'DAP, and for that matter Pakatan Rakyat as a whole, cannot hope to compete with BN's financial strength.'
Xtcher: It good to see DAP realises that they have to change their election strategy instead of competing head on with BN with gifts to the voters. DAP, and for that matter Pakatan Rakyat as a whole, cannot hope to compete with BN's financial strength.
But they have time between elections to educate the voters on the long-term benefits against the short-term gains and to enlarge their support base so that the spark of their ideal will turn into a firestorm when election time comes around.
In the meantime, they must show and provide a standard of service unmatched by the BN to the electorate to win over their confidence. It has to be this kind of slow and long-term investment if DAP or Pakatan ever hopes to win in any election.
Myop101: The more rural the area is, the more likely it will remain as it is as it will threaten the incumbent politician's position. All these politicians could sell is ‘development' (specifically those which money can buy and not those built through principles and ideas that all human beings are created equal).
Year in and out, development will not reach those who truly needs it, in particular the rural folks. Clean water is a basic right all of us should have access to. What about clothing, shelter and food?
I am sadden that the rakyat have to still worry about basic necessities instead of things like building impartial and fair democratic institutions for the next phase of progress.
WandererAUS: It is encouraging that DAP is prepared to venture further inside the long houses with personal touches and new ideas to improve the local natives well-being.
Thus trying to capture the Sibu seat on merits rather than a buy-election, which is the only way BN knows how to win elections. It is time for change where elections must, and should be, won by merits. Only then, candidates of quality will be elected.
Sultan's lawyers file habeas corpus application
Raja Chulan: I sincerely hope that all Malaysian (from the very top on the ladder to the very bottom) now understands what individual freedom means. I hope there will be no party now supporting such laws as ISA for this country.
I also pray that the sultan recovers to tell us the true hardship he had undergone and take some small steps within his means and powers to ensure others are not denied of their individual freedom too.
Amaso: The five respondents named in the suit are actually "protecting" the sultan from harm, harassment and threats - just like prior to last general elections, a Chinese daily journalist was "arrested" at her Bukit Mertajam home one night and then taken to Bukit Aman the same night.
Then home minister Syed Hamid Omar said the police did that to protect her from harm, harrassment and threats. Syed Hamid was the laughing stock of the world.
Kgen: Does anybody think the Kelantan police can act in this manner to the sultan and sultanah without the connivance of Umno? This has Umno's fingerprints all over it.
Where is their respect for royalty which they are so proud to scream during the Perak power grab? Apparently, respect for royalty is only when it suits them.
All the president's men for The Star
Loyal Malaysian: Until The Star shows it is willing to take on the role of the people's paper again in the real sense of the term as it did in the early years, I shall not place too much hope on these changes.
Dato' Kok Wee Kiat: Tan Sri Yong Poh Kon, if appointed to run The Star , will be a great credit and asset to the publication. His objective and insightful contribution to the MCA think-tank in the 80s was invaluable. I should know; I worked with him closely as the chair of the MCA think-tank at that time.
Cala: To my mind, CSL (Chua Soi Lek) is a lot more humane and people-oriented than his predecessor. As he has once said he hoped to see a de-politicised Star . But to show it in deed is quite a different thing. No one can fault him to remove those political appointees in the Star and in 988 radio station, but to leave others intact is a must.
Given the less than favourable perception of the people towards the BN, and hence the Star (as a party mouthpiece for MCA), its prospect is worrying. One thing is for sure: its earlier years' lustre is nowhere to be found. This is something for the new management of the Star to think about.
Teen shooting: Panel finds 'inconsistencies'
Joker: Inconsistencies? Understatement of the century. The victim's friend, the driver of the grazed car, the motorcyclists, the house owner where the car crashed, the neighbours and just common sense, all pointed to one story which makes sense.
Compare to the police's story. The police was unable to properly chase and overtake an Iswara driven by a kid without licence that they have to shoot (14 casings found but police said they only shot four times) the tire, shoot the car and shoot the driver. They killed the driver because the driver was reversing the car to hit the police.
After they shot and killed the driver, the car somehow stopped reversing and moved forward until it crashed. Then they kick and stomp on the survivor.
Finally, they say they found a ‘parang' in the car boot. The owner of the car is a young Malay lady who lives in an upscale neighbourhood. The ‘parang' was never seen again.
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