The silly season is upon us again

ON THE BEAT WITH WONG CHUN WAI

Wong Chun Wai served an exclusive starter on Front Page that Khalil’s the man to play the peacemaker role to end the bitter spat between PM Abdullah and Tun Dr Mahathir.

Khalil Yaakob sure has the credential as a veteran Umno politician. Furthermore he is “loved by Mahathir, respected by Pak Lah” and looks like the best choice to mediate.

By Star readers obviously do not think Khalil Yaakob is suitable. In the SMS poll, Tengku Ahmad Rithaudeen was their choice.

In my humble opinion, Khalil Yaakob is not to be dragged into this Umno intra-party political feud. He is after all the Yang Di Pertua of Melaka and should stay away from political controversy.

Although it is not unusual for a few Sultans to tick off State governments, but they only confined their remarks to development projects, environmental problems or withdrawal of Datukship from those who are charged in courts.

Our Royal Highnesses are usually not seen embroiled in political contestation. In Kelantan, Umno and PAS have tried to seek the palace’s blessing for their political maneuvers sometimes. In past decades, Governors with political background had certain role to play in those volatile political situations in Sabah.

Khalil Yaakob should decline the invitation to be playmaker. He is no longer a politician now and should not taint the Governor’s name in the process.

We are not Thailand.

Next, Joceline Tan served the main course “Who next for Penang CM?”

Yes, this is an issue not for Gerakan to decide alone but for Penangites to determine the next CM after Tsu Koon.

Well, DAP is in such a “weak” position after three consecutive defeats. Many think it no longer pose a threat to the BN in the coming elections. But who knows what will happen to Penang after the next elections. For sure it will not be Tsu Koon. But would it be Dr Teng, Chia Kwang Chye, Lee Kah Choon or someone else, Joceline?

Well, Chun Wai’s “The silly season is upon us again” should wake up all the MPs, me included. MPs should shoulder most of the responsibilities but the media is as important in promoting a better Parliament for Malaysians.

Chun Wai pointed out rightly and I feel the same too. He said,” The hardworking MPs, who have spent hours on research, unfortunately find them “hijacked” by these rude MPs the next day. The press, after all, also looks for such fights in Parliament.”

Well, Chun Wai, if the press were to “punish” these MPs without giving coverage to them the next day, they may reconsider their actions. But what we get today is rude MPs get rewarded by the press but conscientious MPs are denied the same space in the newspaper the next day. What would you do?

Maybe, Chun Wai should lead with example in the Star’s parliamentary report. Let’s see whether there will be any different if the “punishment and reward” system is overhauled.

As for me, I tried to do a little bit by blogging from inside Parliament.

So much, for “breakfast” this morning.