Ordering the controversial Ethnic Relations textbook to be with drawn is not enough, says a reader. Action should also be taken against those who compiled the offensive text and by doing this, the government will demonstrate to the world that it respects non-Malay sensitivities. Readers also respond to Anwar's disclosure on Bank Negara's forex losses, the proposed RM490 million sports centre in London, Pak Lah breaking his 'elegant silence' and the haze among others.


On PM: Ethnic relations book will be withdrawn

Vijay: After Mustapha made an absolute fool of himself trying to defend a totally offensive book, our beloved prime minister finally woke up from his stupor and decided that the book would be withdrawn.

This could be his first concrete action in more than two years but he should not stop there. Whoever wrote that book, distributed it, and made it compulsory reading in the university should be charged for sedition.

All the spin doctors in the world cannot hide the "historical fact" that the book is seditious. What would the reaction have been if someone had come out with a book attributing May 13 to the Malays because they could not bear to see the political rise of a non-Malay party?

There have been numerous occasions when some author or publisher was prosecuted for writing articles deemed offensive to Malays or Islam. The government should similarly take stern action in this case and demonstrate to the world, and particularly to our local racial fanatics, that non-Malays, too, have sensitivities that should be respected.

Any failure to do so would simply mean that more worms would crawl out to push the envelope further since certain sectors would believe themselves above the law.

Incidentally, under what article of the UN Charter has it now become acceptable to kill members of a community who "misbehave and should be taught a lesson"? What was really shocking was the Kampong Medan murders were so casually justified.

I can just imagine the news tomorrow. The shameful book would be passed off as "it was all a misunderstanding and everything has now been solved in the true Barisan spirit of tolerance and harmony".

And this accompanied by a photo of our politicians giving that utterly stupid smile that only politicians can give. Excuse me a moment while I puke.

MSY: It is not true that this BN is a continuation of the policies from Tunku Abdul Rahman. Tunku died a very sad man because he was ousted by his very own.

Umno Baru in BN should not take credit for the work of Tunku and Hussein Onn because they did not become members of the new Umno led by the aggressive former PM.

For the record and for minister of higher education 's benefit, this is history and it is factual.


On MPs up in arms, Mustapa grilled over textbook

Disappointed: It is again proven that the cabinet is filled with half-past-six people as described by Tun. These ministers are simply saying things for the sake of saying them.

They utter nonsense and try to insult our intelligence. It is really disheartening and shameful that they were chosen to represent the people of Malaysia.


On Gov't never intended to build RM490 mil sports complex

David: Did the NSC or the Youth and Sports Ministry support those successful athletes like Nicol, Beng Hee, Ben Leong, Josiah when they were training in Europe?

KSN: A small note about the state of affairs of sports in our country. Speaking about the lack of playgrounds to be provided by housing estate developers but not provided, our PM of 22 years, now unhappily retired, said that there is no need to play outdoor games, play indoor games!

As has been said by so many about the half a billion stupidity, just provide space and facilities in schools, kampungs, housing estates and encourage, motivate and provide training under proper coaches. Things will take off by themselves like the old days.

The sports facilities have not kept pace with population growth etc. I rest my case.

Meng: It is clear now that our cabinet ministers all work at different tangents and no project is properly discussed through before a public statement is made. Decisions are haphazard.

I have said here earlier that the money should be channeled to improving sports facilities and school fields. If we use he RM490 million for improving school fields, leaving out the community sports complexes, the government could improve 1,960 schools assuming each school field would cost RM250,000 to improve.

That's a lot of children who would benefit from this and many potential sportsmen arising as a result not counting the positive effects on the community and families thereby reducing social ills and crime.


On Pak Lah breaks 'elegant silence'

One Malaysian: Hooray Pak Lah! Thank you for breaking your silence. Now, please lead the way. We need a leader.

A leader to show us the right way to tackle the challenges we are facing. A leader for the nation. A leader for all Malaysians.

