vox populi small thumbnail 'Ong Ka Ting was a pretty unexceptional MCA leader who just toed the line and 'kowtow' to Umno as required. Whoever takes over doesn't matter, the Chinese have already discounted MCA.'

Cala: Lim Ah Lek argues that he is disappointed with OTK (Ong Tee Keat) and CSL (Chua Soi Lek) as both refused to accept the decision taken at the Oct 10 emergency general meeting (EGM). But this party veteran does not give Ka Ting a "do as you please blank cheque" by appealing the latter to join in the fray.

Two assignments are entrusted to Ka Ting: i) restore democracy and ii) to restore the rule of law within the party. I must say I am impressed with Lim. He is as alert as ever. What are his readings of MCA in the recent intra-party infighting?

He makes clear his contempt that democracy is dead under OTK; and that rule by men existed under OTK. If at all these are the concern of Lim, I have third assignment for Ka Ting: can he please review the institution of MCA president? Remember: power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Cliew: Looking from an objective point of view, I think Lim is correct. Tee Keat, Soi Lek and Tiong Lai have obviously shown that their own selfish interest supersedes the party's. At least, Ka Ting did what he promised to do. He accepted responsibility and did not seek re-election and a ministerial post.

Even Pak Lah didn't do it and had to be dragged out of office. Of course, we should not even talk about that S Samy Vellu. Further, Ka Ting amended the MCA constitution to limit the term of the MCA presidency, which no other political party has done, including those from the Pakatan.

Personally, I want to see a strong MCA and BN too in order to have an effective two-party system as check and balance on the other, just like the Conservatives and Labour in England and the Republicans and Democrats in the States.

Cks: Cliew, think again. A strong MCA with Ong Ka Ting? Was MCA strong when Ka Ting was president? He worked like his old boss-mentor, treading every step ever so carefully to avoid annoying his Umno masters. When Chinese rights were encroached, they negotiated and compromised all behind closed doors.

Ling Liong Sik and Ong Ka Ting are best at it. And if Chan Kong Choy was indeed involved in the PKFZ (Port Klang Free Zone) fiasco, one should ask: who was his boss then?

Kgen: Ong Ka Ting was a pretty unexceptional MCA leader who just toed the line and ‘kowtow' to Umno as required. Whoever takes over doesn't matter, the Chinese have already discounted MCA. There is nothing left to save in MCA.

Ferdtan: Lim Ah Lek, a reluctant politician making a comeback? Guess you must have missed the excitement of the past. Just retire and enjoy your life.The water in MCA is just too dirty and muddy. You wouldn't want to be dragged into its murky pool.

Tan Che Wee: It does not make sense at all. Why recall Ka Ting? He has retired. Let the present leaders go for the March 28 elections. Lim, you have had your time.

Confirmed: Tee Keat to defend MCA chief's post

Tanteo: Way to go, Ong Tee Keat! Salvage whatever pride MCA has left. Expose PKFZ and all the unseen hands behind it. Show some guts. Stand up to the master race. Don't be like your comrades past and present. At least go down fighting. You have earned my respect.

Loyal Malaysian: I salute you, Mr OTK. I'm no accredited analyst but one does not has to be that to know that you are out of favour of MCA's political masters. Yet, you have decided to give the Umnoputras' running dogs a run for their money.

Liew: What has OTK actually done during his short stint as MCA president, other than dividing the party and sacking everybody? Please don't talk to us about PKFZ. If not for the opposition exposing the scandal, Tee Keat is now probably still enjoying the free flights from Tiong (King Sing).

If he is really a hero, then go after the real culprits and not ordinary Chinese subordinates like a general manager, architect or an engineer! By reneging on his many promises, to me he is by far the most dishonest politician!

I'll not bow to pressure to quit: Zahrain

Inspector Closseau: MP for Bayan Baru Mohd Zahrain Hashim, let us tell you - you won on a PKR ticket. We, the majority Bayan Baru voters, voted for PKR and for Anwar Ibrahim to initiate change for the betterment of Malaysia. As such, you should vacate your seat, as we the majority of voters, don't recognise you as our Bayan Baru MP. Is that clear to you, Mr MP?

Tan Kian Khim: You have no rights to the seat at all, Zahrain Hashim. The people of Bayan Baru voted for a representative of PKR and Pakatan Rakyat, not Zahrain Hashim the individual.

You left PKR because of dissatisfaction that you could not manipulate the golf club tender to your own favour. The moment you tried to manipulate the open tender, you betrayed the mandate given to you by the people who desired cleaner and better governance than they had been getting from Umno-BN.

Kindly step down immediately and return the mandate to the people. When the by-election is held, you will know that your assertion holds water about as well as a torn sieve.

But you cannot resign, can you? Just like the other frogs, you are bound by your devil's agreement with Umno to remain as a so-called 'independent'. The people's eyes see all, Zahrain.

Syed Imran Syed Ahmad: It is expected of a one-term MP like Zahrain. He can try his luck when the 13th general election (GE) is held, and he will know whether he is wanted by the people of Bayan Baru or be kicked out.

I can assure him that he will be back in the wilderness as he was before the 12th GE.

Gov't puts off debate on GST bill

Keturunan Malaysia: Dear Minister, the schools that we came from taught us to look before we leap, especially on things that may bring problems and hardships to the ordinary people who put and pay you to be there to prevent the same in the first place. Now, why must you have decided to leap without looking first?

Doc: Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah, from the rakyat's point of view, who in the right mind (except Umno fellows maybe) would be happy to be taxed on everything they purchase right down to their underwear?

JKK: Do it right the first time. Do not burden the rakyat who have been the ‘givers' for a long time. This is not the time to take ‘some more'. It's time to give back.

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