‘Another four years is a very long time. I believe Malaysians are ready to support Anwar. His ambition to be PM by September is I believe a desire of most Malaysians as well.'

On Anwar slammed over 'back door' bid for Putrajaya

Ahmad Kamal: Dr Chandra's concerns are valid. As a matter of principle, resignations and crossing-overs are not democratic. If we would now thwart the ideals to democracy, who knows where this might lead to.

As much as I cringe at these political strategies by Anwar and PKR with support of the opposition partners, I must say that there is no time like the present. Abdullah Badawi and his team are not the leaders Malaysia wants.

If they are there today, comfortable in their parliamentary seats, we can safely surmise that the rigged elections would have something to do with it.

And since 1998, ordinary citizens and scholars have exposed the partisan Election Commission, a rotting judiciary, an undisciplined police force, rising prices and inflation.

Another four years is a very long time. I believe Malaysians are ready to support Anwar. His ambition to be prime minister by September is I believe a desire of most Malaysians as well.

Times like these call upon us to rethink our priorities. Of course, if the inevitable happens and Anwar becomes the PM for all Malaysians, we must see to it, that we check ourselves and those who are entrusted to look after the nation's affairs.

Check them from straying from our democratic ideals or even restore them at the shortest time possible. These are revolutionary times, Chandra!

May God Bless Anwar:

I have an emotion I find difficult to explain. I dislike Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Najib to the deepest core - that's easy to explain.

But I find I have a much deeper dislike for Ezam and Chandra Muzaffar.

Lim Leong:

I beg to differ with Chandra Muzaffar on his assertion that Anwar is being unethical and undemocratic in trying to seize power through the back door. Let's deal with the question of ethics and democracy in the context of March general election with the following facts:

1. Hardly any little air time had been given to the opposition parties in all mainstream media. In the mainstream media, almost every single piece of news had cast BN in good light and the opposition in bad light.

2. Indelible ink was to be used but its use was cancelled at the very last minute with no sound reasoning. It was subsequently revealed that cabinet had a hand in the decision to cancel the use of the indelible ink.

3. Pak Lah had already said the Anwar is ‘irrelevant' and yet in the last days of campaigning, suddenly there were a whole host of so0called intellectuals who came out and said ‘it will be unmitigated disaster if Anwar became the PM' and singing the praises of BN. These were splashed out in all mainstream media.

4. There were so many election bribes being promised if BN were re-elected and veiled threats that federal funding will be cut if vote did not go to the BN side.

5. Anwar was eligible to contest in April and yet the GE date was deliberately set to be in March.

My fellow Malaysians, do you think the BN government was being ethical and democratic with the last election campaign?

In fact, there is ample evidence that the government deliberately misled the people through absolute control of the mainstream media.

While I do not condone fighting fire with fire, sometimes it might be the only way forward when there is no level playing field to start with.

The Silent Saint:

Now Chandra Muzaffar talks about moral credibility. Where has he been all this while? Where is the moral credibility in charging Anwar Ibrahim but not Saiful (under section 377B)?

Where is the moral credibility in not taking action against Dr Mahathir Mohamad, VK Lingam, Eusoff Chin and the others?

Where is the moral credibility in not taking action against a minister responsible for the shoddy construction of flyovers and hoarding millions of ringgit of taxpayers' money?

Chandra Muzzafar, you are a total disgrace to the academic community. You make statements that are most sweeping and baseless.

First, you attempted a character assassination of DSAI and when that failed now you are attempting discredit his action by bringing in the issue of moral credibility.

Even the most uneducated Malaysian can see the country is heading towards definite doom under the current most inefficient rule.

DSAI may not be the best leader in the world but he is the only hope for many of us who cannot tolerate, the corrupt, inefficient and vision-less governance of the current leadership.

The only way out for Malaysia's salvation is by forcing the current government out.

Siew Wah: To Chandra Muzaffar, if you are reading this, please take note that democracy has no place in the current administration of the Abdullah Ahmad Badawi government where the entire machinery is controlled by their cronies. It is rotten to the core.

The earlier there is a change of government, the better it would be for the nation.

And there is no better qualified leader to bring back law, order and transparency than Anwar Ibrahim, a reformed man.

To Chandra Muzaffar - if you value true democracy, support the crossover of elected BN lawmakers to Pakatan Rakyat. The earlier the better, for the good of the nation.

JD Lovrenciear:

Chandra Muzafar cries foul that Anwar Ibrahim is using the 'back door' to gain entry into Putrajaya..

How ridiculous this seemingly learned scholar can get. How come he is saying these things when he knows just as much.

Chandra, were you not one of those who screamed at one time of how the judiciary, the police and other structures were been handcuffed by the executive?

Chandra, how come you did not even whisper or whimper when Umno went to town behind the curtains to coerce and attract PAS, holding secret talks to share power even as the election results were being announced?

And now you are accusing the Pakatan Rakyat advisor of not being principled? Please stop painting the town red. The rakyat are well networked these days and the sharing and learning of the thinking rakyat is beyond you sir.

Surely you cannot deny that the ‘front door' to democracy is too heavily bolted from inside and too heavily guarded on the outside. So under such circumstances how else to prise open that door to democratic transparency and allow a fresh gust of hope for the rakyat ?

And if all these sounds unbearable, how about realising that it is not PR trying to get crossovers but that there are people so disillusioned that they too want to cross over to greater hope and potentials.

Do you not see the principle of democracy at work?

