David Dass: The truth is that Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi cannot flesh out the specific things that non-Malays do which threaten his four thrusts (Bahasa Malaysia, royalty, Islam and Malay privileges).A further truth is that non-Malays do not question these four thrusts, so what is it really about?Why is there a need to create this hysteria and paranoia of non-Malay conspiracies to undermine the Malays and Islam?

We live in a democracy. We have a multiparty system. We have periodic elections. Malays, like non-Malays, will choose one party over another. Why is this a bad thing?

Let the debates over the real issues be vigorous – governance, the economy, education system, the place of the English language, separation of powers, the independence of the judiciary, strategies for the advancement of the nation, regional economic cooperation and so on.

Does it matter that Malays are divided politically? Does it matter that political parties will have to fight for the votes of all races? Does it matter for the government to recognise the fact that non-Malays are citizens as well?

RZC: There is no understanding what Zahid meant because there is no meaning to what was said. It’s all a spin and rhetoric for the ignorant.

Abasir: Deliberate imprecision has always been the prized tactic of scoundrels who seek to ensnare those they fear in a tangle of ambiguity and uncertainty.

Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim has, in his inimitable way, spotlighted this vile trick which exposes the regime for what it is.

And on the point of insulting the national language, Umno by its very initials, diminishes it with its shameless hypocrisy.

Aries46: Well said, Zaid. Your observations are spot on in rebutting the incoherent rhetoric of the home minister and timely in view of the ongoing slew of arrests under the guise of the vague and all-encompassing sedition laws.

As pointed out, Zahid’s claim to absolute sanctity for BM, royalty, Islam and Malay privileges is untenable unless the lines and parameters are clearly drawn out within the scope of the constitution.

The laws must apply both ways unlike the present where these so-called sacred institutions and rights are like no man’s land to be flouted and exploited at the whims and fancies of the ruling elites with invisible ‘catch all’ facility to clamp down on perceived opponents.

Abuses of privileges and selective unfair one-sided application of laws like now will invite criticisms, sacred or not.

For instance, the home minister was recently reported to have suggested that the non-Malays are insolent and arrogant. This is clearly offensive and seditious. What action has been taken and if not why the double standards?

Cmfoo: Is our minister talking ‘fuzzy language’ in attempt to be seen as clever and to gain some political mileage with his people but in reality, has no justification in maintaining those sedition arrests/charges against his fellow citizens, aided by his police chief?

Paul Warren: If I was to point out that the Malay language sometimes borrows without thinking from other communities and languages would that insult the language and/or the Malays?

Here I am thinking of how we use ‘memotong’ to indicate ‘overtake’. But ‘memotong’ can also mean to cut. So cut what when you see the road signage that says “Ikut kiri jika tidak memotong”? Or cut with what?

I am told that the Cantonese expression for overtaking some vehicle is ‘cut’. Presumably the Malaysian/Singaporean English got to use ‘cut’ from the Cantonese usage of it.

In Indonesia, they use the word ‘mendahului’ to refer to ‘overtake’. They will not understand ‘memotong’. So for having said this, am I committing an offence?

KayL: Zaid, very well said, and it all make sense. But didn’t you realise you had uttered something that could be seditious to the home minister? I won’t be surprised if Zahid comes running after you and makes you pay for it.

Hearty Malaysian: Zaid is spot on regarding this matter which is close to the heart of reasonable Malaysians. People now speak with fear as there are no clear rules on what is considered off-limit.

Indeed, what really constitute seditious remarks?

JustAMalaysian: Bravo! Zaid, you nailed it. I am proud to tell my fellow Malaysians that we have known each other since early 70s.

Fernz: What about deviations and distortions in the implementation of Article 153? Also, Bahasa Melayu has been replaced by Bahasa Malaysia in schools.

Putrajaya is using the judiciary to rewrite the Federal Constitution to indulge in creeping desecularisation and creeping Islamisation and/or using administrative policies to indulge in creeping desecularisation and creeping Islamisation.

The sultanates cannot be allowed to degenerate into feudal states. The Sedition Act should not be used to circumvent the Federal Constitution on the right to free speech.

Guns ‘n’ Roses: Zaid, do you seriously think Zahid has the intellectual capability and capacity to give you a coherent response? I’m waiting for it with cold sweaty palms and bated breath.

Anonymous_1397977242: I picture Mr Zaid slapping a small boy left and right to get an answer from him.

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