YOURSAY 'This is in contrary to what the PM had told overseas students that the administration would also want to listen to their inputs.'

Discussion held in the dark after UPM blocks venue

Oriole: These are examples of the primitive levels of understanding of public universities. Such heads of institutions are merely helping to put their respective institutions - both UM (Universiti Malaya) and UPM (University Putra Malaysia) - in the garbage heap.

It looks like students in private institutions will benefit from this sort of exposure and develop their critical facilities while public universities will be relegated to third-class facilities to graduate ‘lembu’ (cows) and buffaloes.

Lynn: Simply ridiculous. Our university administrators and the government are only showing how scared they are of students actually learning and participating in healthy debates.

Not Smart: If the authorities continue to suppress and prevent such discussions among students, to provide suggestions to the country's growth, the tension and resistance will built up and the consequence may be unpleasant.

This is in contrary to what the PM had told overseas students, that the administration would also want to listen to their inputs as they will be the future leaders, eventually.

How is this going to take place with such obstacles?

Fogbom: The current establishment is mortally afraid of new ideas. This is clinically termed "cenophobia".

They are also afraid of new things and new experiences - "neophobia". New ideas, however clear and well-proven, cannot be implemented until those who consider them ‘new’ die and are replaced by new generations who consider the ideas old and accepted.

So this aging geriatric generation of leaders will, in the normal course of events, be supplanted by new leaders. Except that they have installed a state-run apparatus for systematically brainwashing, based on the old, outdated thinking, certain sections of the population, eg, students, rural people without access to the Internet, the military and police.

So the process of change takes longer. But it is inevitable. The Institute of Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) has just experienced firsthand the oppressive hand of neophobia and cenophobia. Please remain strong and be of good spirits.

Not Confused: No wonder Malaysian students are lower and lower in the international rankings. They not only have to endure sub-standard lecturers, but are barred from holding debates and discussions, intimidated and harassed.

The university authorities are scared stiff that their students actually might have an opportunity to think for themselves, rather than be shepherded like a load of sheep. Really sad to see them acting like bully boys with security and video cameras.  Half-baked thinking!

Bianca Lee: It is a joke we call Malaysia a democratic country. The speaker, who I believe is a professional who has held such talks before, has been treated like a suspect of a crime.

I suppose the students are fearful of being seen to be attending such talks, when such exchange of ideas are healthy for them. This country is going to the dogs.

CiViC: I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation for restricting the Institute of Democracy and Economic Affairs. It's either discussion on economy forms a threat to the nation, otherwise it must be democracy that should not be discussed.

Gov't was right in setting up PKFZ, says Ling

Ferdtan: "The government was right in setting up PKFZ (Port Klang Free Zone)," says former transport minister Ling Liong Sik.

Obvious, isn't it? It gives the opportunity for some leaders in BN government to gain from its exploitation through illegal means. Now, since Ling is freed from criminal charges, it means that there was no PKFZ's scandal. Right?

It is hard to believe that money can disappear from our eyes and no one is caught. This is a perfect crime.

Clearwater: When will PKFZ be able to redeem its multi-billion ringgit in indirect government guaranteed bonds from its own revenue flows? That alone will decide whether PKFZ is doing well, not some self-serving statement from a discredited ex-politician.   

Pemerhati: "Mahathir had said that I didn't cheat him and the cabinet, and no one had complained about it... I agree with the judge," Ling said.

What this translates to in real terms is that the modern-day Ali Baba said that one of his thieves didn’t cheat him and all his fellow thieves, and none of the other thieves had complained about the theft.

This thief agrees with the kangaroo judge who carried out the farcical trial. The trial had the main actors from the previous farcical Altantuya Shaariibuu trial where the defence, prosecution and the judge colluded and carried out a ‘sandiwara’ to protect the person who had the motive for Altantuya’s murder.

Onyourtoes: What stupid argument. If the project is required and is now doing well, are we supposed to get it at any cost? Which country has a project like PKFZ that eventually cost more than RM12 billion?  

Are you guys transacting gold bars in PKFZ? It is not a crime to be stupid, but I don’t think any of you involved in this project was stupid. So, who exactly benefitted disproportionately from the huge sum the government is now saddled with?  

Oh yes, let me remind you - don’t simply invoke God’s name into this.  God is the ultimate judge and He alone decides when to dispense judgment and retribution.

Apapunboleh: My last visit was about five months ago. All I could see was thousands of imported cars in the open field. Most, if not 90 percent of the factory lots were unoccupied. Other than Aker/Baker plants, it was like a ghost town.

Sirach: Ling may have been exonerated by the court, but serious questions linger about his culpability. The issue is whether he is considered innocent in the court of public opinion. One doubts it.

The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. Over the past one year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now.