An anonymous commentor asked the following directly, so just as is done in DSAI’s blog often enough, I thought I would respond directly :)
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Nat, I know this is totally off-topic, but I want to get some of your views in light of the upcoming elections : )
Please note that I am in no way criticising or casting aspersions, but merely looking for clarity on these points.
1. I have heard that DSAI made millions and millions of dollars during the time he was finance minister. I have even heard of people who say that they are holding his money in Singapore for him. What guarantee is there that DSAI is not trying to get back into power only to make more money?
Maybe if DSAI really did make millions, my gaji would be higher :)
Once again, I invite you to ask anyone from that generation, even (or especially) Umno members. DSAI had a reputation even then for integrity, one that set him apart (and landed him in jail).
I’ve also seen the way his financial co-dependents spend money carefully and conservatively, not in the luxurious manner of the filthy rich.
If DSAI had that kind of money, KeADILan probably wouldn’t be as under-resourced as it was.
And trust me, no one is in opposition politics for money. If DSAI wanted money and power for power’s sake, he would’ve rejoined Umno (and probably welcomed with open arms). Look how ripe it is with opportunities!
There’s no credible, charismatic leadership at all, power vacuums abound… ripe!
But as Dumbledore said, there comes a time when we must choose between what is easy, and what is right.
2. What is PKR’s relationship with PAS at the moment? Is there a coalition, an understanding, or nothing at all?
Technically, it is a coalition – Barisan Alternatif.
I’ve written extensively here and there about how people who take the time to look closely at Pas with an open mind find that instead of mainstream media demonised fanatics, the party is comprised largely of sincere, moderate and reasonable people with a strong dedication to justice and integrity.
3. I heard from a lawyer friend that at the bar council’s walk for justice at putrajaya, many keadilan members were trying to hijack the event by carrying banners that did not reflect the true reason for the walk, and photos were deliberately taken with the hundreds of lawyers in the background so as to make it look like the lawyers supported their cause. I feel that the walk would have had much more meaning had it not been turned into a joke by these keadilan and dap members. they gave the government grounds to criticise the bar council. this has really lowered my perception of the opposition. what are your views on this?
People always say the opposition is trying to hijack this and that. Was there anyone at that walk who took pictures of themselves without hundreds of lawyers in the background? :)
I think we must think about things carefully and openly. If the opposition supports justice and lawyers support justice, do we not all support the same cause? Being apolitical does not mean having to disagree with everything in politics, no?
I appreciate your concern and candidness very much , but before making such judgements, perhaps it would be only fair to those accused to perhaps produce photographs of people who were turning the walk ‘into a joke’ so that they can be deliberated?
If the opposition had been 100% absent from the walk, would Nazri really have restrained himself from criticising the walk?
What about lawyers who support both the bar council and the opposition? Is it fair to them to ask them not to walk?
I know politics gets a bad name. But a) as far as possible, I think one should be personally acquainted with any group of people they wish to vilify before writing them off and b) politics is what we make of it.
4. What is keadilan’s view on the NEP.
Your question is a stark reminder to people like me that we are not working hard enough to get our message across.. :P :)
KeADILan is firmly committed to replacing the NEP with an economic that benefits ALL the poor, without regard to race. We call it the Malaysian Economic Agenda (also see: A New Deal for Malaysians).
We are taking a lot of political risks by pushing this agenda, but we really do believe that there is no place for corruption-prone race-based approaches and that the only way Malaysia can move forward is if we dedicate ourselves to helping poor Malaysians of every race enjoy the benefits of development.
That is all I can think of at the moment, although there are a lot more issues bugging me.
I would really appreciate it if you could take the time to reply to this.
Thanks.
Thank YOU :) It means the world to us that you’re willing to look for answers (and we hope you’ll continue to look beyond the mainstream media to find them :) . I hope it’s part of an ongoing dialogue, and thank you again for caring about Malaysia :)
off topic: If you read Helan Ang’s “Hindraf Post MorteM” you’ll realise that both the author and a certain lawyer are both bloody f*** heads!
Quote from Ang’s piece:
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When we spoke on the eve of the rally, Haris voiced his concern that violence may be deliberately engineered. He was wary of what the powers-that-be were capable of resorting to. I remember feeling a stab of fear on hearing him. Usually Umno and its goons evoking May 13 would piss me off no end but this time I had genuine apprehensions.
