'Once again, Wan Ahmad has revealed just how little he understands the concept of the EC as an independent election watchdog.'
EC deputy chief defends media election coverage
EFF: If the presence of the Election Commission is not to ensure a level-playing field, then what do we need an EC for? Saying that the opposition has the ‘new media' to work with is misleading, to say the least.
Print media has a much wider circulation and it doesn't bank on people having access to the Internet. Similarly with TV broadcasts. With the online media, immediately an entire subsection of the population is at a disadvantage simply because they have no access to this medium.
How is it then fair that one party gets to control overall public perception through the mass media that they have full authority over because they own them?
Once again, EC deputy chief Wan Ahmad Wan Omar has revealed just how little he understands the concept of the EC as an independent election watchdog. This is very disturbing.
Disbeliever: The EC has to be a ‘yes man' to the government. How can a dog bite the hand that feeds it? As long as the EC comes under the jurisdiction of the government there can never be total neutrality.
To be seen to be transparent, the EC should allow international observers to watch the goings-on during the 13th GE. This I'm sure will give credibility to the EC. But I'm sceptical that it will accept this proposal.
Kgen: Now we have proof of phantom voters, clone voters, foreign voters and permanent resident voters, what has Wan Ahmad got to say? Still denying through his teeth that the election is free and fair when the rolls are so dirty?
The more he denies, the more he makes a fool of himself.
Bersih's impact in rural areas 'not significant'
Ramachandran Muniandy: Whether Bersih will impact the rural areas is immaterial. Take Makkal Sakthi, no rural Indians were interested. The youngsters who attended the rally were not from rural areas.
But come the GE, the youngsters go home to kampungs, estates and new villages and influence their parents. Nowadays, the youngsters hold the key to victory and most of them are city dwellers.
Michael Angelo: The shift in any significant terms is not in the rural areas, but in the urban middle class. While the Malay votes may remain in the status quo, for sure the neutral urban votes have tilted towards Pakatan Rakyat. This is where BN will pay the price.
Werewolves: As long as Felda's settlers and East Malaysian bumiputeras continue to vote for BN, there is no chance Pakatan will topple BN.
Also remember some Indian votes have also swung back to BN, they are no longer solidly backing Pakatan as in GE12. About 60 seats are what Pakatan can seriously hope to win.
Malaysiasakit: This is a case of paralysis through analysis. How do you analyse the impact of town residents spreading their influence on rural folks?
Just because the rural folks have no access to alternative media, can you assume their relatives in towns and cities will not enlighten them?
Anwar can attend interviews, court rules
Danny Lazaroo: I think that this is a fair ruling. An accused individual should have the right to face their accuser, and that includes witnesses who are involved in that accusation.
The only time I can think of when this would be inappropriate is if a traumatised victim is forced to be cross-examined or made to confront the individual that traumatised them, which may result in further trauma and undue distress, such as in rape cases.
The context here is totally different though - it is about Anwar being able to sit face-to-face with the police officers involved.
By arguing their case, the prosecution clearly demonstrates that their aim is not for the pursuit of justice, but to go to any length and means to secure a conviction - even at the expense of perverting the course of justice.
Anonymous: They were the top cops in the country who have been interviewing and taking statements of suspects throughout their career. They are now on the other end of the stick. What is their problem?
Just answering and telling the truth will shame the devil. If DSAI (Anwar) is the ‘devil', look him in the eye and tell him off. Why should these two top police officers be scared of him?
Naaah!: The missing witnesses from the list - Najib Razak, Rosmah Mansor and Musa Hassan - are the key persons to the political conspiracy. Without them, the defence interviews are meaningless. Why does the prosecutor protect the trio?
Make up your mind, Asri tells Jais
People Power: As a Muslim, I fully agree with ex-Perlis mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin. As Muslims, we are really lost on what we can or cannot do. If we visit churches, we are suspected of being influenced by the Christianity. When non-Muslims visit mosques, it's discouraged.
If I'm found in the home of a non-Muslim who has studied Islam, and if we are found with notes or quizzes on the religion by the authorities, I would be in trouble and so will be my non-Muslim friend.
I would be called by the Islamic authorities to answer charges of being ‘influenced' and my non-Muslim friend would be charged for proselytising.
Can the religious authorities tell us what to do? It looks like they are out to stop us from befriending or mixing with non-Muslims.
And it looks like there's more racial polarisation is to come. How come Muslims in other countries do not face this issue? Are we ‘better Muslims' compared to them?
AnonymousBersih: I have visited churches, mosques and temples (Hindu and Buddhist) but I still hold to my own religious beliefs.
Come on, we are adults and have our own minds. Visiting places of worship or listening to songs or prayers would not 'convert' you suddenly.
If this is so, then we should 'preach' or sing religious songs to criminals in jails so that all them will be converted, and the world will be a better place for everyone.
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