"Money is everything to them"

May 30, 08 8:45am(malaysiakini.com)
‘The greediness in such private companies as seen in Bandar Mahkota Cheras has been cemented and the only feeling they have is ‘What more can I grab?’

On Cheras barricade goes down again

Pak Hamzah: It seems that all the voices and grievances of the people falls onto the deaf ears of the political leaders. We always being told by them that they are the champs of the people, it is the people's government for the people and that they fight for the people. But why are they silent when citizens are humiliated and beaten? On top of this there are all the difficulties everyday living due to price hikes and rising cost of living.

Incidents like the BMC saga show how things are being manipulated by profit-first private companies. Why this had to happen? Why are the ‘people’s heroes’ silent now? Don't they have children, don't they have families? Don't they have that human feelings?

The answer is because money is everything to them. The greediness in them has been cemented and the only feeling they have is ‘What more can I grab?’ They never learnt any lesson even after they were almost defeated in the last general election. This is the culture of the Barisan Nasional - dulu, kini dan selamanya.

Today, it is happening in Cheras, tomorrow it will happen somewhere else and it will happen as long as they are in power. Let’s get together and bring them down. Put them where they deserved to be.

Cheah Kah Seng: Can Selangor state government immediately start the construction of an underground bypass to connect the surface non-tolled, roads? I'm not proposing giving up a just fight. This underground bypass can proceed at the same time that the people strive to get the barricade open. Don’t the the planning and construction of regular underpasses fall under the jurisdiction of the Selangor state government?

We have a somewhat similar, though less extreme, situation here at Penang's Sungai Nyior toll station along the Butterworth-Kulim tolled highway. Despite earlier suspension of toll, the plaza is now collecting toll fees.

I believe the best way to force the hands of the tolled road operator is to bypass that Sungai Nyior toll station by constructing several surface and underground bypasses in the soft delta soil of the Prai River. The additional roads will boost local economy, properties, and devalue the toll station. Eventually, robust local development will even benefit the toll operator.

MySecret62: The hired thugs were there to intimidate the residents by employing scare tactics and casting fear on their safety. I would humbly suggest that those with the pictures of the thugs publish and distributed them for all to see. Let’s see which hole they will crawl into once they know the rakyat is on the lookout for them. Let’s turn the tables on them and make sure that these thugs and their paymasters be brought to justice.
On Toll operator: We're not involved in BMC violence

HL Too: Of course, the toll operator (Grand Saga) had nothing to do with the attack on the residents in the Bandar Mahkota Cheras fracas . The thugs who attacked the residents are obviously people who have great love for Grand Saga and were incensed at the residents enough to attack them. Some things are just too difficult to believe or understand.
On Can Anwar be trusted?

Aaron Leow: I say, what's with the big hoo-ha over Anwar? Don't we have another candidate besides Anwar? I, for one, do not believe Malaysia is so short on leadership talent that we always fall back on the usual suspects of former DPM or former PM's sons and daughters (if Malaysians ever come to terms with gender equality that is).

I believe that Malaysia has plenty of talent around to lead the country to greater heights, talent that that will make all these predecessors and so called forerunners pale in comparison. Therefore, I think the above report is unnecessary as I believe the issue of whether Anwar can or cannot be trusted is not the problem. The real problem is where are the people who have leadership qualities but who are not willing to get their hands dirty with politics.
On Anwar apologise? For what?

The Young One: I am with the writer all the way. He has summed it up explicitly. To the critics, was it not DSAI's defiance and refusal to toe TDM's line on some policies after which utterly farcical charges were orchestrated to bring DSAI's downfall (or so TDM's ‘mafia’ anticipated)? That in itself says that DSAI was opposing BN even then, but from within.
On Malaysian embassies going 'overboard' for VIP wives?

SCM: If the Malaysian Ambassador to London has denied this, he should be sacked immediately. Everyone knows the special treatment given to our VIP wives on their lavish and regular shopping sprees. They go abroad so often that they are often sighted by Malaysian tourists. In the investigations for this matter, I strongly suggest those concerned also check on our Hishammuddin Hussein Onn wife’s frequent shopping sprees in Paris. She is known to be one of the world's biggest spenders for a particular fashion brand.

Om Prakash: It is very believable that Malaysian missions overseas are drenched in protocol and rarely care genuinely for our own citizens who require help although this has improved a little compared to before. Najib and Rais can hardly be seen to be sort of wakil rakyat who seem really care about the ordinary people. This two fellows have groomed themselves to be the image of upper-crust British political personalities. I do not think anyone can easily believe any of their statements. Just look at them explaining matters of policy. It’s all so vague, generalised and mostly clouded.
On Najib: RapidKL subsidies to be withdrawn

YG: Why withdraw the subsidy for RapidKL when the end-users really deserve it? The government should look at the toll concessionaires instead. Plus and Litrak especially. They make tonnes of money but the government continues to use taxpayers money to pay them for the ‘shortage’ on toll collection, no thanks to the lopsided concession agreements. Plus makes billions while Litrak nets almost RM100 million per year.