The security forces are all of one race. It worried me how our police and FRU would quell the crowds all of another race, or close one eye to provocateurs and agitators. I was indeed afraid there would be Indian blood spilled on the streets.
It’s for this reason that Haris declared the walk must not proceed. It is certainly not because he’s a Malay chauvinist, a presumption that could have arisen because most of the Malay commentators had condemned Hindraf. The movement’s non-inclusive approach was polarising and its language had alienated the racial majority.
**************
So what? Does it mean that I know some group is going to disrupt my fundamental right to march for civil liberties, I bend over? What the f**k?
Does Ang and the lawyer think that Betty Williams does not deserve the Nobel Peace Prize?
ps. Awaiting your response
From: Penembak Curi
Personally I think Anwar Ibrahim is a relatively “clean” politician
during his tenure as Minister and Deputy PM, otherwise it would
have been easier to charge and convict him for corruption rather than some dubious charges which required Musa and gang to carry the
king-size mattress in and out of the court.
Dear Nat,
Thank you for replying to my queries. The reason I asked was because I am still wondering whether or not I should actually turn up to vote at the upcoming elections.
1. In relation to DSAI’s cash, I am still not utterly convinced that at the time he was DPM he was totally clean. However, I believe that getting locked up and put away by the system may have changed him and that is why he is now fighting against the government.
But allow me to ask you one question… if you had RM20m in cash, would you keep it aside for a rainy day/old age, or would you blow it on a lost yet noble cause?
2. I am glad you replied as you did in relation to PAS. I too believe that PAS is made up of totally clean and straight members, and are depicted as extremists, just as the media did to HINDRAF.
3. Now in relation to the Walk for Justice, it was totally hijacked by KeADILan and DAP, so much so that the Bar president had to issue a statement saying that the Bar does not in any way support their views. I was also told that the ex-president was overheard saying that he can’t get rid of them because they will accuse the Bar of not practising freedom of speech.
However, it was a blatant hijacking of the event. What was being asked for was the setting up of a royal commission, and nothing else. The banners that were held up by the opposition read “SACK CHIEF JUSTICE IMMEDIATELY” and “THE JUDICIARY HAS GONE TO THE DOGS”, and it was made to look to the outside world that the Bar endorsed this view, which in turn makes the Bar look stupid because they are marching for JUSTICE, and at the same time summarily convicting the Chief Justice. See the contradiction?
The photo you requested : http://www.asianews.it/files/img/MALAYSIA_WalkJustice_26-9-07.jpg
The page on which the photo is located :
http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=10574&geo=34&size=A
Now you tell me, how stupid does this make the lawyers look, and how good does it make the government look? This brings me to the reason I asked you this question : If the opposition is going to do such brainless acts, what is the point of voting for them? They are in essence GIVING votes to Barisan by doing things like this.
Can you honestly tell me that you don’t feel like slapping the doraemon dude?
4. I actually read your blog quite often but I was not aware of the Malaysian Economic Agenda. Perhaps this should be taking a position of prominence now in light of the HINDRAF movement.
The most obvious repercussion here will be how the bumiputeras react. How does KeADILan plan to prevent a bad reaction?
Also, are your other Barisan Alternatif counterparts on the same wavelength as you on this point?
Once again, thank you for taking the time to respond. I really appreciate the effort you are putting in although it is only my 1 little vote.
Thanks.
the problem is simplified here. ouf of ten people i speak to, 3 is for the opposition, 4 is for BN and 3 cannot be bothered.
if only those 3 cannot be bothered persons would just wake up and understand that those 3 supporting the oppositions would need their support, instead of saying, aiyah, nothing else can be done lah or what for vote la, always the same, BN will win again, or you put a monkey or lembu under dacing that monkey/lembu will still win… sigh.
lets work hard to get those 3 persons yah bro? continue informing others although your viewers maybe mostly opposition supporters but hopefully, many others like me forward what you write to our friends and they to theirs.
you’ll never walk alone.
Anonymous,
Let me try to reason. If one has millions, it’s unlikely he would want to come out to fight a uphill task, which is opposition politics. If he does come out, don’t you think he would channel all his financial resources for his possibly last-straw effort? And that is not what PKR as I know it is today.
