Of HINDRAF and Raya Open House

I am most annoyed by Wong Chun Wai's latest blog comments under the above title. Here is my comment left on his blog. I hope he will allow it to be published.

Quote:
You agree with the official tagline that HINDRAF politicised Hari Raya Open House. Yet, in the next breath, you say that that Open House is paid for by the taxpayers. I believe HINDRAF members are also taxpayers? Further, if the Open House is not political, then, the expenses should be borne from the private pockets of the hosts.

Please do not say the event is non-political but the taxpayers foot the enormous bill.

Besides what is wrong to ask for a favour during Hari Raya? Here we have women and children deprived of their loved ones during this "happy" and forgiving festival. Is it wrong then, to ask for some sympathy and forgiveness?

Forgiveness because their loved ones have NOT been proved guilty or even been charged in a court of law. Only that the people they are begging for help say so.

What exactly is so wrong that HINDRAF detainees' family members and friends have done that they should be chastised by the Government and, now, you? What is wrong for anti-ISA members to ask for release of the other detainees? Most of these detainees will not be with their loved ones. And for what crime? May I ask you that they have committed? When the authorities cannot find sufficient evidence to produce in a court of law?

Answer this! to justify your reprimand.

Another thing is this comment:-

Malaysia is probably one of the few countries where you can actually walk to the PM and asked for a photograph to be taken. This is the only place I can think of where there is a Raya open house and thousands would patiently line up for their turn to shake the PM's hand ..

I wonder what does Mr. Wong sees whenever he goes overseas? Does he look but do not see? All over Europe and the Americas, in law abiding & democratic nations, the nation's leaders reach out to shake the hands of their fellow citizens. Who do you think are shaking Obama's hands as he travel the nation? Only invited guests? Or senior journalists like himself?

Give me a break with all this crappy nonsense!

Perhaps, during this forgiving festive period, I should write it off as jet-lag and possibly still awestruck after meeting ex-President Bill Clinton and have had his photo taken with him.