Even without the additional compensation, these two companies (others are probably the same) can continue to operate, pay salaries, do maintenance and pay back bank loans. The government should look into this instead of withdrawing subsidy for public transport which the low-income earners depend on. Remember, we will line up for the ballot box again in five years.
On BN gets scare in bloc-vote test

John Lee: I do not understand why the government is so upset about the need for a recorded vote in Parliament. In most legislatures, only the least controversial and divisive votes are passed by a voice vote. Most motions, especially those of vital importance, are decided by a recorded vote. A functioning democracy is one where we can hold our elected officials accountable for their actions; now we can actually know which of our MPs supported which bills. This is a positive change, not a negative one. The only people it harms are the lackadaisical MPs who can't even muster the willpower to return to the chamber to vote. Calling for a voice vote is not a disruptive or disturbing tactic; it is one which holds our MPs accountable. It ensures democracy is actually practiced in cases where the outcome of a voice vote can be legitimately disputed, as was demonstrated. The government should be upholding this as a sign of progress in our democracy. The only people disrupting the democratic process are those who suggest that recorded votes like the one yesterday are disruptive.

On a slightly unrelated note, I do wonder about the choice of the term ‘bloc voting’ or ‘block voting’ to describe the process. The appropriate term in the Westminster system to describe a recorded vote is a ‘division’; this is the first time I have heard anyone use the term ‘bloc voting’ to describe the taking of a recorded vote in a Commonwealth legislature. ‘Bloc voting’ has a very specific meaning in political science, referring to a voting system such as ‘first-past-the-post’, not to a recorded vote. It would be better if MPs and news outlets avoided confusion in this matter. Regardless, I hope that divisions or ‘bloc’ votes or whatever you call them become more common in our Parliament and state legislatures. They are a hallmark of a progressive democracy.
On Politicians squabble as country goes down the drain

Dr Jeff Balan: Thousands of Malaysians living abroad and they all want to come back. Imagine thousands of professionals, doctors, scientists etc who can help rebuild our beloved country. The reason why they left in the first place was because of the system that was in place for the last fifty years.

Malaysia under Anwar must get rid of this system. It must become a system of fair competition and a system that will give just rewards to all those who truthfully work for it. No handouts, no special privileges. After all, everyone has the same opportunity but if one gets an edge over the other then fair competition will be thrown out the window creating a nation which lives on corruption and charity.

Let us follow Anwar and let Anwar lead us into this New World. If Anwar fails us then we will find another great leader who will say Malaysia first, Nation first and Self-interest last.
Chee Hoong Lai: I am a Malaysian living in the Netherlands for the past 15 years. I would like to share a personal experience which leads me to conclude why Malaysia will never be a unified nation - in the true sense of the word - unless there is a radical turnaround in the national psyche that will see all Malaysians being treated as equals.

When my daughter was two months old, I took her to the Malaysian embassy to apply for a new passport. In the application form, I was required to fill in her race as either Malay, Chinese, Indian or Others but there was no ‘Malaysian’ among the choices. I was also required to declare her religious faith (for a two-month-old baby!).

In spite of 50 years of independence, we continue to define ourselves by her racial origin and religious affiliations. The point I am trying to make is that ‘Bangsa Malaysia’ is a very nice catchphrase but based on the prevailing political climate, I don't expect to see this happen in my lifetime. The racial and religious divisions are too deeply ingrained in our societal values, in our thinking and in our school system plus we have always been brought up not to discuss ‘sensitive’ issues in case we might offend someone. We need a new generation of Malaysians to bring about the change that this country deserves.
On Why can't we use the word 'Allah'?

Jesse James: I am a Malaysian ho has been living in the Middle East for the past four years. The Catholic Church in the Middle East conducts services in all languages including Arabic. I have attended a service in Arabic and they use the term ‘Allah’. Moreover my daughter studies at the international school and it is compulsory for them to learn Arabic. They are taught that ‘Allah’ is God in Arabic.

Another example is the word ustaz. It is an Arabic word for ‘teacher’ in general and not only for Muslim teachers as in Malaysia. Our Arabic friends are surprised that there is a big controversy in Malaysia over use of the word ‘Allah’. They tell us that it is their language so why are we in Malaysia arguing over the usage of it.