My Private Thoughts
Thinking Allowed

After all the brou-haha over the taking over the government, the opposition is now cutting back on their deadlines. This is such an anti-climax!!

After 3 false starts, the takeover is now a non-starter. I hope this doesn’t stop the Government from continuing the offer for the fuel rebates though. What with oil prices coming down, they might just do a change of mind and cut the rebate. I haven’t renewed my road tax and car insurance yet. Its only due in December. ARGH!!!!

The results are out.

And its a slap on the wrist as I expected. (read here)

3 years suspension is nothing for breaking down 51 years (or more) of racial harmony.

Worse still are the following statements:-

After stopping 10 busloads of his supporters on their way to the Putra World Trade Centre where the supreme council meeting was held, Ahmad said he would not retract his statements, but urged his supporters and all Malays to remain calm.

At a press conference, he said he accepted Umno supreme council’s decision to suspend him, but added he would “make a comeback.”

He accused Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon of “raising temperatures” on the issue of race relations.

Still unrepentant, still thinking he’s upholding the integrity of the race at the expense of others, still in denial, still blaming others for his own wrongdoing.

This other statement by the PM makes me mad though:-

Abdullah told a press conference after the meeting that the Cabinet at its meeting Wednesday also discussed racial relations in the country.

“The Cabinet feels that racial tension may arise if sensitive issues are raised. The Cabinet has ordered ministries with laws pertaining to this to enforce them.

“If it is necessary, the ISA may be used on those who stoke racial tension,” he added.

So, they are saying they can and may use the ISA on the likes of Raja Petra Kamaruddin but will let Ahmad get away scot free with a little flick of the wrist.

Oh and what about this:-

Abdullah also told Barisan Nasional component parties to be firm and take disciplinary action on their members, who also made statements that stoked racial sentiments.

Hmm… who else but UMNO has done this recently? Who dares questions the rights of the Malays at the risk of having the keris thrust in their guts? Ooh i quake and shiver at the thought of any brave soul who dares risk that.

I’m predicting this little slap on the wrist will not ease the tension between races but will only further drive a wedge. Now, I want to see what will the police do. Will they be like lambs and obey the shepherd, closing their file? Or will they take the matter to court?

Lets watch the drama that unfolds.

Let us recap what has happened:-

1. During the campaigning for the Permatang Pauh by-election won by Anwar, Ahmad Ismail was alleged to have said that the Chinese community were “immigrants who do not deserve equal rights” (source)
2. A furore blew up and Chinese leaders were upset and called for an apology (source)
3. Police reports were lodged (source and source)
4. PM said Ahmad did not mean it and that he will tell him not to do it again (source and source)
5. Ahmad Ismail went off the radar and could not be reached for comment even by PM (source and source)
6. Najib apologised on behalf of UMNO for the comment and said it was not the party’s stand and Nazri says there’s nothing wrong in saying sorry (source and source)
7. Ahmad Ismail gives police statement
8. Ahmad Ismail said he was misquoted by the press and asked for an apology (source)
9. Gerakan is vocal on this issue of alleged racial statements (source) and the newspapers stand by the story (source and source and source)
10. Police complete probe into alleged sedition remarks (source)
11. Ahmad calls for Gerakan to be expelled from BN (source)

I’m waiting to see what is the reaction to this latest statement. Will action be taken? Will this shake the coalition? Will this mean September 16 is becoming a reality?

As a citizen I am only worried about my safety especially after statements yesterday about supporters taking to the streets. I’m worried that no action will be taken and that culture of hooliganism will permeate, after seeing the actions of the supporters on tv tearing up posters with glee.

OMG! I just found out that Dr. Mahathir has a blog!!

Dr. Mahathir, for anyone unfamiliar with the name, is Malaysia’s 4th and former Prime Minister. He’s nudging 84 years and going strong. I don’t deny that he had wronged many but I grew up in his era and I think Malaysia was the strongest it had ever been under his rule. We weathered the currency crisis and economic crisis of 1997 and we came out the other side.

When he handed over the reins of power, we saw everything slide downhill.

I’ve always been respectful of this man. I love listening to his speeches and reading his writings. He is so educated and lucid – such a sharp contrast to the present premier.

So, I am happy that he is now blogging! Tun. Dr. Mahathir – blogging! I hope his is a personal venture, not just some ghost writer. So many politicians have set up blogs – Khir Toyo and his blog, Dr. Chua Soi Lek and his blog, but they are all just glorifying their past deeds and parroting news reports. They aren’t written as a blog, but as a compilation of press releases.  I will be keeping an eye on Che Det’s blog from now! I’m sure he has lots to say