YOURSAY ‘Before we talk about unity, we will need to ‘bersih’ the gov’t first.’
Disgusted: ‘Bersih’ is a dirty word for Umno-BN as they are ‘kotor’. What right have they to prevent schools from taking part in Merdeka celebrations in the state?
Are Merdeka celebrations exclusive to Umno-BN and its supporters and not for the rest of the rakyat? In that case, the rakyat should boycott all celebrations organised by Umno-BN.
Don't accuse opposition of dividing the nation when it is Umno-BN which is doing it. We need to fight for ‘merdeka’ from Umno-BN government's villainy and oppression of the rakyat.
Geng RM2.6 Billion: Why are the school children at this tender age being told that the word 'bersih' is a bad word. Oh my gosh, where is this country headed for?
Rupert16: The country cannot achieve unity and harmony if the government is not ‘bersih’, and have the tendency to exploit racial and religious issues when it is hit with allegations of corruption.
So before we talk about unity, we will need to ‘bersih’ the government first. Hence Penang's Merdeka theme is very appropriate.
RakyatBiasa: ‘Bersih’ is certainly more meaningful than 'Malaysia, Sehati Sejiwa’ when we are anything but ‘sehati sejiwa’ under the BN government. How can we be ‘sehati sejiwa’ amidst lies and corruption?
Gggg: Malaysia and the independence day belongs to all Malaysians. Telling children not to participate in the celebration is tantamount to utmost disrespect to our country.
ResIpsa: All netizens should note that National Day should be above politics. I am a neutral and only hope for a better Malaysia to live in.
No matter what our racial background or differences in thinking, there should be no compromise especially where our National Day is concerned.
There is nothing wrong with the slogan ‘Malaysia Sehati Sejiwa’, which nevertheless can lead one to conclude that the BN is going to gain extra points from the rakyat.
That issue has to be tackled separately in a different forum such as the Bersih rally and in social media where to date netizens have applied tremendous pressure for clean elections and for the PM to go.
I am fully supportive of that and hope some rational thinking will prevail.
Tan Kim Keong: Even wanting a clean country is an issue. Time and time again, we are seeing the intelligence level, or lack of it, of senior government officials.
Penang state education director Osman Hussain has just been added to the list.
Perak Boleh: Even a national event like Merdeka is politicised by the Umno government. Come on all parents, bring your school-going children to witness what real democracy is at the Penang celebration.
Parents from other states shall also join the Penang celebration instead of letting their children wave ‘I Love PM’ banners.
Fairperson: ‘Malaysia, Sehati Sejiwa’ - what's wrong with this and why can't DAP adopt this theme?
There are certain things where the federal government is right and the state government is wrong. In this case, the state is wrong.
Please change your stand and follow the federal dictate. Humility is more divine than ego.
Justice Pao: It appears that Dr Mahathir Mohamad's slogan many years ago, ‘Bersih, Cekap dan Amanah’, is too sensitive and vulgar to Najib Abdul Razak and Umno now as they possess none of these attributes.
Tommy: Does it mean now that all the detergent/dish-washing/soap/shampoos and other related cleaning companies would have to think of another word to replace the word 'Bersih' in their advertisements? Laugh out loud (LOL).
GE14Now!: Why is the word 'Bersih' sensitive when words like 'corruption’, ‘donation’, ‘sacking’, ‘transfers’, ‘harassment' are not?
Let me tell you which words are truly sensitive with many Malaysians. Try the following: 'thugs’, ‘whack’, ‘donation’, ‘BN’, ‘Umno’, ‘Najib'.
Armageddon: Obviously, the Education Ministry is not manned by educated people. They are suffering from ‘Bersihphobia’.
LEF: ‘Bersih, cekap, amanah’... it rings much bells and reminds me of an age where there was hope.
It shouldn't be a crime to re-use old slogans, even if it is meaningless. Unless of course, you are a petty, narrow and small-minded public service official who thinks that this is a way to curry flavour with his/her boss.
EmEmKay: What is wrong with the BN government? They are frightened of words such as ‘bersih, cekap, amanah’ (clean, efficient and trustworthy). That means the BN government is unclean, inefficient and untrustworthy.
My Opinion: Penang CM Lim Guan Eng, you cannot use the word 'bersih’ because it will confuse our cleaners. -Mkini