'The government has successfully developed so many rent-seekers in our society, and they are coming back to haunt BN.'

Straight fight: 2nd independent pulls out

Nik V: My suspicion is Johan Mohd Diah has been 'talked' to by Umno-Perkasa to pull out "or else", because his presence may take a few Malay votes, which in turn could be devastating if the count comes down to the last man if the majority of the Indians and Chinese vote for Khalid Ibrahim.

Yuvan: It is not only politicians who are willing to pawn their loyalty and allegiance and cross over to other political parties for some really stupid reasons, making a real mockery of themselves.

Politicians who declare themselves as independent candidates in an election and then withdraw from the race for whatever ridiculous reasons are nothing but plain gimmicks and deserve to be disgraced by the voters. Malaysia is surely heading for a record of sorts and could soon claim to be "the country with the highest number of uncouth and clownish politicians" in the region.

SMC77: Congratulation to BN. The government has successfully developed so many rent-seekers in our society, and they are coming back to haunt BN.

Loyal Malaysian: It matters not! These two independents are insignifican others. Zaid vs P Kamalanathan was and still is the focus.

Khir gives thumbs up to 'Zaid and booze' strategy

Avatar: Gandhi said, "An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind."

I know Anwar Ibrahim and PKR will not go down to this level to fight this abusive campaign, but I remember Anwar throwing out a warning to PM Najib Abdul Razak about some Port Dickson incident during the Permatang Pauh election, and Najib finally toned down.

Confused: Politics is Malaysia is so immature. The ceramahs have always been skewed towards assassinating the character of opponents rather than what can be done for the constituency. It is all about 'why should you not vote him' rather than 'why you should vote for me'.

Kgen: Is consuming alcohol worse than stealing millions in public funds? What has BN got to say about Chua Soi Lek's shenanigans on DVD? Let's give some credit to the intelligence of the voters. I'm sure they will reject BN's personal attacks as the manifestation of a bankrupt regime.

Zaid has nothing to worry about the vicious personal attacks. In fact I expect it to backfire on BN. Remember just before the 2008 general elections when BN orchestrated a vicious attack on Anwar Ibrahim's character using Chandra Muzaffar and KS Nallakarupan?

It backfired and led to a Malay swing to Anwar. The Malays do not like personal attacks, more so if done by a turncoat. Umno does not understand the Malay mind; money and arrogance have blinded them to their culture.

SusahKes: Another good strategy would be to show your mansion to the voters. I think it'll be a grand idea if Mohd Khir Toyo can offer sightseeing tours for the Hulu Selangor folks so that they know how their taxes have been used by Umno.

Ichigo: Character assassination is always a double-edge sword. It may backfires on BN especially the subject is on moral high ground. Wait for the BN's Pandora box to open and surely it will stinks to high heaven.

Multi Racial: To Khir Toyo and his Umno colleagues, Hulu Selangor voters are bunch of idiots who cannot differentiate between right and wrong. To them, Hulu Selangor people will forgive those who have corrupted and stolen the nation's wealth for themselves but will not tolerate those who drink alcohol. To them Hulu Selangor voters cannot differentiate between those who spread lies and those who telling the truth.

Whatever those BN representatives said (and done) should be documented and taped so that we can use (the materials) against them when the time is right.

EC told to remove 'provocative' BN billboards

Dood: It's funny that Umno/BN/Perkasa should have billboards that say " pengkhianat negara " (traitors to the nation). As far as many of us right-thinking Malaysians are concerned, the real traitors to the country and to Malaysians race are Umno/BN/Perkasa and their lackeys.

Dr Mahendran Markandoo: Take photographs of such provocative messages if the case is brought to court.

Ng Tze Yeng: What's wrong or provocative about saying Anwar Ibrahim is a traitor to the nation'? It's a matter of opinion, and a fair political comment - whether or not one agrees with it.

Nicholas: If PKR had put up a similar banner calling PM Najib Abdul Razak a "traitor to the nation", the Election Commission would not have hesitated to tear it down immediately, police reports would be lodged against PKR and the very efficient (in some cases only) Selangor police chief would immediately issue detention orders and the interrogations of PKR members responsible for putting up the billboard.

As you see Ng Tze Yen, it is only fair political comment if the PDRM (police) agrees that it is fair political comment.

Kama Mustaffa: Who are the "pengkhianat"? Who sold the Johor land to Singaporeans? Who sold Pulau Batu Putih? Who gave RM77 millions to Apco?

Khairy: Remove offensive campaign items

Phra Ong Chao: Personal attacks is indeed BN's modus operandi. It is the rule rather than the exception for BN. Khairy Jamaluddin himself has been at the receiving end of such lowly and tasteless attacks.

ONG: Khairy Jamaluddin is not being an angel and neither is he trying to be nice. And he sure is not being a better person than the rest of Umno. It's just that he knows many Umno leaders drink, fornicate cheat and steal.

Chipmunk: KJ, foe once I salute you for making that stand despite representing Umno. You should continue making neutral statements like this. Then maybe when the time is right, you could join Pakatan Rakyat in fighting for the real reason... the rakyat.

Phra Ong Chao: Well, Khairy, you claimed wrong. I'm sure you already know this, but personal attacks is indeed the BN's modus operandi. BN invented personal attacks in this country. It is the rule rather than the exception for BN. You yourself have been at the receiving end of such lowly and tasteless attacks.

Maggie Lim: Of late, Khairy seems to be a better person than the rest of Umno.

T he above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only Malaysiakini subscribers can post comments. Over the past six months, Malaysiakinians have posted 50,000 comments. Be part of the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now .