14 theSun | FRIDAY JANUARY 23 2009

speak up!

thesun says

Death threats raise stakes

ON TUESDAY, Petaling an already tough job even Finally, one salutes MBPJ and
Tough choices
for Umno
Jaya councillor Derek harder, one understands its councillors’ and officers for their FOR far too long many in- to mince words for the sake of
Fernandez received a call. why no one is taking a steadfastness in discharging their du- cumbents in the federal ruling popularity and will initiate the
According to a police report number to join the queue ties despite the intimidation. The bill- coalition have been lulled into necessary changes to return
lodged by Fernandez, the to be a councillor – no one board issue has been a long festering complacency which has evolved the BN and especially Umno to
caller said: “You and your who is interested to serve one, fuelled by greased palms of those into arrogance. The Barisan the fold of the people.
family are going to die!” that is! When public serv- assigned with the public trust and Nasional’s victories in every The fact that Najib wants to
Fernandez believes that ants such as Fernandez rent-seekers who want to profit from general election and most by- change the image of his party,
the call is in relation to and his fellow councillors tainted officials, flaws in the law and elections since independence which is losing its appeal among
MBPJ’s blitz against illegal are faced with such threats the lax enforcement. To back down caused some leaders to lose voters, especially the younger
billboards. Last week when to life and limb, it is in- now would mark the end of MBPJ as sight of their responsibilities as crowd, augurs well for all Ma-
MBPJ was taking down Down2Earth cumbent upon us to ensure an authority, awarding victory to the leaders to serve the people. It is laysians as we have a leader
one in SS2, they were ap- that our public officers are crooks. not uncommon for the people who is willing to tackle the
proached by 20 men to get by Terence Fernandez accorded all the protection Speaking of which, state executive – not just the Opposition – to ac- hard issues – even if it means
them to stop. they need to carry out councillor for local government Ronnie cuse leaders in the ruling party he may lose popularity among
All-Petaling Jaya Residents As- their responsibilities without fear or Liu should stop interfering in the run- of looking into the interests of a some of those in his party. But
sociation Coalition chairman Liew favour. ning of councils in Selangor. The port- select few instead of the people one thing is certain – Najib is
Wei Beng also joined Fernandez on So one hopes that by now the folio only allows him to give general who put them in power. not alone. There are many oth-
Tuesday to lodge the report as he was police would have traced the caller, directions, not specific orders such as Defeats in two recent ers like him who want to return
verbally abused by a man at the scene. and hauled him up for questioning. overruling MBPJ’s order to shut down by-elections and the loss of Umno and BN to its glory days
In fact MBPJ had to get another crane However, at press time, there has been an illegal parlour or presiding over the BN’s two-thirds majority in when it commanded the trust
operator to help dismantle the giant no word from the men in blue. awarding of a maintenance contract the Dewan Rakyat last year and respect of the people.
unipole as the one the council hired Now that all numbers, including for Kelab Syabas swimming pool or underscore the voters’ seeth- As in every recovery proc-
had refused to continue working – ap- pre-paid ones have to be registered, even the relocation of hawkers. ing dissatisfaction with their ess, it all starts with acceptance
parently intimidated by several men. there should be no trouble in solving Such activities are among the rea- government. – acceptance of the cold hard
To top that off, MBPJ’s council- this case, lest the police are accused of sons the previous administration was This is why the warning facts, as painful as they may
lors and officers had to put up with a being selective in their investigations thrown out. Thus, Liu should allow from Deputy Prime Minister be for some to hear. But only
bogus Datuk who used to run a flying and handling of cases. Thuggery and the local councils to carry out their Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, by taking stock of the situation
school. This character, who has a political bullying have no place in the functions. who is BN and Umno deputy can one truly appreciate the
cheating conviction over his head, had discharging of one’s public duties and chief, that Umno must change gravity of the position the BN is
passed himself off as financial officer the sooner this message gets across, or perish, following the Kuala in and administer the required
for Parti Keadilan Rakyat and even the better it will be for the people and Terence feels betrayed by some Pakatan Terengganu by-election defeat, treatment.
told the councillors that the owner of those who serve them. Rakyat leaders who seem to be repeat- is timely. Najib did right by call- Thus, Najib has taken the
the billboard had a “reprieve” from And as with Anwar and PKR, they ing the mistakes of their predecessors. ing a spade a spade as only a first step in this do-or-die mis-
none other than Datuk Seri Anwar would be wise to look into this char- He is reminded of George Orwell’s reality check can awaken some sion to rehabilitate his bruised
Ibrahim. acter who claims to be their “pegawai Animal Farm where the pigs who led leaders from their slumber. party and regain the voters’
Fernandez, Richard Teoh, Lateefah kewangan” and seems to be represent- the rebellion against human oppressors By his words “Umno must trust. What is needed now is
Koya and the other councillors gave ing them. If it is proven that this is a ended up being oppressors themselves. repent … we must change our for others to join him by setting
him an earful and he ran off with his fraud, action must be taken and the He is deputy editor (special reports & culture and our attitude”, the aside their selfishness, petty dif-
tail between his legs. full might of the law brought to bear investigations). Comments: terence@ prime minister-in-waiting has ferences and stepping up to the
With all these characters making on him. thesundaily.com. demonstrated that he is not one plate for the hard work ahead.