The Choice - Because every Malaysian has to choose

Skip to content

Sun26052013

Back Take 3

Take 3

Najib has tabled Budget 2013

28 September 2012

Newsdesk

Tax breaks, affordable housing, cash for the needy, Najib seems to have covered most areas of concern, while announcing that the fiscal deficit would be reduced to 4% in 2013.

THE GOVERNMENT'S TAKE

We have delivered a sustainable and realistic Budget given the global economic situation, meeting the demands of most citizens, from farmers and fishermen to government employees and retirees.

THE OPPOSITION'S TAKE

The Government has failed to show the political will needed to avoid falling into a similar financial crisis like Spain or Greece. Budget 2013 will not tackle the ballooning federal government debt.

OUR TAKE

Not only has Najib delivered a people-friendly and pro-business Budget, he has also managed to stay fiscally responsible, ensuring the country's economic health remains robust amid the global uncertainty.

Add new comment

Pakatan Rakyat is still missing its shadow cabinet

25 September 2012

Newsdesk

With GE13 looming, time is running out for the Opposition coalition to name a shadow cabinet. So what’s the delay?

THE GOVERNMENT'S TAKE

Barisan Nasional says voters need to know which ministers would occupy the key portfolios in a Pakatan Government, and these would-be ministers then need to explain their policies to the rakyat well ahead of polling day. This is precisely what its ministers are required to do in relation to Government policies on a daily basis.

THE OPPOSITION'S TAKE

DAP Deputy Chairman Dr Tan Seng Giaw has branded calls for a shadow cabinet to be named as “illogical” while PKR Vice President N Surendran has gone further calling the request “absurd”. They were responding to claims by influential supporters that the lack of a shadow cabinet “restricts their credibility”. Tan cryptically added "you cannot have shadow cabinet unless you are elected" which makes no sense.

OUR TAKE

More than anything else, Pakatan needs to name a shadow cabinet because they need to convince voters they are ready to govern. Similarly they need to release a comprehensive manifesto. Their point blank refusal to do this raises questions about substance and coalition unity. It is normal for any opposition in any parliamentary democracy to name a shadow cabinet, especially ahead of an election.

Add new comment

Najib Launches the National Education Blueprint

12 September 2012

Newsdesk

Described by the Government as “frank and bold”, the Opposition dismisses the NEB, saying BN won’t have the capacity to act on the blueprint.

THE GOVERNMENT'S TAKE

The NEB is a historic overhaul of our education system, equipping students with knowledge, thinking skills and bi-lingual proficiency. 4G broadband will be rolled out to all our 10,000 schools, allowing for a nationwide, virtual learning platform. It will simply make our schools among the world’s best.

THE OPPOSITION'S TAKE

The Government won’t be able to implement the NEB. Instead BN should set up a Parliamentary Select Committee on education so MPs from all parties can give their views and recommendations.

OUR TAKE

The NEB is already based on the input of 50,000 stakeholders. It will raise teacher training entry standards and bring parents into the academic process, with the end result that schools will have total autonomy over their own administration. Once again, Pakatan has nothing constructive to add. We doubt, they have actually read the NEB.

Add new comment

Lynas Finally Gets the Go Ahead it Needs

07 September 2012

Newsdesk

After a seemingly never-ending debacle, the landmark Lynas rare earths refinery has been granted a temporary operating license (TOL) and expects to begin operations next month.

THE GOVERNMENT'S TAKE

The time has come for this issue to be put behind us. It is in the national interest that this strategically important facility is no longer made into a political football. Instead its potential to produce a sixth of the world’s supply of rare earths should be nurtured for the benefit of Malaysians.

THE OPPOSITION'S TAKE

We still maintain that the Lynas plant is unsafe, in spite of the volumes of scientific evidence. Lynas’ legal battle with Free Malaysia Today shows that there is no freedom of speech. It is yet another example of the Opposition being victimised.

OUR TAKE

Reason has prevailed. It is understandable that questions should be asked about the safety of such a site, but once answered and safety ensured, Malaysians should have been allowed to show their support for the Government on the matter – not confused and spun by a pro-Opposition websites.

Add new comment

Telling the Truth About Crime

29 August 2012

Newsdesk

Based on an unsourced, anonymous letter, Pakatan alleges that the Government's crime statistics have been manipulated to paint a rosy picture for the public.

THE GOVERNMENT'S TAKE

This is absurd and, once again, an effort by Pakatan to manufacture a scandal where none exists. Our low crime rate was achieved through hard work by the police and other enforcement agencies. The fact is that crime is dropping, making us the safest country in Southeast Asia.

THE OPPOSITION'S TAKE

The letter – purportedly written by a policeman with 30 years' experience – states that crime cases have methodically shifted from "index" to "non-index" offences that were not registered as part of the official statistics. That's clear manipulation and no mere denial can disprove this claim.

OUR TAKE

Since when do we give credence to anonymous letters over audits by accredited, international agencies? Rather than investigating the Government's crime statistics, we should investigate the authenticity of the anonymous policeman who gave his pen-name as Sumun Osram.

Comments (1)