On Friday afternoon, a fax came through to my office, the usual emergency invitation to attend a government function.

This time it came from the Minister of Information to attend a “Senada Seirama” dinner at Angkasapuri on the coming Tuesday.

I was annoyed when I read the opening paragraph:

“Sukacita saya memaklumkan Kementerian Penerangan akan menganjurkan satu majlis makan malam bagi meraikan Ahli-Ahli Parlimen Barisan Nasional yang telah membantu Kementerian ini dalam menjayakan agenda Negara.”

First objection, why should a dinner be held solely for MPs from Barisan Nasional? Clearly Minister Zam wants to leave out the Opposition. I am wondering whether Opposition politicians should still attend RTM’s debate programme because Zam would use their attendance to prove he is a First World Minister that does not discriminate the Opposition.

Second objection, why bother to invite us (DAP MPs) if the dinner function is to entertain BN MPs? Maybe Zam thinks Chow Kon Yeow, Chong Eng, Lim Hock Seng and the rest are all BN MPs!

We are quite used to political discrimination but be sure we are not taking it lying down.

Maybe Zam has an answer for the (mis)invitation.

Should we go?