I rested for a day, Thursday 17th, hoping not to indulge in discussions with friends concerning issues affecting the country, and I even refused to read the blogs and watch the TV. And Thursday too wasn't a pleasant day for me either, because the night before, I was informed of the demise of Dato Salleh Mat Som, the former PDRM's Director of Criminal Investigation Division, after a long illness. He was indeed a dear friend.
My wife and I attended the funeral of Dato Salleh Thursday morning at the Muslim Cemetery at Mount Kiara, and that gave me the wonderful opportunity of meeting some old police friends whom I have not met since their retirement, besides meeting the family members of the decease. I also met a number of my friends from the Armed Forces, and of all places...at the cemetery.
I recall being told by someone that there are three occasions where one get to meet old friends. First, at a wedding. Second, at a funeral, and thirdly at the IJN. And this proves to be true.
The news around the mainstream media today is still centered around Anwar and RPK. I am told by a friend who called last night to say that some countries are closely monitoring the development of the Anwar case. He feared that there will a diplomatic backlash against our country that can adversely affect us. The country is already shaken by this political and economic uncertainties, and a backlash in whatever form by other countries toward us, can be devastating.
I don't really care about what is being reported on the Anwar and RPK case now, for there is already too much written about it. But all will agree that there is a growing public sympathy for both Anwar and RPK, that should concern the government.The experience of 1998 which led to the imprisonment of Anwar is still fresh, and now what seemed a 'replay' of a similar event, may yet be the final blow for the BN government. I say this in all honesty, because this is the common view and sentiment of the ordinary people whom I talk to regularly, who are still struck by the recent oil price hike.
My advice to our leaders in government today, if I am qualified to do so, is to now concentrate your effort in stabilising the economy, improve public security, come down hard on corruption, and for goodness sake, get out of your cocoon and start talking to the people.
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4 comments:
Dear Dato',
I spent my free time reading up all I could about the current tensions being played out at Prasat Preah Vihear but cannot help wondering how our old friends and adversaries in Cambodia are handling the issue.
This is a border dispute that has its roots dating back in the 10th century, with conflicting claims from then on till today.
Years ago, I remember Sucheat spending a lot of his time managing his people deployed at the border as well as keeping in close communications with his counterpart on the Thai side; no doubt some of these skills that he has probably learnt from Dato'. I am sure he would appreciate some pointers from a dear friend during this trying times. Maybe a personal touch through Sommart could also be of assistance.
Back to the issues back home, its beginning to look like the polis, the interior ministry and the entire intelligence agencies are on nothing but a fishing expedition. If only some of this resources could be spent to check the spiraling crime rates and corruption cases... sigh.
Dear captazhar,
Help from our gays from the ministry of interior and the judiciary, to resolve the problems fronting Sucheat will be good. I think they will mess up the whole issue rather than resolve it.
Management of international borders have always been a big challenge in times of peace.Improper handling could lead nations to war.We are fortunate to have the General Border Committee mechanisms with Thailand and Indonesia where common and conflicting issues are discussed and acted upon on a regular basis.Malaysians should be proud we have a workable and successful border management mechanisms in place with our neighbours.The GBC model has not really received the due scholarly recognition it deserves in the study of peace and war. Perhaps our Malaysian Armed Forces Defence College could look into this.
Dato Arshad,
I support your advise to the people in power but Dato I think it is going to be heard by the "telinga kuali". You are talking about the ideal, money has overwhelm them to think wisely and rationally until they are buried.
Sometime I wish all of them to be dead but as a Muslim I have to wish them the best of health and may god bless them "hidayah" to change for the better.
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