You may still have questions unanswered on the opposition parties. But may I suggest you to look at one well established truth: 50 years after independence under continuous rule of BN, corruption has reached the unimaginable level; arrogance and indifference in the ruling elite has clearly shown; being clueless on how to move Malaysia forward in this highly competitive globalised economy; crime rate and racial polarisation have reached alarming level; erosion of rakyat’s fundamental rights and our Constitution; absence of governance in the public sector (how many “so what?” have you heard as answer from officials now?) … you name it.
One principle always holds: power corrupts, let alone absolute power for 50 years! I am not a PKR member, although I start to learn and admire it. But my reasoning is simple: just vote non-BN. BN may not be a hopeless coliation in the future, but it needs to be sent a signal that people are sick and tired of their incompetence and their focus on divide-and-rule tactics.
I don’t think you should not judge the opposition by just looking at the scene on the Walk for Justice. What about those UMNO MPs who spoke utter nonsense in the holy place of Parliament? What about the many ministers who continue to stay silence in the face of question of scandals (PKFZ,…?) Nor should the Bar Council and the lawyers be compelled to think that their action be judged by those posters too.
I am sure you have very good reasons to communicate anonymously here. But allow me to say that the very fact that you have to do so is itself a reflection of how Malaysia has become: people can’t even speak freely among themselves?! After 50 years of independence? Is that independence?
Pratamad,
First, I comment anonymously because I am too lazy to think of an interesting nickname, such as “Pratamad”, which I wish I had thought of first.
And on the contrary, I think that if DSAI was to come out now and blow money on his political party, it will only serve as evidence of his previous corruption, if any.
If anything, I would prefer to keep the money safe and sound, and see if I can make some more without having to spend too much of my savings, no?
Yes, 50 years of BN rule has been terrible, but it can get worse, much worse, and as such your reasoning does not make sense to me. How can you assume that just because BN is really bad, the opposition coming to power won’t be worse?
I am not judging the entire opposition by the behaviour of the members at the Walk for Justice, and that is why I am also asking other questions in relation to PKR. But, what took place did utterly disgust me, and does play on my mind whenever I think of voting for the opposition.
And yes, the behaviour of the BN ministers and MPs is much much worse than what the opposition members did at the Walk. However, if you are telling me to look at their behaviour comparatively in relation to the behaviour of the BN members, then once again I must say that your reasoning is flawed.
That is why, as I mentioned in the 2nd line of my above comment on this post, I am not asking these questions to determine whether I should vote for BN or the opposition, but instead I am asking to determine whether I should vote for the opposition or not vote at all.
I don’t think the issue is whether the bar council members think that they are being judged by the posters. The issue is what people who are misinformed or who lack information think when they see things like this, and how in turn this lends credibility and weight to the crap that is spoken by certain people in the mainstream media. The last thing you want to do is to deliberately do something to make what the BN ministers/MPs say more credible.
anoymous: just to quickly response on the opposition ‘hijacking’ the lawyers march. the malaysian bar president had to issue a statement disassociating themselves from ‘other’ parties because nazri went public to say “don’t act like opposition and hit the streets”.
one thing i know about the bar and it’s august members, they stand by freedom of speech … just cos they let opposition banners stand, doesn’t mean they endorse it. and just cos the ex-president said what he said, it might not be what other lawyers are thinking.
just because you think the way you do, doesn’t mean you’re not worth convincing :) for people like you, i believe kindred souls like nat would try his darnedest best to answer your questions.
p/s: if hijacking is how you view the opposition, what are your views about heart patient lee hui yi being photographed with 20 over MCA members in her ward? plus approx 5 photographers (and their gear) who had to undergo sterilisation procedures accompanying those politicians?
polytikus,
You are right. Nazri did use the opposition’s actions against the Bar in the media. The opposition, should have realised that they are the opposition TO the government, and just allow the march to continue with the impact it would have had, had they not been there, or even if they had been there but not made statements totally and absolutely contrary to the spirit of the march in the first place. Are you and Nat going to keep on insisting that what they did was not wrong, instead of admitting that a FEW oppostion members present that day did cause the walk to lose SOME credibility?
And yes, just because the banners stood, it doesn’t mean the members of the bar endorsed it. However the point that I have been making over and over again is that it was made to look to the uninformed as if the members of the bar endorsed it. Why can’t anybody understand this?
