VOXPOP 'If you are in the boxing ring, and you know that the referee is siding with your opponent - what do you do? Let the fight continue without any protest?'

Will 100,000 people show up for 901?

Unspin: It is always better to set lower expectations so that it is easier to exceed expectations. One of the reasons why it is difficult to achieve the 100,000 number at the Duta court rally on Monday is because most of us have already factored in the fact that Anwar Ibrahim would be found guilty next Monday.

In other words, the fire and spontaneity that normally sparks huge rallies is no longer there. Nevertheless, the same people who are resigned to the guilty verdict would know exactly where to put their ‘X' on their ballot paper in the next election.

Whether the turnout is 100,000 or 1,000 people is immaterial because a lot of hearts have hardened due to the regime's cruelty to Anwar and his family.

Bender: There is no way 100,000 will turn up, even without police roadblocks or intimidation. PKR deputy president Azmin Ali is being over optimistic.

The MSM (mainstream media) will have a field day over this, that I'm sure. Watch out for PM Najib Razak with ugly smirk on his face on TV3's Bulletin Utama at 8pm claiming victory over the rakyat, and perhaps others as well, like Ibrahim Ali, Mohd Ezam Nor and Zulkifli Nordin, taking cheap shots at Anwar and Pakatan.

As for the verdict, I'm sure no one's going to put a bet on this because Anwar is toast for sure. God help us all.

Kgen: I agree with Kee Thuan Chye that declaring a figure of 100,000 is unwise as it is quite unlikely that this number can be achieved. In fact, even 10,000 can be considered a success.

But we should note that Anwar's sodomy trail and his inevitable conviction is not about one man.

If the entire machinery of law enforcement, medical department, chemistry department and judiciary can be abused to mete injustice on one man, nobody else is safe from unfair conviction.

FellowMalaysian: Kee Thuan Chye has made a gallant effort in warning us about the retribution of the impending rally should it fail to mobilise the targeted 100,000 participants.

This is a target which Azmin and the PKR organisers hope and intent to achieve; not so much as an expectation but more so as a figure they are hoping to attract. It is relevant that a figure is announced in order for the organisers to gather their effort and to strive to achieve this figure.

Fair Play: I think Azmin is applying psychological warfare techniques. By declaring 100,000 would turn up for the event, Umno will have to take notice. The number is not important as the effect it would cause.

The fact that the IGP (inspector-general of police) directed KL police to meet the marchers is a measure of success. Whatever the outcome, the powers-that-be have learned a lesson by not fighting might with greater might.

Onyourtoes: Kee Thuan Chye, I have great respect for your views and as a writer, but in this occasion, I have to disagree with you. Anwar represents many things not right in this country, so the question of focus does not arise.

It is not about Anwar going to jail; it is the malaise confronting this country. That is why so many Malaysians do not even bother to know the truth or otherwise of Anwar's ‘crime'. Can you see people are willing to accept a lesser evil to get rid of the bigger one?

In what way would Anwar look better by abiding to the court decision gracefully when even a nincompoop knows that the whole judicial process is nothing more than a farce?

Politics is about perception and posturing. It is okay when less than 100,000 people turn up. I think most people would understand and it may even create a guilty feeling in their mind if they have remained indoor on that day.

Ferdtan: One point that I disagree with Kee Thuan Chye is when he said Pakatan should let the court takes its course and not to respond to the verdict by not calling for support from the rakyat to be present on Jan 9.

Previously, that had been the case - we let the government (include the judiciary) run us down as though we are inconsequential. They have a different set of rules. We follow the law and they get exemption from it.

A tipping point has to start somewhere - where we can say 'enough is enough'. The rot ends here. If you are in the boxing ring, and you know that the referee and the judges are siding with your opponent, what do you do? Let the process continue without any kind of protest?

Or the writer preferred to let the victim to be gracious so he can look good to the public? Like any abused child, you have to start to say ‘No'.

Umno veterans aim to shed DAP's 'chauvinist image'

Anonymous_40a7: I always have the highest respect for Mohd Ariff Sabri (blogger Sakmongkol AK47) due to his insightful articles.

He is not the ‘extremist' type of person like most of his ex-Umno colleagues, and dares to speak the truth even if it damages the reputation of his former party.

Mohd Ariff, I wish you all the best in your effort to help shred DAP's ‘Chinese chauvinist' image implanted by your former party.

Popeye: I laud these two individuals - Mohd Ariff and Aspan Alias. Malaysia is a basket case in nation building. It has not only led Malays to be more Malay, it has also led Chinese to be more Chinese.

To the comment on DAP being Chinese, it is only symptomatic of the general malaise and a mirror image of the Malay condition. One example of leadership is in how Singapore closed down their only Chinese-language university in 1980 for pragmatic reasons.

It would be unheard of in the current climate in Malaysia for no other reason than the fact that the Malay leadership has created a communal and sectarian agenda for Malaysia which Chinese are reacting to.

But this does not mean we should not try to opt out. Thank you for your good intentions and plural approach, Mohd Ariff and Aspan Alias.

Blind Freddo: There is a very sound reason why there are so few Malays in the DAP and it has nothing to do with race or chauvinism. It's because members of DAP understand democracy and can see the benefits of that philosophy.

There is nothing that an ex-Umno leader can do to change that situation until Malays start thinking for themselves.

Anonymous: Do what you need to do, Umno. In the end, the Malays still vote for Pakatan Rakyat because they know which one actually works hard and which one only barks at other races.

It's time for us to unite as one country and not keep barking at other races. There's a bigger world out there.

Swkdayaks: I salute these two Umno veterans. You are the light of our nation to stop the darkness cast upon our beloved country by the greedy, arrogant and power crazy Umno-BN.

The Malays, Dayaks, Kadazans and all races in Malaysia would not lose our rights as already enshrined in our Federal Constitution if and when there is a change of government, i.e after Umno-BN has been kicked into the dustbin of history.

The Agong, the sultans and PM will still be Malay in the new government.

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