The just concluded three by-elections continue to reel in unending credos, feedback and honest sharing via the on-line media. Meanwhile, the off-line media including the traditional TV and radio and mainstream newspapers are self-regulated into playing blind to the harsh realities on the ground.

It is conclusive that when public opinion is crystallized at the ballot box, it speaks volumes about the opinions and attitudes among the rakyat.

Likewise, when leaders play deaf to the loud resonance of ground sentiments, it can only be to the ultimate demise of such leaders.

Bernard Hennessy (1981) says: ‘Public opinion is the complex of preferences expressed by a significant number of persons on an issue of general importance’.

And public opinion expressed through the ballot box clearly expresses 'beliefs based on perceptions or evaluations of events, persons, institutions - (and) not necessarily facts' (Newsom D, et al, 2000).

And if the truth still cannot sink in with our leaders and political wanna-bees, remember what the nineteenth century essayist Charles Dudley Warner said: ‘Public opinion is stronger than the legislature and nearly as strong as the Ten Commandments’.

Hence, it is not even about wanting to change in order to rein in public opinion in your favour. The reality is, political public opinion does not form overnight. It was brewing for a longer period and ultimately precipitated at the ballot box.

And if the politicians continue to disregard public opinion and worse, discredit and shame public attitude through highhanded threats, scare tactics and all sorts of fear-infused preaching, it will only lead to having to pay an even higher prices for such folly.

Ignore public opinion at your own peril for eventually it will lead to your ultimate demise as your prize for ignorance, arrogance, self-denial and desperation.

It is time that politicians learned their lessons fast. The age-old 'propaganda' strategies will not work in this new age of renewed and increasing demand for voters' right to know and the liberating freedom of the on-line media's ability to fulfill its duty to inform.

Today, party success or power is not admired. The personal history of leaders is the yardstick for political success. This the politicians must learn in equal measure.

Today, too, preferential or race rights is not the priority of the voters. Justice, honour and virtuous ethics are the treasured motivation.

The future - the not too distant 13^th general election, will bring to bear how far the Malaysian voter has progressed with his/her ability to think critically.

It will affirmatively seal the harsh truth that public opinion is not something that you can sway overnight.

On the contrary, your past track record too, has everything to do with public perceptions. And any amount of counter-alleging is not going to erase or change perceptions. It does just the opposite - crystallise perceptions that prove to be not in your favour.

The sooner the powers-that-be can come to terms with the changing realities, the better for Malaysia and all Malaysians. For public opinion and attitudes are here to stay.