Once again, pertaining to the MCA members in the hospital, like I told Mr. Pratamad above, I have never said they are right. I am in no way an MCA fan, although I have a new found respect for CSL not for the fact that he took responsibility, but instead for how he managed to look so innocent all the while.
Anyway, like I told Pratamad, and once again I fail to understand why something as simple as this can be so difficult to comprehend (but I will give you the benefit of the doubt as I understand that you are some sort of top scorer in your law papers??), I am in NO WAY an MCA fan. I am asking Nat these questions to determine whether or not I should take the trouble to vote this year. I didn’t vote during the last elections. I was considering not voting again this time, but due to certain events, I have been forced to reconsider.
My point is, and to put it very bluntly, just because A is a big idiot, that doesn’t mean I should vote for the slightly smaller idiot, B. I just won’t vote. I am not in the business of choosing the lesser of the 2 evils. I’d rather use my 1 miserable vote on something or someone who I actually have faith in.
So please stop giving me examples of how MCA is worse than the opposition (this is for you Pratamad and polytikus) because that does not matter to me. If you were expecting me to come here and talk about how MCA hijacked those events, I can’t because although I am utterly disgusted by what they did and continue to do, I don’t see how we will be learning and progressing. Instead, we will be like uncles in the coffeeshops and aunties at the market gossiping. In other words, it will take us nowhere.
It would also be pointless to ask Nat to comment on MCA’s actions and how he would defend them considering he is an opposition member, no?
Dear Nat,
Anonymous said:
1. In relation to DSAI’s cash, I am still not utterly convinced that he was totally clean when he was DPM. However, I believe that getting locked up and put away by the system may have changed him and that is why he is now fighting against the government.
I agree with Anonymous. Although I am not totally convinced that DSAI was clean last time, I might just give him a chance considering he’s been through the system and has probably changed for the better.
By your answer, Nat, I summarise that you are asking us to take your word for it (that the opposition are not in it for the money). I really mean no insult to you (honest to god), but that is not good enough. Your reasoning is that DSAI could have joined UMNO. This is just an assumption, and is not backed by facts, but by another assumption (that he would be welcomed there).
I really think the question should not be “Was he clean or not before?”. Instead I think it should be “Will he be clean now?”. This is a trust issue that PKR needs to address. This question, though simple to many, it is the question that we badly need answers to.
The answer to this question, should NOT be “Oh, but look what a mess UMNO is now” (read Pratamad: What about those UMNO MPs who spoke utter nonsense in the holy place of Parliament? What about the many ministers who continue to stay silence in the face of question of scandals). This is not a good answer. This is not a direct answer.
The answer to this question SHOULD be:
“I have been in the system on both sides and I know the people’s suffering. I know what it feels like to be ignored and lied to. I know what it feels like to be arrested for trumped up charges and how it feel to be ISAed. ”
“On the other hand, I know how deal brokering is done in the gov and how some corruption cases are covered up. I know the identities of some corrupt officials and I intend to make them accountable. Those in the government who are corrupt, should be afraid of me because I know the ropes. The rest, have no reason to be afraid of me. ”
“My track record as finance minister never took the country to this low level. If you are afraid of me, you have something to hide. The people must make a choice: Be afraid of me and live with the corruption, OR Embrace me, and together we can work towards a better Malaysia.”
Or something like that.
Well, i hope i’m not confusing you guys. But to put it simply, I feel that bad mouthing BN/UMNO is not a good answer. We all know how f#$%ed up they are. The question was not directed at BN, and was not regarding BN at all. But it’s regarding PKR.
I really think the iron is hot for PKR now. People are giving you a shot/chance. Me included. But uncertainties really need to be put to rest.
Next issue is regarding PKR’s relationship with PAS.
I’ve written extensively here and there about how people who take the time to look closely at Pas with an open mind find that instead of mainstream media demonised fanatics, the party is comprised largely of sincere, moderate and reasonable people with a strong dedication to justice and integrity.
Nat, like Anonymous, I am not asking these questions (or giving my opinion) to discredit anyone. I definitely won’t go for BN, but I just need verification and explanations. I need to know how is PKR and PAS working together?
