your say ‘Why talk about radical change or political surgery? Where is the ‘wow'? This is just more eloquent but cheap talk of pretentious politicians that never ends.'

Ibrahim Musa K: This is puzzling: Has there ever been a ‘wow' factor in Umno? What a conceited claim!

At one time, we ridiculed the Taiwan lawmakers for misbehaving and fighting in their parliament.

We poked fun at their president for laundering government money.

But at least their judicial system is sound and bold enough to bring their ex-leader and high officials to court pending charges on corruption.

Look at our country. Some Umno leaders with dubious financial records continue to be propelled to the pinnacle of power without qualms.

The Umno-picked judiciary and law enforcers do not even have the guts to prosecute the middle-rung fraudulent political culprits, let alone the very powerful.

So why talk about radical change or political surgery? Where is the ‘wow'?

This is just more eloquent but cheap talk of pretentious politicians that never ends.

On Poll watchdog howls foul over 'vote-buying'

Sam: Now that the Kuala Terengganu by-election is over and the result an overwhelming win for PAS, I am wondering what will happen to all those BN promises of money, contracts, housing projects, etc, etc.

The total sum comes to something like RM1 billion and has been very ably set out by some of the 'fair election' NGOs.

But now that BN has lost the election, will any of the promises that it made be honoured?

No doubt in the euphoria of the result, this may all be forgotten but I do hope that someone is keeping track of what happens so that this can be fully reported to the rakyat for their future reference.

I don't think that it is too fanciful to assume that virtually none of the promises will be fulfilled.

On After KT, there is hope for Sarawak

Brad: For a long time I have been sitting here anxious to hear news of ‘Change', the great ‘Change' that has been coming since the March 8.

One thing is certain, as a neutral, I am confused at this word ‘Change'. Exactly what is change, being changed or is going to change?

Me and probably all the neutrals want to know just in case there is a snap election.

I am trying my best to get the ‘change's in perspective. Is it a change in government, change of the party or just another wayang kulit that all Malaysian parties are good at.

So far two by-elections have gone by, but the real issues like we are going to slip into a recession and Malaysia is in big trouble has never been even mentioned in the ceramah nor even in the media.

I suspect the PKR is clasping at straws when they shout ‘winds of change'.

What a reading of the people's minds especially when the five states under the control of the Pakatan Rakyat have done nothing but buy cars, get Datuk-ships and shout persecution when their members do wrong.

I am not the judge nor jury of the people of Malaysia, but if I am anything to go by, before the next GE, we must see change, change of the kind that will benefit us, and not the politicians of either side.

So far I am quite satisfied with the government of the day, they have done well and keeping them on their toes is going on well as planned.

As Lim Kit Siang said, if (remember if) they don't buck up, than the winds of change will continue to sweep in.

Two by-elections do not make a victory, especially when the ‘Big One' comes and resources have to be stretched, and the people, especially those of Selangor, Perak and Penang want to know what has changed.

Milton Yap: The KT by-election is part of a slowly creeping tide. Prior to March 2008, no one believed there could be a credible alternative government.

BN or its prior form, the Alliance had ruled for years and the people were resigned to the ‘reality'.

Now the ‘reality' has changed. March 2008 showed that it is possible and this tide is slowly creeping into the minds of the people, the rakyat .

I believe that for every by-election that comes up from now, the people will deliver the seat to the opposition.

When the next general election comes, the swell of tide will be enough to boost the confidence of the people to vote for Pakatan all the way.

What Pakatan needs to do is to build up a strong organisation and communicate with the people with a single message.

The continued good and clean performance of the Pakatan government in the five states will further boost its image.

On PAS once tried to seize Chinese temple

SW Lee: Perhaps Chloe would appreciate the fact that all was well at the end of the day - PAS did have a change of heart.

But that was only one small incident which few Chinese ever bothered to take to heart. You can't say the same for Umno though - they have endlessly humiliated the non-Malays on so many issues and we remember them.

Worse, the party hardly tried to punish their baddies except to blame the press for misreporting.

In which case, all the newspapers should be closed down for always misreporting.