Say yes, KJ

"Say sorry."

"Uh-uh, no way."

"Say sorry, dammit."

"Uh-uh, no way. I stated facts. Want to debate over it? Live?"

******* (Answer pending) ********


Flashback:
DAP's Tony Pua writes a commentary about the just-announced civil service pay increase. He is all for it. He does note however that the civil service is bloated after recent massive employment drives.

In 2006, there were 1.1 million civil servants. The nation's total labour force that same year was 10.7 million. In other words, 1 out of every 10 employed persons in the country works in the government. Such a statistic is out of whack with the Mahathir administration's philosophy to reduce the economic burden on the government via privatisation. They were aiming for a 500,000 civil service workforce then; we are currently 120% off-target!

Tony points that this scenario exists because the civil service has been turned into a 'reservoir' to absorb "unemployed Malay graduates". Najib himself made that call last year, although he didn't use the word Malay.

Umno's Khairy Jamaluddin is pissed with that remark. How dare Tony insult the civil servants, who had to go through stringent entry tests, and who had faithfully served the country for years. He wants Tony and the DAP to apologise.

Tony ain't budging. Instead, Screenshots' JeffOoi informs that DAP has booked a hall to host a debate on this issue, and perhaps more.

*********

Ahhh, who needs the Man U show?

Say yes, KJ. Say you'll be there.

And tell Zam to bring along his TV, radio and newspaper crew. Tell him to beam it live. Allow the nation's bloggers and amateur video enthusiasts to record the event too. Let the international press know about it. It'll be for the nation's good; one sure sign that your Papa-in-law is moving towards a more open government.

More importantly, discourse such as this will disprove dongengs, myths and wild accusations which hamper the progress of this fine nation, even threatening to frazzle the nerves of fragile and sensitive citizens. And if in the end, with fact and with rationality, it is proven that Tony has to apologise, then let's together make him do it.

But before that.... Say yes, KJ.