Firstly, although I feel that PAS has more integrity and straight members than BN, but sometimes I’m not sure about their stand on things. I’m not sure whether they are being genuine or not. Why? Because despite the good stuff, I read articles (not on evil mainstream media) on their Harakah which shows that they have not changed. (Read: http://www.harakahdaily.net/bm/index.php/arkib-liputan-khas/santa-claus-melayu-petronas-dan-white-house.html
and latest http://www.harakahdaily.net/bm/index.php/arkib-kenyataan-rasmi/kerajaan-perlu-kaji-semula-kongsi-raya.html)
How does PAS feel about these articles? I feel that they are shooting themselves in the foot. Not only are they alienating the muslims towards the other races, but they are also creating bad PR for themselves.
Now that you say that PKR is technically part of a coalition with PAS, do you agree with the contents of those articles? How does PKR stand on this? Being a multiracial party, how does this jive into PKR’s objectives?
I feel confused because I see that PKR is working together with PAS on many things, this is excellent in my books. But I wonder how is PKR in a coalition with PAS, considering their differing standpoints? I know that some people might tell me that I should look at the bigger picture etc. But to me, this thing matters a great deal because (I’m assuming) between PAS and PKR, PAS would have the upper hand.
If PAS deems that certain things are not ok for the muslims (like wearing santa hats) many employers would not favor the muslims to be hired in retail/events etc. and who knows what next. Because PAS has the upperhand, how would PKR react? And now there’s this thing with the Kongsi Raya. (sigh)
I seems to me that PAS is also doing what BN/UMNO are doing. Divide and Rule. Except it’s a different approach. The muslims are being separated from their buddhist, christian, hindu etc brothers and sisters. Maybe they do not realise this, but I have to put it to you because I feel it is not too late to change things.
We are multi racial, multi cultural and multi religious. Divide and conquer is not smart. I love my chinese and indian friends.
I follow your blog not religiously, but regularly. I know it may be tedious and tiring to constantly tell people what you and PKR stand for and what the picture is etc. But it is a necessity to get your message across. I see that you are tireless in answering people’s questions. Keep up the good work.
Heh.
Polytikus, remember me? It looks like the opposition’s opposition are starting to make their voices known. We don’t want the lesser of two evils, we want the best.
Glad to read some intelligent discussion here instead of rants and cursing. Nat answered questions to which I I too had been wondering about.
As for me, I have no faith in DSAI’s integrity as a leader. I believe that he was corrupt in the past because he could not have risen to DPM and UMNO VP level without actively supporting and knowingly condoning corruption by his UMNO peers.
I cannot believe that he has decided to change sides and fight for so-called “keadilan” for the people just because he was ISA-ed. Has he owned up to his corruption when he was still in power? No. Has he provided evidence of the corruption of UMNO people so that they may be charged? No. How do we know that if he makes it into Parliament, that he will have the moral courage to do what he has never done?
There’s no way I am going to vote for PKR in the upcoming elections.
anonymous:
i did do well in my law papers! how did do you know and why does any of it matter? lol.
i’m not programmed to convince you to vote, neither am i some opposition groupie. what i believe is that your choice is yours alone and i respect that. and if you need a little help along the way, many of us would offer assistance. no need to be defensive or flustered if the answers are not the kind you wanna hear. some of us may not understand you in a jiffy (and vice versa) but i’m sure given time, we’ll reach a common ground.
Please hire klconfidential as a speech writer. She has articulated a message that DSAI should be espousing by now but sadly, not heard or seen anywhere.
To anonymous, the electoral system practiced in Malaysia makes it difficult to really express your opinion on who/ what should get your vote. For instance, if the candidates in your constituency are both weak, which do you choose ?
Perhaps the US system might be better. You can vote for the elected representatives as well as President or Governor of your state (and they don’t have to be in the same party !!!)
Bobby Jindal is an Indian American of South Asian ethnicity, who, at 36 yrs, is the youngest Governor of a state in the USA. He is Republican in a majority Democrat state assembly.
I think it allows for more people power and provides better checks and balances than what we have at the moment. All I can say is that the politicians in the early days of Malaya/ Malaysia are have, by far, more integrity, intelligence and intellect than most of the current lot. Then, it was country first, race and religion secondary and personal gain …. minimal.
laksarian! how goes it mate? :) the opposition too needs its check and balances, that i agree :)
sigh we all want the best. just that i’ve seen too many people pointing fingers that the opposition should be so and so without offering viable solutions or have an earnest discussion without getting personal and stuff. i’ve retired from convincing people to vote opposition. the people get the government they deserve for their lack of proactivity. for me, the buck stops here and i will most certainly play my part.
again, more to say but i prefer not to do it in blogs any more. i’m upping the ante to face to face meetings. adilsembang anybody? :) anoymous? jom :)
Finally!
klconfidential, you get me, man. And I think you raise some other valid points that hopefully Nat can clarify, in relation to the extent of the coalition with PAS.
polytikus, I don’t feel I was getting defensive. In fact, I feel that I was getting offensive due to being annoyed. Take a look at the chronology of statements below and tell me whether it feels like Mr. Anonymous is talking to a wall:
Anonymous : The reason I asked was because I am still wondering whether or not I should actually turn up to vote at the upcoming elections.