Teo Chuen Tick:

I say God speed to Anwar. We are not living in a mature democracy.

The latest is the report whereby the PR states were barred from the Sukma meeting.

When the federal government does not respect the rights of the PR states' citizens and put all sorts of obstacles on the path of the state governments, who is Chandra to preach his democratic ideals?

What type of democracy is he talking about, when all the instruments of the state are utilised to try to do Anwar in?

On 'Comfortable number' for Sept 16

Ranjinath: I am shocked! In a democratic system in Malaysia where the people choose the party rather than the person, it is grossly unjust to the voters who voted for BN that some of their members crossover to PR.

I believe if you are unhappy, you should resigned, forced a by-election and let the people decide again.

Whatever happened to the stalwarts of DAP who were against the crossing over of MPs? Once again, the silence is deafening.

It looks like PR is doing the same thing as BN did once. I don't think I will vote in the next GE.

Suriya: I am waiting for this date with bated breath.

When the tables are turned and fortunes change, those who testify at Anwar's case had better tread cautiously lest they find that the very person they are trying to destroy has come into power and can mete out the deserved justice onto them.

Arunasalam P:

Yesterday, I was waiting for the lift at a hotel located in Perai, where I had a brief conversation with a lift service man regarding the Permatang Pau by-election. He seemed thrilled that Anwar was released on bail and would soon contest in the Permatang Pauh.

To quote him he said: ‘ Anwar akan bantai BN dan saya tunggu masa-nya '. This is the general feeling of the people in Penang.

Nobody can deny Anwar's popularity despite having to face trial for sodomy for the second time. Anwar is a real fighter and has gone through such inhumane treatments in the past. In 1998 he faced a number of charges which actually originated from a single allegation.

The ruling government and the relevant authorities were smart to prefer multiple charges to fight Anwar and hoped to keep him out of the politics forever. It did not work, for Anwar lived through those difficult times to emerge as a true champion of the people.

He is intelligent, has caliber, confidence and courage of conviction to lead Malaysia through this difficult and trying period. Some BN politicians have dismissed Anwar's messages to the rakyat as empty promises and rhetoric.

If that is what these politicians think, they should challenge him to prove his promises to the rakyat and not hinder his efforts to gain control of the government.

We need a person of Anwar's caliber in parliament, who could address the plight of the people without fear or favour. We do not want ‘rubber-stamp' MPs like those in BN.

Always a Malaysian: Having such confidence in forming the next Malaysian government by September 2008, Anwar must therefore must have in mind a shadow cabinet such as not to rock the economy of Malaysia.

Remember what happened to the five states Pakatan Rakyat holds when they suddenly found themselves in power? The stakes were high as to who gets what amongst the three partners.

PKR, DAP and PAS must sit down and chart out some sort of mutual agreement be it in principal so that the new federal government of Malaysia will not be without a full cabinet for a time longer than necessary.

I, for one, will support a change of government but the thee partners must come to an agreement on the allocation of the ministerial positions in the cabinet.

However, I strongly believe Malaysia can reduce the number of ministerial position with only three alliances sharing the power unlike the current BN where all the component parties would need to be pleased.

Let's work for a new Malaysia and I foresee a much brighter future under the governance of Pakatan Rakyat.

On US summons M'sian envoy in Washington

Daniel Tan Yee Hui:

Regardless of one's opinion about the rule of law and other ideals, does anyone find it suspect that the US really does seem like they are 'meddling with our affairs'?

What do they gain from supporting the efficacy of law in our country besides the ability for them to make more rhetorical statements of their steadfastness to these principles?

How much is Anwar a pawn of the US in this whole debacle?

On PRS rebel may lose post in cabinet reshuffle

Augustine: The fight between James Masing and Larry Sng will have no end as long as they don't sit down together to discuss their internal problems. PRS has two presidents and to this day nobody has clarified which one is the genuine president.

Many people expect Larry Sng to be dropped from the state cabinet reshuffle. If he is dropped, this means his power will be limited and the resources for meeting delegates will be less. The Dato' Sri group is waiting to take over the state cabinet post.

Larry Sng, you will lose everything if you are dropped from the state cabinet line up. PRS is going to end your political mission but never mind - PR is opening the door to welcome your group. With your membership in PR, we can fight together during the coming state election.

PR needs your help to get the Iban and indigenous groups to join PR. The longer you stay with PRS, the more trouble you will encounter in the long run.

With two presidents in PRS, one of you has to surrender - nobody will respect both of you.

Your only choice is to leave the party and join Pakatan Rakyat. Think of your future - you are still young and can continue the struggle while PR is behind you.

On Four Hindraf activists held at Commonwealth meet

Malaysian-Thru-And-Thru: This is so ridiculous! What can four (harmless) individuals, who were merely distributing leaflets, do to a congregation that is protected by an already prepared 'tight' security?

To the four Hindraf activists who were distributing leaflets - this gives you the resolve to be even more tougher and to beat the BN government (of clowns) to its knees so that they will listen to your plight.

On Controversial 'conversion' forum still on

My View: I don't see any logic why this forum should have been canceled. This forum, in fact, discussed a very pertinent dilemma for those converted into Islam because of their marriage to Muslim partners.

These converts do not even understand Islam as they were blinded by love during courtship.

When the relationship turned sour, these converts realised their mistake and wish to convert back to their original faiths or other religions. Freedom of religion is enshrined in our constitution. Am I right?

Malaysia supposed to be more liberal than Indonesia, but why has Indonesia no controversy over this issue?