WHAT LA YOU NAVA...HEY DEY

very interesting article from somewhere.

Navaratnam more outspoken than Kit Siang. Ex-senior goverment official, Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam said in a statement, those who had protested against Thierry Rommel’s comments on the New Economic Policy (NEP) should substantiate it with valid data and statistics. Now he seems to be a more vociferous opponent of the NEP than Lim Kit Siang. Last time you supported the government, nowdays you attack back.

Bashir Ahmad
June 26, 2007
The head of European Commission delegation to Malaysia, Thierry Rommel met Foreign Ministry deputy secretary-general I Datuk Othman Hashim less than an hour in Putrajaya over his criticisms of the New Economic Policy (NEP) yesterday.
Rommel later told the Associated Press that he informed Othman that he had not meant to interfere in internal politics when he made a speech last week.
“We had a useful exchange of views for about 45 minutes. I was satisfied with the approach adopted. I think it went very well, and I hope the misunderstanding about my intention has been resolved.”
Rommel is alleged to have stated at a luncheon talk to ambassadors and foreign diplomats last Thursday that Malaysia should roll back its 37-year-old NEP.
Rommel said he had not meant to interfere in Malaysian affairs, but damage has been done whether his speech was delivered with intention or not. Let it be a lesson to other ambassadors.
Interestingly, The Star today reported that the Centre for Public Policy Studies (CPPS) chairman Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam said in a statement, those who had protested against Rommel’s comments should substantiate it with valid data and statistics.
He said that while Rommel’s statement did not follow proper diplomatic protocol, it was increasingly necessary for all Malaysians to carefully examine the criticism, besides professionally assessing the contents for its truth and relevant implications.
“The CPPS feels that it is imperative for Malaysia to constantly review its socio-economic policies to ensure they are effective in promoting real sustained socio-economic development for all Malaysians in the long run,” he said.
It is not surprising that Navaratnam came out with a statement to strongly support Rommel, because this ex-senior government official is a vociferous opponent of NEP since he retired from the civil service.
What surprise us is that he seems to be even more outspoken than traditional critics of NEP like Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang.
The Star also reported that Kit Siang called on the Government to get a full clarification from Rommel on his statements.
“The most sensible and productive response is to ask for full clarification from Rommel and to have a full debate in Parliament,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby.
Of course Kit Siang’s intention is clear. He wants the Rommel’s issue to be discussed in Parliament so that the opposition would have the opportunity to attack the government and NEP.