masterwordsmith-unplugged

Manjit Kaur of The Star wrote a report HERE which shocked me beyond words!!



Excerpt from the report:

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng who turns 50 on Wednesday received three heart-shaped “black” chocolate cakes from several non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

The representatives of the NGOs said the cakes were given to him to express their unhappiness over the state government’s failure to address several issues.

“We are giving him the cakes with the hope that Lim’s black heart will turn into white,” said Persatuan Anak Jati Melayu Pulau Pinang member Mohamed Ghani Abd Jiman on Wednesday.

“We are also unhappy that several promises in the Penang Pakatan Rakyat manifesto in the last general election were not fulfilled.”

Mohamed Ghani, who is also Komtar Merchants Association deputy president, had once challenged Lim to a fist fight over Pasar Ramadan trading lots in Komtar in August.

The cakes, each weighing 1.5kg and cost RM60, were accepted on behalf of Lim by his special officer Amran Ahmad at level three of Komtar at noon.

Three heart-shaped black cakes x RM60 = RM180.

Believe me. That amount of money can be put to better use such as buying stationery for orphans or buying kuih for residents of an old folks' home or any other charitable organization.

I am appalled by:

• the sheer wastage of $$

• who can eat three birthday cakes weighing 1.5kg and NOT suffer any side effects of overeating or excessive consumption of sugar (which by the way is now more expensive and thanks to whom?)

• the statement made with regards to state of the CM's heart. None of us have the right to judge anyone. To me, only the Almighty has that right and prerogative.

• the medium of communication via CAKES to express their dissatisfaction. Surely they have heard of memorandums which are in black and white and cost maybe less than 1RM to print and to circulate

• such malice negates whatever Emmy Award winning presentation or rendition of Happy Birthday sung

• I am really outraged that the representatives tasted the cakes in front of Amran to show that it was safe to consume. If the cakes are meant for the CM, why eat it? There is no reason to show that it is safe to consume. There should be no fear about its safety level as it was presented in front of the press. As such, the whole set up is a mockery of the most absurd kind and does it show any respect for the CM, especially on his birthday?

While I am impressed by that Wong Kim Sei (aide to CM) demonstrated tolerance and patience in this situation, I am really speechless and absolutely dismayed by the whole scenario and how while in this case, cake-eaters did not get into trouble for eating cakes whereas in another situation as reported by Adila Razak in Malaysiakini HERE, "Eating cake appears to be "suspicious activity" for security personnel of Suria KLCC".

None of them were arrested. What would have happened if a group from the Opposition were to do the same to a person of high status?

Honestly, what has happened to simple logic and respect for one another? Surely the disgruntled do NOT have to sink to such acts that make them a laughing stock not just in the nation but internationally (if it is reported by foreign presses).

Must dissatisfaction be communicated in such a negative manner? Are they demonstrating rationale and wisdom in what appears to be the pursuit of publicity of the negative kind?

We do not need to such such absurdity in protests. There are ways to communicate to the authorities and most definitely, the best way is via elected representatives and why haven't they done that?

Whatever happened to plain simple common sense? Is there such a need to sink so low?