Yoursay: Kudos to politically-conscious celebrities

Vijay47: Nothing is really surprising here. The Umno general assembly is the time to make your mark, to catch your master’s eye so that he would know in which direction to send riches to or even who to select for the elections.

Thus we can expect all kinds of riff-raff to surface, creatures that seem convinced that the utter rubbish they spew would amaze, titillate and impress the countless opportunists and hangers-on lurking at the Putra World Trade Centre.

So it now appears that jazz queen Sheila Majid has to fall at the feet of all Umno leaders past and present for God’s gift of a nightingale’s voice to her. However, this protocol of gratitude somehow eludes me.

To what heights must this thankfulness be carried? Nicol David, the multiple-time world squash champion, is from Penang. So must she kiss Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s feet or Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s toes?

I suppose Sheila and actress Nur Fathia Latiff can now count on being blacklisted by RTM for their suicidal comments. And all this from our caring government, the best democracy in the world. Only in Malaysia, folks, only in Malaysia.

Anonymous 2460391489930458: I wonder what would happen if Sheila instead praised Umno and Najib, and said, “I love Umno and Najib, they are the best things since canned foods and digital cameras.”

Maybe that would earn her a Tan Sri title.

Anonymous 2460391489930458: Well, the critics of celebrities who express their opinion should instead be more careful when making statements. Asking someone to “go to hell” doesn’t exactly speak well of them.

Everyone is entitled to speak their mind. We call it freedom of speech. If you don’t like it, that is your problem.

After Sheila-bashing, celebrities ask: Don’t our opinions count?

Mmmmmmmm: In response to Sheila’s tweet on Tuesday, Umno information chief Annuar Musa said, “This is not her expertise. If she wants to talk about the high cost of living, a rubber tapper can do that too.”

Indeed, and a rubber tapper should do so too. I’m sure it affects them even more.

I think what the artistes did is very commendable and shows empathy for the less fortunate. I believe the richer and more powerful you are, the more you should speak up for the poor and powerless.

Anonymous_1371527725: It is most encouraging to see Malaysians from all walks of life (except, of course, those who are on the gravy train) speaking out on the real situation in our country.

You do not have to be an economist to see that cost of things have been on the rise; even when we are sick, the government still wants to tax us – through GST (goods and services tax) – for doctor consultation and medicine.

Our hard-earned money is allegedly used to pay for someone’s handbags, diamonds, expensive shopping trips and yachts.

Clever Voter: It is very obvious that Umno is not used to any adverse comments, let alone from anyone in the entertainment industry.

They forget that times have changed, that constituents are demanding for their rights to be heard, and that their views be respected.

Mano: It is great that the divas are speaking their minds. They are equally entitled to their opinions on politics, which affects all aspects of our lives, including all those that Sheila has referred to.

And all citizens have a constitutional right to do so. Thank you.

Appum: Not everybody needs to be politically active, but most definitely they need to be politically conscious for the sake of their country and that is what these artistes are doing.

They are showing their patriotism, that they care about the direction their country is heading to, that enough is enough and we don’t want our country to be known as the most kleptocratic country in the world.

Sheila confused between cost of living and cost of lifestyle, says Irwan

Legit: Why are many Malaysians complaining if everything is fine and dandy with 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) and what not?

Treasury secretary-general Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah, you don’t understand what the middle class and the poor are going through.

Sheila, despite her high living, seems to understand better the difficulties common Malaysians are going through. This is the point she is making and she is entirely at liberty to express her views.

Right-thinking Malaysians just do not understand why you are making so much fuss about her saying these things.

Shunyata: Irwan has a way of speaking as if everything always falls neatly into place. Yes, annual salary increment is five to six percent, but is the man aware that not all places of employment even offer an increment?

Yes, the rich are unaffected by increased costs of living, but is he aware that they may be fighting for their family, friends and the masses?

Yes, there’s BR1M, but in all his arrogance, is he aware that most of the middle class are not entitled to it and are also hit hard? The man speaks with such disdain, it’s painful to read.

Not Convinced: I’m not surprised that this is coming from Irwan.

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