Courting Trouble Fast, by Appealing for Common Sense

When faced with criticisms both within and beyond, the Malaysian government has always been quick to respond that proof of democracy here is that we hold free elections. When someone from the United States once pointed out that by that yardstick even Hitler had elections, there was a great hue and cry that Malaysia's sovereignty was insulted when the Nazi dictator and this country were uttered "in the same breath".

Even by the government's shallow breadth of democracy, the state of Perak falls rather short, with calls for a new mandate falling on deaf ears. Even Mahathir has mentioned that elections would see BN losing - in essence admitting that while the courts may be in their corner, and perhaps even a legislative vote of no confidence with the aid of self-serving frogs, the confidence of the people of Perak is a different story entirely.

Zambry is of course trying to maximize the decision of the Appellate Court as much as he was trying to minimize (with record breaking judicial speeds from a stay to a hearing to a decision) the judgment of the High Court. Once again, however, he has fallen on his own sword, a victim of sad irony. First, there was his little statement comparing himself to Gandhi - while the Pakatan Rakyat face the police when they try a simple fast. There were the calls from BN leaders asking the PR people to respect and accept the new court decision - contrasted to the previous decision when Najib said he would "solve the problem."

And now, a very large foot in a very large mouth appears for Zambry - as the Malaysian Insider reports:

"The people should not be fearful or apprehensive in bringing up problems related to illegal settlement and land to the state government, said Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir."

By risking mentioning the obvious, how about the illegal settlement OF the state government?

Or at least, in the next breath, an immoral one?