From: ipacs@solomon.technet.sg (IPACS PTE LTD)
Subject: Re: Discussion on Malaysian sultanate amendments
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL8]
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1993 03:08:33 GMT

Othman Ahmad (eoahmad@ntuix.ntu.ac.sg) wrote:
: IPACS PTE LTD (ipacs@solomon.technet.sg) wrote:
: : Othman Ahmad (eoahmad@ntuix.ntu.ac.sg) wrote:
: : : : fleets of cars, must go.  Special wards in hospitals reserved for the
: : : : royalty would be open to the public.  Dr Mahathir would no longer seek a

: : : It would mean that the kings will not even be entittled to what an ordinary
: : : citizen can get.

: : Sorry I don't get this.  What do u mean the king will not be entitled to...
: : etc.?  The way it looks to me, the PUBLIC is getting what the kings were
: : originally given.
: You are absolutely wrong. The public always can get what the kings have.
: The special number plates can be bought by the public but now the kings cannot
: have them. The public can hire special wards in hospital but now the kings
: cannot have special wards at all. 
: 	The public can be allocated special vehicles for use but now the 
: kings cannot. These discrimination goes on and on but you people should 
: read carefully.
: 	This is the first private concessions of what happens to ANYONE who
: opposes Dr. Mahathir. Tell me why do you think the MPs are loyal to him?

: 	The public can apply for timber concessions but now the kings CANNOT.
: This is a blatant discrimination against the kings as citizens. Now they
: are the 3RD CLASS CITIZENS of Malaysia.

: --
: Othman bin Ahmad, School of EEE,
: Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 2263.
: Internet Email: eoahmad@ntuix.ntu.ac.sg
: Bitnet Email: eoahmad@ntuvax.bitnet

Let me give you some tips Othman.  When you want to DISCUSS an issue, you do
not say things like ABSOLUTELY WRONG, YOU THINK IS DEFINTELY YOUR OWN
INVENTION, THAT IS A BLATANT LIE etc etc.  If you want to start an argument,
then I guess you're justified (though you should keep it to email);
otherwise please try and be polite.  While you may not be very concerned
with such matters, other netters happen to have feelings too.

Also, IMHO, this issue does not belong in this newsgroup.  Would the
original poster and all subsequent follow-ups PLEASE direct your responses
elsewhere... I believe soc.culture.malaysia is coming up soon.  There have
been far too many posts in soc.culture.singapore recently which appear to be
setting the tone for future posts.  And no dumb flames about how this
probably does reflect the Singapore "road-bully" culture.

Anyway, Othman, in reply to your comments:

[My information is from what I read in the ST]

You say that the "public always can get what the kings have".  I don't think
so.  It was stated very clearly that there were certain "reserved wards" in
the hospitals which were used ONLY by the royals.  For much of the year,
these wards were empty.  The current reversal of policy is to ALLOW the
public use of these wards during periods of disuse.  The Sultanate is STILL
allowed to book these wards for their own use.  They have merely been denied
exclusive use of wards, as well as the assurance that they will ALWAYS have
a ward in the hospital.

Number plates:  The kings will NO LONGER have preferential treatment.  They
will have to bid for the numbers like anyone else.

I am unable to remember much of the details of the other changes, and so
will not comment on them.

So, now am I still ABSOLUTELY WRONG?  If so, please QUOTE your source. 
Remember that not everyone has access to your sources.


Tan Wee Men
Newsgroups: soc.culture.singapore