"Shut them up and make it quick!"

Is this how it is in Malaysia ?

I 'm sure all of you would have known about how Gobind has been suspended from Parliament for a year. His father Mr Karpal has also been charged with sedition today for threatening to sue HRH the Sultan of Perak. It appears to me that every organ of state is being used to drown and out muscle the voice of dissent in this country.

I think the suspension of YB Gobind for one year is a tad too harsh for the "offence" that he allegedly committed. If you cant ask questions in Parliament then where else can one obtain answers ? There are many questions in that Altantuya trial and issues surrounding it that are not very satisfactory. In my mind there are too many mysteries and unresolved matters regarding that case. I guess Mr Najib could have easily put all the allegations against him to bed simply by responding to Gobind's questions in Parliament. Maybe the YB from Puchong may have been a little exuberant in the way and manner in which he approached the issue. Call it naive or even inexperience but to suspend him for a year sounds way too harsh in the circumstances.

Mr Karpal is facing charges for sedition. In my mind the charge of sedition is one very antiquated piece of legislation that ought to be removed permanently from our laws. In a civilised society we can always agree to disagree. The Federal Constitution says that the royalty can be sued and that position is very clear. One may agree or disagree with Mr Karpal's views in wanting to sue HRH the Sultan of Perak but to charge him with sedition ? Sounds very harsh to me.

Maybe the answers are in the ballot box! The next time you vote.....vote wisely, Very wisely!

M V Nathan