Zaid's birthday wish is 'let Malaysiakini print'
Published: Apr 11, 2014 5:00 AM | Updated: Apr 11, 2014 9:48 AM
Former de facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim turned 63 yesterday. And in a blog posting, a number of his birthday wishes for the country are mentioned. One of them is related to Malaysiakini .
Former de facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim turned 63 yesterday. And in a blog posting, a number of his birthday wishes for the country are mentioned. One of them is related to Malaysiakini's publishing permit.
The wishes are meant for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's attention and among them is one calling for Malaysians to be allowed to read newspapers of their choice.
"... Malaysians can read whatever newspapers they wish - even newspapers published by Malaysiakini," reads the posting.
Despite the courts disagreeing with the ministry's decision not to grant a permit to the independent news portal, the issue still remains uncertain.
Recently, Home Minister Ahmad Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Malaysiakini's application was rejected because too many newspapers in the country would confuse Malaysians.
Malaysiakini is in the process of re-applying for a printing permit.
Meanwhile, Zaid also wished that Malaysia could have an independent radio station funded by the public, similar to United Kingdom's BBC.
The lawyer-turned-politician also called on Najib to limit the number of Datuk and Tan Sri awards conferred, to telecast live parliamentary debates between the prime minister and opposition leader, and for Malaysians to travel anywhere in the country without restriction.
"The prime minister will be remembered for a long time if he does the above, and they are all very ordinary and simple things that are often taken for granted in other countries.
"Why the prime minister doesn't want to be remembered for doing good things at little or no cost, this birthday boy doesn’t understand," reads the posting.
On a personal note, the posting also says that Zaid longs for a supercharged Jaguar Sports Coupe.
"Not having a supercharged Jaguar Sports Coupe is definitely one of the things that have rankled him no end. And with his stomach getting bigger each year, he really must have that car soon, or else he won't be able to fit in it.
"But despite his many disappointments and unfulfilled dreams, we can rest assured that he is blessed with a loving family and a close circle of friends.
"If there is a recognised index for personal happiness and contentment, he’d be at the top of the chart. Of that I have no doubt," the blog posting says.
The wishes are meant for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's attention and among them is one calling for Malaysians to be allowed to read newspapers of their choice.
"... Malaysians can read whatever newspapers they wish - even newspapers published by Malaysiakini," reads the posting.
Despite the courts disagreeing with the ministry's decision not to grant a permit to the independent news portal, the issue still remains uncertain.
Recently, Home Minister Ahmad Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Malaysiakini's application was rejected because too many newspapers in the country would confuse Malaysians.Malaysiakini is in the process of re-applying for a printing permit.
Meanwhile, Zaid also wished that Malaysia could have an independent radio station funded by the public, similar to United Kingdom's BBC.
The lawyer-turned-politician also called on Najib to limit the number of Datuk and Tan Sri awards conferred, to telecast live parliamentary debates between the prime minister and opposition leader, and for Malaysians to travel anywhere in the country without restriction.
"The prime minister will be remembered for a long time if he does the above, and they are all very ordinary and simple things that are often taken for granted in other countries.
"Why the prime minister doesn't want to be remembered for doing good things at little or no cost, this birthday boy doesn’t understand," reads the posting.
On a personal note, the posting also says that Zaid longs for a supercharged Jaguar Sports Coupe.
"Not having a supercharged Jaguar Sports Coupe is definitely one of the things that have rankled him no end. And with his stomach getting bigger each year, he really must have that car soon, or else he won't be able to fit in it.
"But despite his many disappointments and unfulfilled dreams, we can rest assured that he is blessed with a loving family and a close circle of friends.
"If there is a recognised index for personal happiness and contentment, he’d be at the top of the chart. Of that I have no doubt," the blog posting says.
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