Pratamad : What about those UMNO MPs who spoke utter nonsense in the holy place of Parliament? What about the many ministers who continue to stay silence in the face of question of scandals (PKFZ,…?)
Anonymous : And yes, the behaviour of the BN ministers and MPs is much much worse than what the opposition members did at the Walk. However, if you are telling me to look at their behaviour comparatively in relation to the behaviour of the BN members, then once again I must say that your reasoning is flawed.
Anonymous : That is why, as I mentioned in the 2nd line of my above comment on this post, I am not asking these questions to determine whether I should vote for BN or the opposition, but instead I am asking to determine whether I should vote for the opposition or not vote at all.
Polytikus : if hijacking is how you view the opposition, what are your views about heart patient lee hui yi being photographed with 20 over MCA members in her ward? plus approx 5 photographers (and their gear) who had to undergo sterilisation procedures accompanying those politicians?
Anonymous : Once again, pertaining to the MCA members in the hospital, like I told Mr. Pratamad above, I have never said they are right. I am in no way an MCA fan
Anonymous : I am asking Nat these questions to determine whether or not I should take the trouble to vote this year. I didn’t vote during the last elections
Anonymous : My point is, and to put it very bluntly, just because A is a big idiot, that doesn’t mean I should vote for the slightly smaller idiot, B. I just won’t vote.
So, as clearly exhibited above, there is no reason for me to get defensive. On the contrary, I feel that you, Nat and Pratamad are getting defensive by giving irrelevant examples about the ruling party. It is so much better to just say you(r party is/) are wrong than to say “Eh but you know ah… he is worse okay!”. Just ask CSL. He will tell you. I just didn’t use the “don’t get defensive” line because it is so cliche to use it in an argument. Instead of directing the other party on how to behave i.e “Don’t get defensive”, “Get shy”, “Be sexy”, etc., I rather argue on the relevant facts.
Now, now, I hope I am not coming across as rude, but I am just trying to get my point across. You and your boy are really nice people and I would not want to offend you two. Continue fighting the good (though could do with some slight tweaking) cause.
lol.
polytikus,
Don’t you feel that by stating your stand over the internet the message gets sent out to more people rather than having a 1 on 1 in a coffee shop where chances are only “believers” attend and as such there is no one left to “convert”?
I would have thought that this would be a useful platform for you (actually not you, but Nat, who seems to have disappeared) to clarify certain points.
However your (AND your boyfriend’s) inability to do so is quite telling.
Since NONE of the points made in my last post have been responded to, can I assume that you and/or Nat don’t have an adequate response?
nat: dood, chill-la, this isn’t the only thing on our to-do list you know. if you are sincere about engaging in dialogue, be patient, and it will happen. it may not last forever, but it will happen. in the meantime, no need to take potshots at my loved ones.
nat: sorry to add a PS to your remark about New Economic Agenda not being promoted well and sufficeintly — The PKT Information Bureau neeed to buck up. I spent close to two-three blardy months trying to help the Information machinery spread the NEA or the NEW DEAL … but lack of honest commitment on some PKR officials just let my efforts go toashes and dust.
I’ve stopped being motivated to AdilSembang but believe maybe just stick to Blogging/writing because the same phenomenon I encountered in the BN is beginning to bud and blossom within Opposition ranks, so the Q is Opposition — Quo Vadis? — Desi
Dear dood,
All of my responses here take a maximum of 5 minutes to type. If you can’t even give a simple response to my questions then I guess it is reasonable to doubt your ability to answer them.
And, please stop trying to be Mr. Machoman.
“However your (AND your boyfriend’s) inability to do so is quite telling.
Since NONE of the points made in my last post have been responded to, can I assume that you and/or Nat don’t have an adequate response?”
