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Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is blogging as:
Pak Lah, The official blog of Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (Prime Minister of Malaysia 2003-2009)
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Pak Lah in mild reproach of sedition laws | MMO http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/pak-lah-in-mild-reproach-of-sedition-laws-without-revealing-personal-stance … #Malaysia @gst183 @cheong_desmond @malaysianalways @nonvitaltoot
In a blog post today, Abdullah trumpeted sincerity as the one quality that could rescue even weak laws but left unsaid whether he wants sedition laws scrapped or otherwise.
“There is no use of drafting better legislation if the implementation is not fair and sincere,” he said.
“If utilised sincerely, even imperfect legislations can be used and can be beneficial.
“If we are not sincere, no matter how good a law is, it would be harmful,” he added.
Abdullah, stressed that he had committed many mistakes but had openly apologised for them.
“I am not saying that someone who has made mistakes in the past has no right to criticise others. But if we want to criticise, at least first admit your own mistakes,” he added.
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Mahathir’s and Pak Lah’s blogs
2014-09-18 15:19
By LIM MUN FAH
Translated by DOMINIC LOH
Sin Chew Daily
Mahathir and Abdullah were two very different former prime ministers. They were different not only in the ways they ran the country,but also how they talk and behave. People who don’t like Mahathir say he is autocratic while Pak Lah is generally described as accommodating but at times weak and indecisive.
These two former leaders have also showed very different political attitudes after they stepped down from office. Mahathir remains very active today and will criticize as fervently as ever in his blog. Sometimes his remarks have gone a little overboard but at other times, they are simply incisive and straight to the point.
In stark contrast to Mahathir’s high profile, Abdullah has stayed in such low key that his presence is almost forgotten by the country. On Malaysia Day this year, he made a surprising entry into the blogosphere, commanding public attention with his article “Erti Kemerdekaan dan Perpaduan.”
Much like his characters, Pak Lah’s maiden piece on the blogosphere has been smooth and uneventful and is not expected to trigger substantial controversies, unlike his predecessor whose blog is always causing polarized arguments and controversies.
Mahathir speaks what others do not have the guts to do. For example, he hit out at the Malays recently, an area few would dare to tread. The Malay community does not react with furor, and of course, this has something to do with his noble status in the Malay society.
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Pak Lah conveys his message with a soft spoken tone, not loud reprimands or harsh criticisms. Nevertheless, he has spoken what has remained deep in the hearts of the quiet majority.
Mahathir’s writings could be more readable and stimulating, like a strong liquor that could promote blood circulation if consumed moderately. However, overconsumption is not only intoxicating, but will also numb our rational thinking and bring grave consequences.
Pak Lah’s writings, meanwhile, might appear less stimulating, but it is neither intoxicating nor confounding our minds, like plain water, but brings beneficial effects.
http://www.mysinchew.com/node/101841
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Kit Siang welcomes Pak Lah’s blog, says it addresses unity
Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s inaugural blog posting has addressed the biggest issue haunting Malaysia since he was prime minister – the rearing of the ugly head of intolerance and extremism that is causing the worst racial and religious polarisation in the nation’s history, DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang (pic) said.
In welcoming Abdullah’s first posting yesterday, which also marked the 51st Malaysia Day, Lim described as “valid and justified” Abdullah’s concerns that the people were now focusing more on differences in political thinking, race, religion and social status rather than the country’s diversity; and that the freedom to express via the social media has been used to voice anger and hatred.
“But is he prepared to take up the cudgel to champion moderation against baneful developments, like the upsurge of intolerance, extremism and the sedition dragnet which have created a climate of fear in country, as if we are in a prelude to Ops Lalang 2?” Lim said in a statement today.
http://news.malaysia.msn.com/tmi/kit-siang-welcomes-pak-lah%E2%80%99s-blog-says-it-addresses-unity
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Erti Kemerdekaan dan Perpaduan
Assalamualaikum dan salam sejahtera pada saudara-saudari rakyat Malaysia sekelian.
Pada hari yang bermakna ini saya terpanggil untuk mencatatkan dan berkongsi dengan saudara-saudari rasa hati saya berkaitan negara tercinta kita Malaysia.
Rakyat Malaysia sungguh megah dengan kepelbagaian di dalam negara kita. Bukan sahaja sekadar menerima kepelbagaian ini, kita juga pancarkannya ke merata dunia sebagai satu harta pilihan atau kepunyaan yang kita kagumi.
Tetapi kebelakangan ini, ramai diantara kita menumpukan perhatian bukan kepada kepelbagaian masyarakat, tetapi kepada perbezaan di dalam masyarakat. Baik dari segi fahaman politik, bangsa, agama, mahupun taraf hidup, perbezaan ini dibiarkan melarat ke perbalahan yang tidak terbatas.
Sikap toleransi dan saling menghormati diantara satu sama lain sudah berkurangan. Kebebasan bersuara yang kita nikmati melalui laman sosial media dan portal Internet yang lain, diguna untuk meluahkan perasaan marah perkauman yang tak terbatas. Saya sedih melihat apa yang terjadi di dalam negara kita yang tercinta ini walaupun banyak usaha telah diadakan untuk memupuk perpaduan di antara kaum.
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Malaysia Chronicle
‘SLEEPING BEAUTY’ Pak Lah finally awakens, starts own blog reminding M’sia belongs to ALL M’sians
KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysians need to remember that the country belongs to all citizens regardless of their race, former Prime Minsiter Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said today as the country celebrates the 51st anniversary of the formation of the federation.
In his first-ever blog post since he stepped down as prime minister in 2009, Badawi lamented the deteriorating ties among Malaysians, many of whom are too busy harping on the differences that divide society.
“Be it political ideology, race, religion or even living standards, these differences have been allowed to fester into unbridled feuding,” he said in his Malaysia Day message on his new blog, Pak Lah.
Badawi, who succeeded Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed as the fifth prime minister, said national unity has been relegated to mere seasonal fare, with Malaysians banding together only in victory or grief.
He said tolerance and mutual respect, which were long bedrocks of Malaysian society, have diminished in importance, overtaken by unrestrained angry racist rants on the internet and social media.
“I am saddened to see what has happened in our beloved country even after many efforts to instil racial unity,” he said.
Malay Mail
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Social media welcomes Pak Lah’s ‘refreshing’ blog
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Star
Tuesday September 16, 2014 MYT 7:53:27 PM
Pak Lah’s raises curtain on new blog with message of unity
PETALING JAYA: Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdulah Ahmad Badawi reminded Malaysians that unity should be practiced at all times, and not only during celebrations, victory, tragedies or disaster.
“Malaysians are very proud the country’s diversity. Not only do we accept the diversity, but we also portray to the world that it is something that we appreciate and admire,” he said on his blog, Paklah.net.
“However, lately many of us have boon focusing not on the diversity, but on the differences,” he added.
Pak Lah, as he is fondly known, said that tolerance and respect have reduced among the people.
“The freedom of speech that we enjoy through social media and Internet portals have been used without limitation to expresses racial sentiments.
“I am saddened by what is happening in this beloved nation in spite of the many efforts taken to unite the people,” he said.
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/09/16/Pak-lah-blog-unity-at-all-times/
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weehingthong 