'The existing system needs to be flushed first. That is why Pakatan should be given a chance to govern and BN a chance to effect reforms.'

Najib not quite the Hulu conqueror

Jbss: As I have maintained from day one, 1Malaysia is just a slogan to hoodwink the uninitiated electorate for votes. Umno has not changed and will never change. It has not learned the lessons of the 2008 electoral tsunami and will never learn.

It continues to focus on ‘Ketuanan Melayu' and the privileges of being Umnoputras to cling on to power and plunder the wealth of the nation at will at the expense of the poor Malays and other Malaysians. Malaysians of all ethnic origins must be smart enough to wipe out this blood-sucking coalition dinosaur at the 13 ^th general election.

Clearwater : We appear to now have a two coalition party system but little by way of true political reform. Neither coalition, BN or Pakatan Rakyat, has done enough to convince me Malaysia's future is in good hands. A few good people on either side is not enough to tip the balance. There are just too many rotten apples.

The existing system needs to be flushed first. That is why Pakatan should be given a chance to govern and BN a chance to effect reforms. They can then keep each other honest through check and balance. The voters' job will be to keep both coalitions on their toes.

VP Biden: 1Malaysia (or is it One Israel?) is just a sloganeering campaign mooted by Najib. Real reforms need to be seen. Mikhail Gorbachev the last leader of the USSR-initiated glasnost (freedom of speech) and perestroika (restructuring).

The significance of Gorbachev's glasnost and perestroika was to expose the decades of corruption in the political, economic and social control created by Marx, Lenin and Stalin. This, in turn, gave Russians much more freedom in their daily lives and in the economic dealings.

It led to less censorship throughout the country and people were allowed to discuss politics like never before. Eventually, the significance of Gorbachev's plan would change the history of Russia and mold it into a freer capitalist and democratic society.

If by giving innuendos of his opponents is as good as he gets, we the Malaysian public can see Najib Razak is no statesman like Gorbachev who put his neck out for the betterment of his fellow countryman. Najib, where is your glasnost ?

Cala: Bridget Welsh has given us a comprehensive analysis on how Najib won (though not totally won) the Hulu Selangor ‘buy-election'. She misses a few points though.

First, she is correct to say 1Malaysia remains, up to this point a hollow slogan. On the ground, tactics used by BN did not reflect Najib's inclusive policy for all races. Second, Chinese abandonment of the BN has nothing to do with MCA's infighting. On the whole, Chinese voters are tired of racist Umno leaders, make worse by the appearance of Perkasa.

Third, Indian community in Hulu Selangor setting is a pathetic lot. When you have to struggle to put food on the table, you can not talk about lofty goals. This makes them easy prey to the BN intimidations. Fourth, Bridget does not mention about the purported wholesome movement of voters to other constituency as claimed by Zaid.

Fifth, Najib cannot talk about meaningful reformation without any commitment to restore the damaged institutions. Economic progress cannot take roots in voids.

Justgreat: Well, to win by 1,725 votes is nothing compared to the alleged RM100 million Najib-Umno-BN splashed into the campaign. Work the math out for yourself. He is toying with the rakyat's money, not his own, not Umno's and certainly not BN's. Why are we keeping quiet.

To use taxpayers' money for election purposes is wrong. What has MACC got to say? Why so quiet? We all know who is in cahoots with whom, don't we? So, Najib, don't pride yourself with this win just because you had wanted to win at any cost.

While your kind are still happily celebrating, the non-Malays are not so stupid to be hoodwinked by Umno/BN. What 1Malaysia? After one year of rhetoric and slogan chantings, roadshows and a big waste of public funds, the non-Malays especially have not seen any changes at all. So, someone was right when he said ‘Melayu mudah lupa'!

Doc: Here's a thought for trying to regain popular support to Umno/BN but it's rather radical and very difficult to implement. BN can try to revert to the principles that was put in place by the country's founding father Tunku Abdul Rahman.

Basically BN should rule with the people in mind, not Umno's interest first. Abandon its racist ideology and help all Malaysians equally. Get rid of corrupt politicians from their ranks. Think of improving the economy to benefit all. BN politician should strive for the betterment of Malaysia.

It should only have ministers who have high levels of morals, reasonably high IQ, approachable, down to earth and not corrupt. Then again this seems pretty impossible in BN.

Sherman Wong: Najib is attacked Anwar Ibrahim for an obvious and clear reason - with Anwar gone, Pakatan is finished. For argument sake, if Anwar should decide to quit politics today, Pakatan is history.

Henry Chan: By-elections are normally headed by the DPM. For Najib to 'take charge' of this by-election could also mean one other thing - that he distrusts his own deputy.