In their efforts to whip up support in the upcoming Umno elections, some Umno candidates have spewed political garbage and racial remarks which have angered Malaysians.
But so far the candidate who has made the most ridiculous, dangerous and unacceptable remarks is definitely the Home Minister Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi who is defending his vice presidency.
His “shoot to kill” and “Tiga Line to do what should be done” speech at the “Security Briefing ceremony with Community Leaders” function in Melaka last Saturday were most shocking and unbecoming.
Is he going to say that he is not aware that Tiga Line is among a list of 49 secret societies released by the Home Ministry in August and declared unlawful?
His threat to reporters present at the function against reporting his speech or he would shut down their newspapers is also a blatant and clear abuse of powers.
The Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib can pretend not to hear the unbecoming and unacceptable remarks made by Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam and other Umno candidates, but he certainly cannot ignore what Zahid has said as Zahid is the holding the powerful portfolio of Home Ministry.
Zahid has not only become a disgrace to himself; he has also become a disgrace to the Cabinet. The government and the nation cannot have a Home Minister who holds extreme, dangerous views and abuses his powers. Undoubtedly, Zahid’s appointment as Home Minister is the most disastrous Cabinet appointment made by Najib.
Zahid must either resign his Home Minister’s position or be sacked from his position.
Suhakam Chairman Hasmy Agam has warned yesterday that the forthcoming UN review on human rights will not look kindly upon Malaysia’s recently amended Prevention of Crime Act 1959 for its preventive detention laws.
Zahid can feel proud and boast that he has been able to get the draconian amendments bulldozed through in Parliament last week, but he should know that he has caused Malaysia’s international image and human rights record to take another dip.