Perhaps we should redefine the Malays who are entitled to benefit from NEP. You can't have a bumiputera millionaires or those Malays who have made it in life and still enjoying the NEP.


On NEP will destroy the Malays

RR: Syabas Khalid! You are not only a towering Malay but also a visionary who is truly interested in building the Malay race through the competitive spirit (rather than by spoon feeding) in both education and training.

From this, the best Malays, Chinese and Indians and others will emerge to secure a better future for all Malaysians by doing away with the misery of our poor and needy of whatever race or religion, and to create world-class leaders (which will include a good number of Malays) to confront the country's global challenges.


Sangkancil: The NEP has become a vicious circle. Rent-seekers won't let go. We should teach the Malays how to fish rather than just giving them fish. Perhaps we should redefine the Malays who are entitled to benefit from NEP. You can't have a bumiputera millionaires or those Malays who have made it in life and still enjoying the NEP. Such person should be classified as a non-bumi as far as NEP is concerned. In this way, other poor Malays will benefit and can uplift themselves in the economic ladder.

Nevertheless, it is time we look at the poor Indians and poor Chinese as well. We should be moving towards Bangsa Malaysia.


Truly Malaysian: The birth of affirmative action insofar as legislation is concerned is born out of the American system due to the slavery and suppression of the African American and the indigenous Indians by the (so-called) superior European settlers who were the majority.

Today, it has taken many forms and countries like India, Africa and Malaysia in turn practice this in order to enhance the majority who has been under-represented.

The fundamental of being under-represented here means, the particular group has not had the opportunity although it has the merit, knowledge and quality to be equally represented.

The NEP, although started with the right notion, has over the years totally diverted from its own agenda for the glory of a few as one of the progenitor claims. Rather than enhancing the skills and knowledge for the under-represented, it focuses only on material gain (and a temporary one) for the very few.


Kaisim: Being a third-generation Chinese, I am pleased that Encik Khalid has the courage to talk about the negative aspects of the NEP. The idea of the NEP initiated by our founding fathers like the Tunku and Tun Dr Ismail was to help the poor bumis to move up the economic ladder.

Things have changed from bad to worst because of corruption, nepotism, cronyism and merciless swindling. Imagine a school repair job costs RM3,000 is charged for RM30,000. What a waste of public fund. I think the BN has outlived its effectiveness and usefulness. The fact that the authority allowed this to happen before their very eyes does not speak well of the government in power.

I wish that there would more people like Khalid who could rise to the occasion to champion the poor people of this country, irrespective of racial orgin. Much harm has been done to the country due to the misuse of the NEP. Look around us, our neighbours are moving forward fast, but we are moving backward with our 'tongkat'.


Ku Li Gang: I want Khalid Ibrahim as finance minister!


On Marginalisation? Yes, says Gerakan
KN: Firstly, Paranjothy must be congratulated for having the courage to tell the truth the about the discrimination and marginalisation practicised against Indian Malaysians and other non-Malays/Muslims in Malaysia.

It is an open secret that the marginalisation highlighted by Paranjothy did not happen overnight but was systematically done and executed for many years. The next question to ask: What MIC and its leaders, including Samy Vellu, were doing all these while?''

I quote from the report Mind your own business, Gerakan tells Kuan Yew, which stated inter alia the following: "According to Koh, the non-Malay component political parties within the BN coalition often spoke out in the cabinet or parliament on issues involving Chinese and Indians communities". Yes, and perhaps, they spoke, even Samy Vellu too, but based on the current systematic marginalisation and discriminaton practised against the Chinese, Indians and others, Umno is definitely not ''listening" to them.

Umno must realise that ultimately, the measure of a society's success is not how big Malaysia's buildings, stock market or GDP/GNP are, nor the success of our astronauts in outer space, but how well Umno cares for the least capable and most disadvantaged of its citizens, failing which Vision 2020 and the vision of Bangsa Malaysia will seem to be a million miles away.

As the wise sage once said: "In human relations, kindness and lies are worth a thousand truths".


On Chinese issue: LKY replies Pak Lah's letter

Anonymous: I think all Malaysians, Malays or Chinese or Indians, should ignore Mr Lee Kuan Yew's remark. Lee is a dictator and Singapore is not a democratic country. One must also understand why Singapore is arrogant, ignorant and boasting all the time. One must be able to "see" beyond what is being shown.

Who is behind Singapore? Whose money is in Singapore? Furthermore, there is no opposition party in Singapore that can be construed as opposing the Lee's dynasty and dictatorship. Remember that lone Singaporean opposition man demonstrating at the World Bank meet? Pity him!

Lee Hsien Loong will ensure the dynasty continues. How else can a tiny nation like Singapore survive? Through obedient and submission.

Meng: Let's face it. Singapore has a LKY (Lee Kuan Yew), Malaysia has a TDM (Tun Dr Mahathir). They are both birds of the same feather, raised in the same era and have a shoot-of-the-hip style. It is does us all good if we pay less attention to these pre-Merdeka warriors who refuse to retire and continue to rant with their racial undertones. We respect them and we shall give them proper honour in history. We may even build monuments for them (using their own money).

If we are to create a united Malaysia, we should look at all those marginalised in Malaysia - Indians, Malays and Chinese. There are many who live below the poverty levels and who struggle to make ends meet while there are corrupt elite political leaders making millions or billions with the stroke of the pen. Only God will be able to judge these who have systematically robbed the poor as seen in malaysiakini's report on the Auditor General's Report 2005.


On Gov't rejects civil servants' pay hike demand

KL: I'm sure the civil service will not live as comfortable as they have been before the petrol price hike. The petrol price hike is supposed to save the government RM4 billion or so, but with higher cost of living, just by reviewing civil service salary would have cost the government RM6 billion. That is not including private sector, which might amount to many more billions of ringgit.

With the rise in the price of petrol, many company are not able to pass on the cost completely to the end consumer. This has resulted in profit margins being squeezed, so how can companie increase the salary of staff? I hope Abdullah government can look at all aspects before making any major decision.


On SPECIAL DEBATE: Love vs Faith

Collin Nunis: I believe that love vs faith does not need to be argued upon as there is a questionable 'yes' just as there is a questionable 'no'. It is a matter of choice and a matter of free will. Some wouldn't mind converting out of love while some would consider religion to be a matter of importance, thus cutting the cords of what could have been an "everlasting union". It is simply what one wants - the loved one or God.

Some view religion as just another affiliation and may just view religion as a "loophole" to successfully counter unnecessary fuss from religious authorities in being with the one they love. They may or may not be very devout or adherent in their new religious affiliation but there it is, this is what they have chosen.

Personally, choosing love over religion is not something I will do simply because I am happy being where I am but it is only true, that in the debate between love and faith, love or faith will triumph depending on who it is, and what he or she chooses.