IS ZAHID A GOOD HOME MINISTER? Gambling kingpin gets access to state secrets but not the 'rakyat'

‘What was the government doing getting in bed with Phua?’

Slumdog: So now we have an alleged underworld and illegal gambling kingpin assisting the government on projects affecting the country’s national security.

Is the Umno-BN government so debased that its employs someone of such sullied character to work on sensitive national security matters? Whoever came up with this excuse or explanation must have s**t for brains.

How convenient for these projects to be classified "top secret" and therefore protected under the Official Secrets Act.

Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamid’s explanation is so implausible that one has to laugh. It is like an episode from the BBC comedy “Yes Minister”.

Gerard Lourdesamy: Apart from the appalling English used in the letter why should national security operations be called "projects" even if they are classified under the OSA?

Zahid Hamaidi

This is typical Umno phraseology. How have we as a nation and the police benefitted from having alleged underworld kingpin Paul Phua as an operative?

And what is Phua's alleged value to us now that his cover has been blown in Malaysia, United States, Hong Kong and San Marino?

Dont Just Talk: The problem with the Umno Baru minister is that when they are caught with their pants down, like Zahid, they would classify everything under the Official Secrets Act.

What is so secret about a junket-operator and illegal bookmaker business with the government that it is classified as ‘top secret’ (rasiah besar) and cannot be revealed to the public?

How are Malaysian voters going to trust a government when they are involved with illegal business operators?

The home minister is a liability to the country and should either step down voluntarily or be removed by Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Not Confused: Seriously, does Zahid really expect us to swallow this baloney? A multi-billionaire involved in helping the government on national security issues? Really?

Come on. Of course, under this government, almost anything can be hidden under the cloak of national security.

I don’t believe a word of it, and neither should you.

Mosquitobrain: It looks like Putrajaya is in a habit now to farm out work, including 'top secret' assignments, to outsiders.

What are all the government agencies doing then? Small wonder, the country is bleeding money.

And if such ‘secrets’ are made known to a third party (in this case, Paul Phua), are they still consider secret and be classified under OSA?

I'm lost for words. Malaysia Boleh!

Kit P: Indeed, what was the Malaysian government doing getting in bed with an alleged organised crime kingpin?

BernieBaby: It appears that the Federal Bureau Investigation (FBI) (read: US government) knows more about Phua than you do, Zahid.

The alleged kingpin has been exposed for what he is. What so secret about his work that we can't release to the public now?

Ericlcc: Usually if someone assists the government, it must be in the form of consultancy. So I wonder in this case where Phua is "consultant" to the BN government, how was he paid and how much?

I wonder if that is also under OSA. Or maybe in this peculiar case it’s the reverse, it's Puah who is "paying" the BN government for assisting in a very highly classified security matter.

Cantabrigian: Zahid, please resign. The rakyat have no longer have trust in you. Step down if you still have a shred of honour in your heart.

Dex: A gambling kingpin handling our national secrets. OMG (Oh my God), I weep for my beloved country.

Hmmmmmmmm: If indeed Phua was involved in our national security projects, it's high time we terminate his services. We can't have an international criminal working on our national security projects.

Not Convinced: But Zahid, in his letter to the FBI, said he wanted Phua to come home as his national security services are still required by the Malaysian government.

So for all we know, Phua is still helping us with our national security. Zahid, has his so-called ‘top secret’ services been terminated?

Real Truth: Since Phua has done yeomen service to nation, should we not make him an ambassador with full diplomatic status for him to continue to do his allegedly nefarious activity unimpeded.

Anonymous_1396929433: I told you, Phua is our 007, a Malaysian secret agent working under cover. As to gambling, what is the big deal? James Bond gambles too. - M'kini