It is indeed a concern if the interests of Malays in Penang can only be safeguarded by a Malay chief minister, says a reader.



On Umno wings push on despite PM's 'no'

Shak Mihad: It is indeed a concern if the interests of Malays in Penang can only be safeguarded by a Malay chief minister. Doesn't that imply that if a Malay becomes CM in Penang, the interests of the other races will suffer? It appears we are still playing the zero-sum racial game where one race can only be taken care of at the expense of other races. But is that really true?

If there is systematic discrimination of the Malays in Penang, we should all hear about them. And if there is evidence of such injustice, those responsible should be taken to task, by all Malaysians. On the other hand, if the same set of challenges are faced by all, yet one group again demands to be treated favourably above the rest, I'll be less sympathetic.

Let move on as a people. Let no one demand that someone's legs be amputated to be used as crutches by some others.

Stanley Koh: The sun rotates around the rotating planet Earth. The whole galaxy rotates in momentum of the giant design of the universe of galaxies. If Umno Penang is not happy with the leadership of Gerakan, and they wanted Umno leadership on a rotating basis, we, as Malaysian voters propose the prime minister post be rotated among all major races as we are also not entirely happy with the Umno leadership.

MSY: BN's racial politics game is coming around to bite them in the rear. It was OK when there was a strong leader who would say 'stop!' And based on his age and authority, all would stop. I recall Tun Mahathir's racial remarks against the Malays just before he handed the reins to Pak Lah when he was asked about having a Malay chief minister for Penang, and yet Umno Youth kept quiet then.

Robert Hoh: One principle applies. If the Umno Youth wing wants this principle applied to Penang then, the same principle should applied right through the entire system. It should be applied in every state and the federal government where the Barisan holds the majority. What is sauce for the goose is also sauce for the gander. Will Umno Youth accept this principle?

Ang Wee Kiong: What a joke. Rent-seekers will always assume that others are given more when the truth is that non-Malays, knowing that they cannot depend on hand-outs by the government, just go out to work and save harder. Obviously, the Penang government could not give freely to the Malays because KL had not been giving sufficiently to Penang for many years.

There is of course a hidden agenda in that. Everyone knows that except the perpetrators who chose to be ignorant and start blaming the government for not helping them sufficiently. Ask the non-Malays. What help has the state government of Penang given them that the Malays were not given.

Get real, Umno Youth.


On Dr M denies trying to bring down gov't

Lau: Why not build the crooked bridge with condition Dr M indemnify Malaysia for potential losses if Singapore successfully sued us?

Sean Cheah: In my opinion, Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz should just shut up and mind his own business. Otherwise, he will just live up to his reputation of being a 'lalang'. I hope he doesn't forget his roots and try to gain cheap publicity by making some stupid statement. Don't disgrace Malaysians. Grow up!


On Q&A: I want to help Anwar make a comeback

Pro-Indian: Mr Nalla, I do not know you. But for someone who would rather face the death sentence (at worst) and the ISA (at best), than betray a friend, morally, you have to be better than the entire MIC leadership put together!

I hope all Malaysians of Indian origin have it in them to distinguish between "emas and suasa", between "intan and kaca". Together with those Malay and Chinese chauvinist parties, MIC had been given ample time and numerous chances to do something that is productive and beneficial to the society at large. Alas! What do we have? Like its other two life-long partners, it has a president with almost God-given powers.

Who can forget the Telecoms shares issue? The Maika funds? Nalla, through PKR, deserve that chance from the Indian community.

Meng: It is time for a new politics that better reflects the Malaysian society. Nallakaruppan in malaysiakini's report suggested that Keadilan could be that new party that is truly multiracial. Enough of BN's racial games.


On 'Big, fat no' to dropping bumi privileges

NCCC: We need to be tough, and must ensure that our people rice bowl is protected. The ministry concern without second thoughts, should be ready to discontinue the said talk with US, if US not willing to adhere our demand.

If the talk proceeds without any special provision to protect the weak, that would jeopardise the whole nation. This is not good.

ViVo: Don't tell me after this years of practising affirmative action, there's still no changes for bumiputera's wealth status? It's public knowledge that only certain group of bumiputera can get government tenders as its done in closedoor. Of course, there's so much to hide, that's why its close-door tender. After the contracts were tendered, only then its open for public to accept the decision. Big, Fat, Smart or just Big, Fat Blood Suckers?


On Traffic fines: Ministers ignore deadline

HJ Angus: This is a national disgrace when ministers openly flout the law. I conducted a simple poll on my blog and the most popular course of action for the IGP to take was "Issue warrants of arrest for ministers".

This action was favoured by 58%, or 18 respondents. I guess the police officer has more difficulty is serving a warrant on senior ministers. If a simple issue like traffic offences is so hard to act open, how do we even tackle tougher issues like improper conduct or corruption?


On M'sians told to boycott Coca-Cola, Starbucks

Dr Gabriel Walter: Malaysians for Peace, the Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia (PPIM) and the Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association should first investigate who will be most effected by those actions. Last check, except for the island of Hawaii, US does not grow coffee. In fact, they have helped driven up the price of coffee all over the world, helping millions of poor coffee growers.

And why stop with just products that don't matter? Let them be reminded that every computer in the world is run by American-made Intel and AMD chips. Internet has its root in the US military research. Yahoo and Google is based in US. Microsoft is one of the biggest US corporation. Dell is also a large US corporation. All these corporations employ thousands of Malaysians. Why not boycott those? Lets not propose ridiculous ideas and look silly.