Malaysians have more freedom now, says Musa Hitam

A Malaysian leadership where freedom prevails. Both in speech and in expression.
In a gist, this is how former deputy prime minister Tun Musa Hitam described the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Malaysians are now enjoying more freedom of expression and speech, he said, compared to the time during the rule of Abdullah’s predecessor.
Musa said that nowadays, the media could even expose the mistakes and fallacies committed by the government in their stories.
“These (stories) include those by Utusan (Melayu (M) Bhd), known as a pro-government newspaper. Even though Utusan’s views might still support the government, it (stories) is still an exposure.
“The freedom given by the government is mostly enjoyed by us, the middle-class. Nowadays, we can even have demonstrations without permits...(and) the people have less to fear.
“This was never known (to be) during the leadership tenure of my best friend,” noted an impish Musa at the Universiti Malaya Alumni Day 2008 Malaysian Development Vision Forum today.
While it was true the authorities had used water-cannons and tear gas cannisters to disperse illegally-assembled crowds, he said even other developed nations used such tactics on illegal demonstrators.
On blogging by detractors and the opposition, Musa welcomed it as a form of digital democracy as it allowed them to vent their spleen, without going to the streets and causing harm or public disturbances.
“However, I must remind the middle-class to be more rational and less emotional about certain issues, and take a more balanced perspective.
“As the middle-class, we should not be reactive to issues but be more proactive by studying, listening, being open-minded and researching,” he said, adding that the people should mingle with one another to achieve greater understanding.
Meanwhile, Musa reminded the Malays to stop having an inferiority complex, and the non-Malays to stop encouraging the Malays to develop an inferiority complex.

tunku : what musa hitam trying to say is that malaysia is a true freedom country under pak lah compare to the leadership under Tun Mahathir ( election talk ).under Dr M people are charged under ISA, no freedom, no street protest but under pak lah, no one is charged under ISA,people can protest whatever, whenever and wherever they want.the media too gives equal chance to everyone to voice their views.it is so good under the current leadership........... am i dreaming or this musang hitam is insane?