A leader who has the heart and mind to see it through and you are the man! If you lead, we will follow. More than that, we will back you up.

Lead on!

Concerned for Malaysia: Pak Lah should act now (unless he is also tarnished) against Dr M and get the ACA to get Dr M to "show cause" on how he accumulated such wealth on a PM's salary.

It should put a stop to the interference which Pak Lah faces daily in the running of the government. If Pak Lah has nothing to hide, then action is a must.

If this does not happen, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) should recruit intellectuals based on the population make-up to stand against every BN candidate.

If they win, this will be a golden opportunity for them to clean up Malaysia and put it back on the right course. They must declare their policies first and stick to them.

I am sure the people of Malaysia are fed up with the dirty politics of the BN and the continuing racial politics being practised by some "monkeys" in the present Parliament.

BN cannot keep blaming the past colonial "masters" for the state of the country. We got our independence in 1957 (almost 47 years ago). Surely if the government was sincere in its management of the country, the state in which Malaysia is at present can only rest fairly and squarely on the shoulders of the BN and nobody else.


On Forex loss: Anwar names those responsible

Syed Imran Syed Ahmad: If what Brother Anwar Ibrahim said is the truth, is he willing to take whatever action, legally, that is to bring the culprits, whoever they are, to court?

It is no use crying over spilt milk if we are not willing to do something about it.

YSM: Those responsible for the Bank Negara's losses must go to jail. Until there is justice and the rakyat's money accounted for, the BN government shall live with this ghost on its back.

This is Pak lah's error in that he did not have the fortitude to bring to justice all the past wrong and it is now coming back to bite him. It is not too late with all the revelations from Tajuddin to the ex-Tenaga Nasional head to Anwar Ibrahim.

There is sufficient evidence to call for a public inquiry. The AG will then have to prosecute.

Pot and Black Kettle: Anwar has been frank in his recent interview. My question is: Has he disclosed everything there is to be disclosed. Is there anything that he still think is ''small'' at this moment.

Don't wait another seven years to tell us that he thought it was ''small'' like when malaysiakini interviewed him in 2006.

He knew about wrongdoings when he was finance minister but did not take steps to do anything or to confront the PM as he was afraid that he will be booted out if did so'.

Ah, the desire to cling to power for power's sake instead of doing what is right. In a sense I am glad that Anwar is not our prime minister today.

YSM: In some countries like the Philippines, the punishment for crime of plunder is death by hanging. It is a serious matter as nobody can dispense the rakyat's money as and when to his or her whims and fancy.

The three mentioned by Anwar must be investigated and if found guilty must be brought to justice. Let the people not rest until there is justice and if the BN does not cleanse itself, then the people must make sure we make it clear in no uncertain terms come the next general elections.


On PKR ticks off PRM for 'misleading' public

Sun Wang: As an outsider to our party PRM, Tian Chua has no right to tell the inside story of PRM.

I joined PRM over 40 years ago. I know my party well. I cannot accept those opportunists out destroy our party.


On Haze persists over parts of Malaysia

Meng: This has become a common phenomena in Southeast Asia. Year in and year out, nothing seems to happen. This just shows the weak political will between the two countries in putting a stop to the forest fires.

Is it possible to stop it? Of course. Remember 1998 when the Commonwealth Games were held in Kuala Lumpur? That was the only year we did not have a haze. How is that possible?

Only that there was a strong political will and things happened.


On PAS slams Muslim world's 'deafening' silence

Hooi: Maybe the Arab governments are finally getting tired with Hamas and the Hizbullah and their backers Syria and Iran playing fire in their backyard rather than their own.

After decades of combined forces and still they cannot break Israel and with Israel finally making some sort of concession to the Palestinians, why not give their version of peace a chance?

Maybe the PAS should also take note of 'deafening silence' by the rest of the world. Muslims seem to be involved in bloody conflicts everywhere from Africa to Asia, Europe to America. Maybe the world is showing their displeasure ?