PMO blames IGP for PM’s no-show

 Aries46: The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) must take the people to be bigger idiots than them to come out with this cock-and-bull story over the ‘no show’ of its boss at the 1MDB tell-all forum last Friday.

Going by the inspector-general of police’s (IGP) last-minute tweet that many perceive more as a cover-up than anything, the only conceivable threat to PM Najib Razak at the venue that one could fathom was the presence of his mentor and critic Dr Mahathir Mohamad at the forum.

But even this was proven unfounded when Mahathir declared that Najib had no cause to fear him and he was not carrying any weapon.

And the IGP’s perceived security concerns became all the more clearer when his men were on hand to switch off the mike to prevent Mahathir from addressing the people.

It is precisely these failings why people are skeptical and consider Najib’s FAQ (frequently-asked questions) initiatives nothing more than an exercise in futility.

In particular, his failure to address matters of national concerns such as 1MDB and Goods and Services Tax (GST) that have triggered a far reaching adverse effect on the daily life of the average Malaysian.

Kingfisher: Indeed, the PMO, in the minds of many, would be held in some manner of disfavour as its initiative would be thought of as a default to commitment.

The IGP may have acted in his urgent rationale for maintaining order but many ordinary citizens would tend to think his decision rather drastic and unreasonable, considering the generally civil nature of Malaysians to such open discussions and debate. Especially when it involves senior statesmen like a former PM and the sitting PM himself.

Unfortunately for the PM, he will be viewed in poor light as well for having been absent at a very important public forum where his concerns were, and still are, central to the credibility of his leadership.

Anonymous #20513663: For everybody’s information, this is a classic tactic used by dictatorial regimes to bar dissenters from important meetings.

For example, you can read in ‘Thieves of State’ that Afghan civil society leaders were prevented from meeting visiting United States officials with the excuse of ‘security’.

I’m guessing that when US President Barack Obama visited, his representatives were told that he should not meet opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, Bar Council leader Andrew Khoo, social activist Ahmad Farouk Musa, etc, because all these people are ‘terrorists’ and present a ‘security risk’.

‘Security’ can be used to ‘cover’ many things. And perhaps many sins also. It is very amusing to see this tactic now being used against a dictatorial former PM. Yes, the irony of it.

Anyway, Malaysians cannot depend on Mahathir to speak up for us. As Malaysiakini columnist Mariam Mokhtar said, we need to speak up for ourselves.

Odin Tajué: Yes, yes, yes, we all believe you fellows in the PMO. Your department is well known as a fount of truth, a disseminator of honest-to-goodness facts, nothing more nothing less.

The ‘untruth’ is that Najib was frightened out of his wits, shivering uncontrollably with fear, and wetting his trousers on hearing Mahathir was there. He managed to regain control of his faculties just long enough to shout for help from the IGP.

CQ Muar: Najib, since when have you become so obedient and fearful of the IGP or the police, who are known to serve only you and your ministers?

Such fear from a Bugis descendant, who is the Malaysian prime minister, is unprecedented. I thought Bugis warriors are invincible and unafraid of everything.

If I were you, as prime minister, demand IGP Khalid Abu Bakar to be sacked with immediate effect for shaming you and your Bugis ancestry.

FairMind: The event was supposed to have kicked off at 10am, but Khalid tweeted at about 8.53am that the event was cancelled due to security reasons.

So our IGP is not only a forensic expert, learned judge and expert in law on national security and sedition, but also has a crystal ball.

Gggg: PMO, the Sabah earthquake would have been a better excuse.

Cantabrigian: Mahathir versus Najib. Najib challenged Mahathir to come and fight in Najib’s home turf. Mahathir accepted it and arrived first. Najib is nowhere to be seen.

Najib’s security guards asked Mahathir to leave the ring, despite being invited. Round 1 – Mahathir won.

Basically: This is comical. PWTC hosts Umno events all the time where PM attends, but they cannot provide security this one time?

As a PM who has nothing to hide, he could have invited the NGOs to come to his house to continue the forum. Or hold it again tomorrow. Game enough?

Onyourtoes: I think we have reached the peak of our depravity and immorality. From now on not a single word from PMO should be trusted.

To the organisers of the dialogue, can we have another meeting organised then? This time make it in a stadium. I am sure Selangor is able to provide one.

Bluemountains: The dialogue was ordered to be cancelled by the IGP for security reasons. It is now incumbent on the IGP to find a venue that is safe for PM to attend. I hope there would not be more excuses.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————