This is not a potshot. If i said something like this :
“Are you stupid? Why can’t you understand a simple concept? You call yourself a reporter? No wonder you can’t get into a proper newspaper.”
Now THAT is a potshot. Okay?
This is a waste of time. Maybe I will go find another opposition member’s brain to pick.
One who isn’t so busy being macho.
ylchong,
they are too busy to promote the New Ecomonic Agenda. That isn’t the only thing on their to-do list okay? Please don’t take potshots at his beloved leaders.
anonymous, i find the way your ‘engage’ people borders on making personal statements to fish for a response. i have a tendency to not lower myself to such a level because once it gets personal, we lose objectivity.
talking to you IS like talking to a wall, i’m afraid. no offence. the p/s i wrote was an actual question, not a comparison btwn MCA and opposition. sorry it sounded otherwise. i wasn’t sure where you stand because i have little to no background about you to work with.
so nat tried to answer your questions but you were not impressed. his silence was because of his busy weekend, not because he’s afraid of engaging you. he’s the kind that does his research and consults people to give you the best answer – that’s how he works. he doesn’t just spend 5 minutes to answer your question, he does it meticulously with breadth and depth to give you the best answer possible. i’m sorry this does not appear apparent, you seem to have a habit of assuming to worst from people.
back to the walk for justice – since that is the original point of contention before the issue concerning my performance in my law papers arised and distracted me – i don’t think it was hijacked. so we disagree. and you want to stress your point further. fine. i still disagree because free speech practiced by the bar council means anybody can take part in it. but just because i am not responding further doesn’t make me incompetent in answering you at all. again, you were swift to make a judgment upon me. i choose not to answer because i’m not here to change your mind, i respect your views and i don’t see that as a problem.
sigh.
and what’s wrong with coffeeshop talk? we’re engaging you, not other people. we don’t mind spending time on one person. should laksarian or adriene or whoever wants to join in, then go ahead. why does this idea repel you? this is a useful platform … but is it an effective one with the elusive anonymous? i’m willing to offer time to meet but just because you’re not in favour for it for your own personal reasons, doesn’t mean you have to tell me how pointless it is.
i’m not even sure how much you will ‘appreciate’ this reply because right now i’m still on MC as i’ve been since wednesday. i spend the rest of my time in bed nursing a fever a really bad cough. stress is the last thing i need. i’ve just spend a good 15 minutes here but i’ll never say it’s a waste of my time.
please don’t be quick to assume things. there’s still plenty of time before GE for you to make up your mind and plenty of people to speak to. i didn’t know our opinions would be taken in such high regard. i am after all, a journalist that other newspapers didn’t want :)
thanks mate.
Dear Anonymous,
Relax. I understand where Nat is coming from. And I totally get you, man. We are all on the same side here. Let’s not lose focus. The main objective should be getting good, well thought out answers. I am sure Nat is working on it. We are all patiently waiting.
Nat has many people to please and other comments to respond to, and that is not including his other main core duties. I think we all understand where you (anonymous) are coming from and we also understand how frustrating it can be. I’m not making excuses for anyone but I feel we should not be fighting amongst ourselves.
We all have the same objectives and want the same thing.
I would like to apologise on behalf of anyone who may have offended anyone on this page. I know that it was not anyone’s intention to hurt any feelings or to come across as rude. Just sometimes things are better said than written.
We just have different approaches to things.
Let’s wait for Nat’s answer. If it’s not satisfactory to some (me included) let’s ask for clarification or seek more information. Let’s not judge too soon.
Over to you, Nat.
nat: thanks a mil for your patience, it really means a lot! i really do want to address the points, just time… timeeeee!!! :P :) asap!
Dear Anonymous
I find your comments reasonable but you must realize, we live in an imperfect world with many imperfections. Your ideals for a “perfect” politician is as far and inaccessible a the sun/moon/etc. I am sure there isn’t any.
But for that matter, your refusal to “vote” is rather disheartening. With this kind of attitude, we are doomed from the start. It is your sole given right to make a CHOICE.
I respect your CHOICE, as you will live with it for another term or so, same as I have a duty to make my CHOICE. The power is in your hands. If you are looking for a change, then make that change if not then just live like you are now. If you are not convince, you are not convinced and thats the end of it. I can’t make you change. No one can. Its all up to you. Make up your own mind.