Are they so small-minded and bankrupt of ideas that they have to resort to such tactics more so when we are so close to celebrating our 49th Merdeka anniversary where unity is the theme of the day?


On Khairy slammed for playing racial card

BOLH: Here we go again. Umno using the Chinese as the bogeyman for political gains. Are they so small-minded and bankrupt of ideas that they have to resort to such tactics, more so when we are so close to celebrating our 49th Merdeka anniversary where unity is the theme of the day?

Had the Chinese resort to such a move, I am sure the next thing you will see are Umno Youth members marching to the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall and threaten to burn it down again. When will they ever learn or grow up?

Pttan: He should stop using the Chinese as the bogeyman ala Harun style to deflect the broadside from Mahathir. Stop, or risk losing all that he has worked for. If he still harbours any hope of being PM, he has to work with the Chinese someday, so after crossing the political Rubicon, he should not attempt to burn the bridge (or boat) too. Or risk ending up like Harun did.

Ah Chong: I do not understand why all the brouhaha over Khairy's remarks? This is not the first for Umno Youth and neither will it be the last. Over the years, there have been extreme calls to support "the Malay struggle" and just recently, there was the Hishammuddin's keris waving stunt.

This is the sandiwara which the BN component parties play to justify one another's existence. Once in a while, Umno Youth will say something extreme, or MCA will, and the other component parties will go out to condemn it. In this way, the various communities remain divided and each component party can continue to exist to look after the interest of their own community. This is the Merdeka formula.

I prefer to think that BN no longer reflects the image of the country. The communities are more integrated than the government of the day. There are greater issues that go beyond communal politics and they involve civil liberties, hardcore poverty, international trade and domestic business, rising crime rates, endemic corruption, etc.

As Jacob George in one of his letters said, "Do not question my love the country. The question should be - does my country love me?"


On UPM scuffle: No action against mob

Jimmy Puah: This is a scandalous decision; nothing short of a joke, except the joke is on the victims.

This adds a whole new gloss to the clich 'turning a blind eye'. The video evidence clearly shows the students from the SPF camp were on the receiving end of some rather disturbing bullying and taunting. And in the most bizarre fashion, after reviewing the video evidence, UPM vice-chancellor Prof Dr Nik Mustapha shamelessly claimed that the SPF camp students were merely being threatened and therefore no disciplinary action needs to be taken against
the pro-establishment students.

I am flabbergasted. Is Prof Dr Nik Mustapha telling me and the rest of Malaysia that threatening other people is an acceptable practice and culture in our society? This incredulous statement reflects the poor leadership in our local varsities.

Stripping off all racial and political elements in this incident, there must be a need to punish the mob. Just imagine what kind of message is being sent out by this decision? Surely the eminent professor would at least have the foresight that this decision might galvanise and indeed encourage other students to adopt this thug culture in resolving disputes or worse, implementing their political views.

Is this what the government really wants?

Peter Ooi: Words cannot describe my anger upon reading that no action would be taken against those 'mobsters'. The reasons given by the vice-chancellor for doing so are flimsy and silly.

Firstly, he said that he preferred to educate them rather than punishing them. My God! At their age, these mobsters are still not taught that intimidation or threats are strictly offensive. Mr Vice Chancellor, go ask any uneducated hawkers on the street, whether those actions are permissible or not. Their answers would probably make your so-called 'highly educated undergraduates' look like uncivilised and 'kurang ajar' morons.

On top of that, your statement that the incident was 'localised' made you look just as stupid as those 'mobsters'. Mr VC, are you going to wait for a full-blown racial conflict before actions are taken? This shows that you are not suitable for your VC post. The saying 'nip the problem in the bud' must be very foreign to you.

When asked whether the students are still holding their posts, again your stupidity shows glaringly. Your answer was that their term of office is coming to an end and thus implying that no actions need to be taken. So by simple extension, if a bank manager is caught misappropriating fund and about to retire, then no action is to be taken too because his term as manager is coming to an end. I really cannot believe such a stupid statement could come from a man of your standing, Mr VC.

Insignificant soul: Well, the outcome is not surprising because this was expected in the first place. What do you expect from these people, fair punishment for those thugs? Dream on! It is fortunate enough that the SPF student members were not punished instead. Please don't be surprised later that they (SPF members) will be dealt with discreetly.

I need to salute this Prof Dr Nik Mustapha R Abdullah (wonder how he got his academic degree?) who has the balls to speak crap and twisted the facts at the press conference. Let us all now applaud UPM for a job well done for successfully educating and producing thugs strongly required by the Youth wing of our ruling party.

Voiceout Voicein: A professor who has eyes but cannot see, and who has ears but cannot hear. Let's pray that the students take cue from their surroundings and stop listening to people without eyes and ears. It will do them some good to look at themselves in the mirror and view the video about their action. It's difficult to blame them 100 percent as they are still young and if the authority simply whitewash the whole episode; what is to be expected from these boys?


On 1988 judicial crisis: Strong backing for Bar's call

Ahmad Fuad: The surest and shortest way to re-open investigations (which I support wholly) is through a change of government!

Malaysians of all colours, size and race owe it to their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to re-open the above, and all the other abuses by all parties in power, over the last 20 years or so. Do it so that these abuses will never ever be repeated for as long as the sun rises in the east!