'The issue is even dividing PAS and this is in line with Umno's ploy. The issue seems to be part of Umno's political strategy in readiness for the next general election.'

PM tells Muslims not to 'heat up' Allah issue

Hibiscus: The controversy regarding use of term ‘Allah' by non-Muslims was started by Umno leaders using the Home Ministry. It is a recent invention to create the feeling among Muslims that they need Umno‘s protection. Statements by Umno leaders seem to be prompting Muslim voters to feel confused and threatened. The issue is even dividing PAS and this is in line with Umno's ploy.

The issue seems to be part of Umno's political strategy in readiness for the next general election. Umno is playing for high stakes - it is prepared to lose the votes of the non-Muslims and of other BN component parties and also to lose all their seats in constituencies where non-Muslims form the majority. All this in exchange for the Muslim vote.

That the other component parties of BN are strangely quiet attest to their agreement to Umno's plan. The strategy is to regain power, like in Perak, where Umno predominates on the government side in the state assembly while members of the other component parties are given minor posts. Umno is risking the well-being of country for its political plans.

Jlow: I can understand and emphatise with the outcry by those who felt that the Dutch cartoonist had insulted Islam and Prophet Muhammad, but to claim that others cannot use the word ‘Allah' because it is exclusive to Islam is beyond me, especially when it is used in the confines of religious education and not to mock, insult or any other malicious intent. Our level of understanding, communication and wisdom has a long way to go.

Ong Twee Kwan: I am not a Bible-carrying Christian, but I believe that Christians should try to use another word to portray the ‘one God' or the ‘only God'. This would not be a show of weakness but would instead demonstrate tolerance, sensitivity, understanding, broad-mindedness and, especially, the evolution of the Christian people.

We are in 2010 AD. Our blood is no redder nor bluer than that of our neighbours, irrespective of our race, colour of skin or religion..We should live as one, as children of the world.

Kris: The Allah issue is a godsend for Umno. By playing up and perpetuating the issue, it hopes to polarise the people and show to the majority Malay population that it is their champion and protector and hence worthy of its support.

Once in power, they can happily continue plundering the country by siphoning off billions of ringgit from negotiated contracts and purchases of unnecessary armaments and other procurements at highly inflated prices.

BN's highly corrupted leadership and misrule has caused this richly endowed country to lag far behind its former peers in almost every field. Malaysia's only hope for a better future is that the majority Malay population is smart enough to see through Umno's tactics and votes for change in the next elections.

Dood: How does one have faith that the government will resolve the "problem" when in the first place it was the one who started the problem in the first place and created something out of nothing? Have they forgotten that it was the Home Ministry that tried to make Allah exclusive to Islam, ignoring historical and religious facts?

'Allah' controversy: PAS MP vs PKR MP

Singa Pura Pura: Zulkifli Noordin, why art thou so stressed out again? Why are you, in the name of God, seeking political exclusivity and jurisdiction over the name of God? If, this evening, I address you as ‘Dik Zul' and tonight, your wife addresses you as ‘Bang Zul', I have no doubt that neither your wife nor I will be confused or scandalised, as we both know you to be the one and only Zulkifli Noordin.

It's all politics and fanaticism, isn't it, Zul? Sit down, think about it. Be calm. It lowers the blood pressure.

Nusrat Isa: The status quo must continue. Indigenous Christian tribes in Sabah and Sarawak may continue to use ‘Allah' but the ‘Herald' must not be allowed to manipulate 'Allah' in a stealthy attempt to proselytise and blur the distinction between the ‘Trinity' and ‘Oneness'.

Non- religious people should just zip their mouths. When have you ever said 'Oh, Allah', anyway?

Bank Negara warns of illegal currency trading scheme

Multi Racial: I think Bank Negara is still very much behind times. In this time and era, many foreign brokers offer online services through the Internet. Orders entered are routed directly and there is no human intervention. This is very similar to most of the major stock exchanges in the world, including Bursa KL.

It is deemed that the orders entered are through licensed brokers though there is no human intervention. This is because modern brokers use technology to do the verification. So please Bank Negara, can you move on and update your rules to embrace technology?

Makkal Sakti president to be booted out

Same-Same: Well, it's only the start of a new year and these jokers are already at it. Malaysia Makkal Sakti Party (MMSP), you people have lost the plot. Kindly do not confuse us Indians any more. MIC is lost, MMSP is also. Now the whole Indian community will also be lost.

SusahKes: Malaysia Makkal Sakti Party is irrelevant. I am sure that after you boot out your president RS Thanentiran, you will start another round of in-fighting among yourselves. For as long as you pander to Umno, you will remain its carbon copy.

As for Thanentiran, I'm guessing that he will no longer be of use to Umno and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak. I doubt we'll ever see any more photos of the two of them together.

Sekigahara No Tatakai: Oh, no. Our fresh-from-the-oven MMSP president was just bragging that he is aiming to recruit 300,000 new members by end of this year. His call is still lingering in my ears, and now you all want to boot him out?

I think he made a mistake. He should have told the crowd that he can recruit three million new members so that you can have more confidence in him.

Take on Pairin in next polls, Ongkili tells DAP

Disgusted: Now that a challenge has been thrown, Umno will start padding the Keningau parliamentary constituency with ‘citizens' to save their stooge Pairin. If the people of Keningau are concerned with Sabah and want to save it from destruction, they should reject this traitor.

Sabahans, show the rest of Malaysia the way by throwing off the shackles of Barisan Nasional's colonisation.

Richard F Sindra: There must be a reason why Sabah Deputy Chief Mnister Joseph Pairin Kitingan has been reappointed again and again, either as a assembly person or a minister. Maybe it's because of his influence. Maybe it's because of his capability to serve the rakyat.

The main thing is this - he was chosen by the people who still believe in him. He serves the rakyat and the people are satisfied with his ability to serve and to lead.

Erica: When people trust and have faith in you, they will always support you no matter what situation you are in. We will see the results in the next election.