up and pander to their political masters. If the pregnant woman who was slapped by the cops who raided her shop were to be dead today, morons like this politician will have his sumptuous CNY feast first before deciding what to do next.

MySecret: Why is there the Chinese fable about burning fire crackers and having red all around during CNY? To scare off the monster which was terrorising the village. In this instance, it was to overthrow tyranny in Egypt.

We Malaysian stand behind this cause. You, on the other hand, can go ahead and ‘kow tow' to your racist Umno master.

Geronimo: Hello, Tan, trying to score some brownie points again, eh? I am a Chinese Malaysian and I say the demonstration was okay. I guess all you fellows in Gerakan have brains the size of dinosaurs, pea-size that is.

Onyourtoes: I am a Chinese too, and I feel perfectly alright for the demonstration to be held when the cause is right. When there is a good reason for it, anytime is a good time.

What do mean civil servants like the police have to work overtime due to the demonstration? That is where you can never get the pulse of the people despite being a politician.

Who asked the police to be there? There is no necessity for their presence. Did the demonstrators try to burn any tyre in the middle of the road? In fact, we just need a few police officers to march along side with demonstrators and I am sure no untoward incidence would have happened.

The demonstration has lots of implications in our own struggle here - a Muslim country, despite their very capable people, has remained largely poor and shackled for years under dictatorial rule. I know what you are thinking; you are concerned that the demonstration will snowball into one like in Cairo.

Md Imraz Muhammed Ikhbal: If I was a Chinese myself, I'd be proud that my New Year was initiated and graced with compassionate Malaysians who selflessly stand up against tyranny by such show of solidarity against an oppressive government.

That is way more than I can say for Tan and Gerakan, who tries to stir up racial sentiments for the sole purpose of scoring political mileage, which literally makes them an embarassment to the entire Chinese community.

Myop101: Tan, if it is to speak up against injustice using peaceful means, it is perfectly fine to do it on CNY or any festive seasons for that matter.

However, those wicked and evil people who only cares about lining their pockets and organising open houses and claim to fight for the rights of people, they should be called hypocrites.

Patrick Yong: There's no point of celebrating CNY when there is injustice happening to our fellow Malaysians. Please Tan, you do not represent me nor my family. Please go back to your cave.


Dislodging Article 153 will tear society apart

Cala: I suspect Shad S Faruqi is overreacting. First, to me the difference between ethnic hegemony and ‘ketuanan' is small.

Second, all laws are man-made and their true meanings are subject to interpretations. In practice, the ruling elites get to interpret the laws in ways that suit their political objectives, a field under historical institutionalism. To look for perfect answers hence is a waste of time. Inequality is inequality no matter how you put it.

Third, since Shad is advocating evolutionary change for the better, current provisions in laws require a second look. In this regard, no one can run away from addressing the issue of affirmative action provisions.

Fourth, I see no problem here. The proper title in his paper has been acknowledged. To keep Shad happy, he may consider issuing ‘his statement' as a way to prevent any mistake in quoting him.

Dood: I'm not trying to be political here, but I don't see what's wrong with translating "ketuanan Melayu" as "ethnic hegemony". It seems to me to be an accurate interpretation as far as language goes.

Democrat: Many countries implement affirmative policy which give privileges in certain areas like education and employment which are equalising factors in any society, but they are certainly not a privileged and forever permanent position, and certainly not for 'instant' Malays who are of recent migrants and converts.

Umno has abused Article 153 and hijacked the government machinery for its own political hegemony. It is this that has got to stop, otherwise it will tear the country apart.

Proarte: Is recognising and promoting equality something untenable or outrageous? How can anyone claim to be Muslim and yet promote racism?


S'wak Report: Taib's bomoh a millionaire?

Anonymous: Every square inch of land, river, swamp and native land in Sarawak now belongs to Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud. The natives have been had their land stolen by Taib and his friends under their noses. Perhaps his personal bomoh's magic is stronger than the natives'.

Meranti Kepong: It is disgusting to know that Taib Mahmud employs black magic to plunder the wealth of Sarawak and use such supernatural powers to protect his ill-gotten gains.

ExUmnoMan: Pity Sarawakians, they're still not brave enough to stand up for their very rights. Maybe they need another 50 to 100 years before they open up their eyes and minds.


Deletion in Hansard: S'wak assembly's dignity at stake

Passing Cloud: Omitting parts of Violet Yong's speech from the Hansard is the ultimate in abuse by the Sarawak state assembly, as grave as the erasure of immigration record of the tragically murdered Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu.

Her speech touched on, among other things, the families of Taib Mahmud and DCM Dr George Chan, the father-in-law of CM's son.

Its omission should be relentless fought at the local and international level until it is fully restored in the printed transcript of the Hansard.

 

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