Jan 10 ― I would never dare to see myself as a god or someone impeccable, or greater or smarter than other people.
Like other people in this world, I have my own weaknesses and I accept such imperfection. So, I can only beseech God that He would bestow wisdom upon me to overcome my weaknesses and deficiencies.
When I realise that I have done something wrong, I would sincerely review my own mistakes and tender an apology whenever necessary. I will not obstinately blame others for my wrongdoing and carry on with my mistakes until they have become too large to be reversible.
I cannot abuse the pen in my hand to glorify someone against my conscience, less so to viciously taint the reputation of another individual.
My morality disallows me to fabricate false accusations to demonise another fellow human being.
As a professional journalist, I write what I believe is right without fear of favour based on my rational judgment and knowledge, to comment on an issue in our society and oversee those with great powers in their hands.
I will never attempt to please anyone with power, be it a chief minister or a prime minister. I will never accept any benefit or interest that comes from beyond the scope of my job duty.
I understand my job function, which is to act in the interest of our society, with public pursuit my greatest objective, and justice, transparency and rationality my ultimate goals.
I will never get infuriated, or antagonize anyone who speaks against me because all these come as of lesser importance as I have a definite goal for my job, and my own set of values.
OF ALL THE accusations Mr Lim Guan Eng has pinpointed on me, I will take with humility and look into my own deficiencies.
Many readers have said I have been very courageous, competent and capable, especially in relation to my dealings with Mr Lim Guan Eng and PM Najib, DAP and MCA/Umno, BN and Pakatan. I see it as more of a kind of lesson than a compliment I rightly take pride in.
From The CM in S-Class to the Depravity of a politician, I have treated the S-Class as an issue of public interest, trying to remind those in power to put the interest of the people above themselves, instead of putting themselves and the S-Class above all else.
Besides, politicians must also remain loyal to the political faith they once cherished, instead of falling into the trap of power and getting dragged in the nose by their lusts.
I have reiterated that the centre of the CM's official car issue is not that Mercedes Benz S-Class, but the integrity, belief and public interests reflected by it.
I had no intention of comparing Mr Lim Guan Eng to Chen Shui-bian. On the contrary, I had intended to warn Mr Lim against going down the same path as the former Taiwanese president in relation to his rise and fall, from his sky-high aspirations to excessive indulgences, failure to admit his own mistakes and recalcitrant arrogance.
Mr Lim has kept mentioning BN this and BN that in his two open letters to me. Sorry, I have nothing to do with BN, so please don't toss the BN question to me.
As an MP and key player in Malaysian politics, Mr Lim should have much better platform or channels to query BN or Najib. He definitely doesn't need a small fry like me to help him do this.
I have already explained the frequency and force with which I have hit out at the BN or Najib, and I am not going to talk about this all over again. Whether you accept it or not, I will still respect your decision.
Just like Mr Lim who keeps bragging about his track record in running Penang. Those who believe in him will always believe and those who don't will not change their minds even though he was to tell the same story over and again for a hundred times.
In my previous article I questioned a few of Mr Lim's policies and after he replied and defended, I would like to hereby offer my clarification:
I never said the sPICE project was unlawful. I only highlighted the fact that the contract was way too much to the advantage of the developer (just like what I said of the highway concessionaires in the past.)
I didn't say the RM6.3 billion undersea tunnel was too expensive to build, but that it failed to conduct an EIA appraisal while its cost-effectiveness and environmental impact remained dubious.
Perhaps Mr Lim has better ways to explain why the Relau Hills have been stripped of their forests, who settled the RM600m water supply bill, and why Penang has plunged to eighth place in luring foreign investments. Of course, I would not nag at him if he eventually chooses to ignore me.
As for his intention to meet me to discuss things face-to-face, I don't honestly think there is a need for this. I am no politician and putting up a show is not my strength. All that I ought to do is to do my journalist job well and conscientiously.
In a similar manner, what I think Mr Lim should do is to become a DAP secretary-general of noble aspirations, a chief minister who is clean and performing, and a leader who will unreservedly admit his own shortcomings and who keeps improving himself.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malay Mail Online.
