Dear Editor,
THAT A hundred (or is it
300?) fully uniformed soldiers, said to be armed to the teeth, could just walk
into Sabah is unbelievable to say the least. It is as if Malaysia does not have
any national security system in place. This is also unbelievable as we know that
billions have been spent over the years to acquire modern naval craft including
submarines, besides aircraft and helicopters to patrol our shores and skies.
So how did this large group
of soldiers manage to break through the naval lines and land so coolly without
any land based security personnel checking their papers (is there no
immigration at the jetty they landed?) and go inland to set up base and raise
their flag? It looks like a drama being acted out by school children. Amazing,
really amazing.
Well, whatever lapses
happened that allowed this group to set up base in Lahad Datu, it is sending a
pre-election message to the Sabahans. The message is: “vote BN to prevent Sabah
from being taken over by the Phillipines”. Alternatively, “only the BN can resolve
such a critical matter without bloodshed as it believes in negotiated
settlements”. This could be totally unfounded, but such thoughts could be
running through many minds.
Across the South Chins Sea,
in the hall of the Putra World Trade Centre, another drama took place. The
3,000 Felda settlers who were brought to the hall were given an “amanat”
(advice) by the one-time longest serving prime minister that all those who have
taken the various “bantuan” that has been and continues to be dished out by the
BN government must not bite the hand that feeds them, in other words they must
vote for the BN. By this token, practically all voters should vote for the BN
and thus give the BN much more than a two-thirds majority – in order to
continue receiving more 'bantuan' in the years to come. So the government does
not want them to 'berdikari', ever?
Having done with the 'bantuan'
theme, they were treated to Tanda Putera, a film that was not supposed to be
screened before the 13GE due to its racial tones.
The Deputy Minister in the
Prime Minister’s Department in charge of Felda Ahmad Maslan, said the film was
screened due to its historical significance. “So, when else can I gather so
many people like this? If we wait till tomorrow it’ll already be the general election,”
the Umno information chief reportedly said. These words let the cat out of the
bag, i.e. he was admitting that it was meant to brainwash the Felda folks.
The Cabinet decided that the
film is not good for public viewing before the 13GE, but the Umno information
chief overruled the Cabinet. He felt it was very good for conditioning the
Felda settlers’ minds before the 13GE so they will vote for 'peace'.
Well, if it has historical
significance, release it for public viewing immediately. If it is good history
for the Felda settlers, it should be good history for everyone. After all it
was made with public funds, a cool RM4.8 million.
In Najib’s 1Malaysia, why
show a banned movie to a select few of a particular race and religion in the
run-up to the 13GE and not to everyone? Where is the oneness? Before elections
prior to this, during Dr Mahathir’s governance, it was a tradition to telecast
“Bukit Kepong” to the whole nation.
Best Regards,
RAVINDER SINGH
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