vox populi big thumbnail ‘BN should remember this - just because Najib is seemingly popular in Umno does not mean he will become a good leader.'

Anonymous: It is amazing how pathetically blind Pak Lah is to capitalise on recent statements by the premier aspirant - the baggage-carrying, Altantuya-haunted Najib Razak.

Najib's statement that the loss for Umno in Kuala Terengganu is not a referendum on his leadership is the understatement of the year. Second only to another of his statements that PKR will bungkus in Permatang Pauh.

BN should remember this - just because Najib is seemingly popular in Umno does not mean he will become a good leader.

If Pak Lah has to take the brunt and personal responsibility for the March 2008 general election results, Najib should similarly take personal responsibility for the Permatang Pauh and Kuala

Terengganu by-elections and Bota assembly person Nasarudin HashimNasaruddin's defection to PKR.

Francis Rozario: Najib should stop trying to bite off more than he can chew. Firstly, he has to come out and decisively clear his name from any involvement in the Altantuya case.

He should answer all questions put to him by various quarters. It is no wonder why the polls place him below the PM.

The PM should not allow the country to be governed by the likes of Najib as there are too many issues at hand to be resolved.

The recent revelation of a Perak PKR division chief Fauzi Muda on the alleged RM50 million bribe and his dare to Najib to deny it only goes to add fuel to the fire.

Honestly, in my mind and that of any right thinking Malaysian, Najib is not fit for the premiership of this country.

Any guess who is behind the troubles in Perak? It was only recently that Umno Vice-president Muhyiddin Yassin made a statement to the effect that it is morally wrong for elected representatives to cross over to other parties.

Yes it is, but it was Umno which started it in the first place after the 1969 elections and they have been at it ever since. Now when the cards looked stacked against them, they talk about morality but when it suits them, morality is flung out of the window.

Where do Umno's moral values lie? After the revelations of its disciplinary committee chairperson Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen Tengku Ismail, I think its morality lies in the gutter and we are ruled by gutter politicians.

Pro-Bapa Malaysia: The Umno led Government has lost its credibility in running this multi-racial country. They have been committing blunder after blunder day after day in dealing with even minor problems.

This country was a beautiful country once but the actions of the Umno-led government and the usage of ISA has destroyed democracy in this country which was built on the understanding of peaceful coexistence amongst the various races.

The recent by-election results of both Permatang Pauh and Kuala Trengganu are a clear endorsement that the rakyat have lost confidence in the ruling Umno-led Government.

Many cases like the the Lingam tape scandal, the Altantuya murder case and the various corruption cases are still lingering on for years and the rakyat are wondering as to the reasons for the delay in bringing those guilty to book.

The PM, having set up so many suruhanjaya to deal with the above cases, should see to it that the purpose of setting up of these powerful independent bodies is met with them carrying out their duties without fear or favour.

If this is done our Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi need not step down as our prime minister in March 2009 but carry on confidently for a few terms.

This because the rakyat and the opposition parties would support him more so if he could without fear correct the blunders that have been done, especially the use of the so-called ISA.

On Najib promised RM50mil for defections

Peter Ooi: Once again Najib is embroiled in another controversy. No sooner had the Saiful Bukhari episode died down, he is again faced with another accusation, a rather serious one.

If Fauzi Muda's claim is true, it really does not augur well for Najib to take over the premiership.

At a period when our country is facing one of its worst economic turmoil, he is now accused of being willing to pay RM50million for PKR assembly persons to cross over to BN.

Besides allegedly committing a serious offence of corruption, which he is often seen as crusading against, I am wondering where could he get such a huge sum of money from.

Is the money given out by Umno? Or is it from a special fund set by BN for this purpose? Or is the money is donated by business people?

Notwithstanding where the money is sourced, the intention is not good especially for the country.

Now that Fauzi Muda has challenged Najib to deny the allegation, the latter must not simply dismiss it as not true.

As Fauzi is even willing to face Najib to hear the denial, the public's perception is definitely in favour of former.

Let us hope that Najib would not do another ‘Saiful act' - deny everything first only to admit everything later. A prime minister-in-waiting cannot afford to be so indecisive.

On Who will win Perak by-elections?

Kenny Gan: It is better for Pakatan Rakyat to dissolve the state assembly and request the king to call a snap state election. Even if PR wins the two by-elections, the majority will still be too thin to form a stable government.

To banish the threat of defections bringing down the government once and for all, PR must have the confidence to face the voters once again and win by a handsome majority.

There are good indications that PR will win overwhelmingly in the next round. The KT by-election has shown that non-Malay's support for PR has not diminished and even Malays have moved further away from Umno.

This is not surprising as Umno has shown no inclination to change from its arrogant and corrupt ways. There are many seats in Perak where BN won marginally and these may be swept up by PR. The people's great hunger for change will ensure a good PR victory.

A triumphant win in Perak may provide the impetus for the end of BN's federal rule with its devastating psychological impact.

MPs and parties who can feel which way the wind blows may decide to abandon the sinking BN ship. The shockwaves may break up the BN coalition and force a snap general elections.

On Perak speaker informs EC of vacant seats

Chuacj: Mohd Nizar, As Jamaluddin and Mohd Osman have gone missing for a number of days, I believe you have the power to sack them based on disciplinary action.

Both of them have denied sending in their resignation letters which is also proof that they are aware of what is going on and are not ‘missing'.

This further justifies the action of sacking them on the grounds that they chose to abandon their duty as state representatives.

Again, this may be the game that Umno is playing. Anyway, sack them first and we can reinstate them later, if necessary, when everything is clear.

On MIC Youth forms committee to monitor custodial deaths

Mr Murali: I personally think this is another wayang kulit from the MIC and BN. Where were they before this?

Suddenly they are trying to become the savior of the Indians. The biggest mistake the MIC did was not supporting the Indians before March 8 and always condemning Hindraf.

This MIC committee is just another drama which will end in three episodes. They don't have the guts to question the BN government or the police force.

Police brutality will continue to haunt all the citizens of Malaysia as long as the IPCMC is not formed. Who needs an MIC committee when what we want is the IPCMC to be formed?

On Leave Allah alone for Christ's sake, appeals Dompok

Baiyuensheng: I refer to the reports over the use of the term‘Allah' by the Catholic Herald , weekly publication and the subsequent outburst by Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in Mingguan Malaysia :

‘This is Malaysia. Do not equate us with another country. Don't play with fire and challenge the Muslims. We are willing to do anything to protect our religion'.

To me, this outburst sound like religious extremism and is threatening to the non-Muslims. It should not have a place in my country, Malaysia.

Probably the said minister should take his views to the Middle East.