I think DAP chairman Lim Kit Siang has a good chance of wresting the Ipoh Timor seat from the BN/MCA. Based on the past two elections, the BN only obtained a small majority against its opponent from DAP. In fact, BN lost in a few areas such as Taman Cempaka and Kampung Simee in the 1999 elections.

The Ipoh Timor parliamentary seat is a suburban area that has seen no development in the past 10 years or so. Thus, the campaign by DAP "Vote for better development" is a step in the right direction. A suggestion to the DAP is that all the letters from malaysiakini regarding Ipoh/Kinta district be printed out and distributed to the residents here as this will enable them to know what's really happening in their beloved city.

Remember, we cannot expect anything from the MCA. They are in no position in the BN to ask for more development for Ipoh No temples or churches were built in the past 10 years even though the majority of residents are non-Muslims.

The proposed commuter system for the city (though I predict would not be built in the next 20 years) has also sidelined the non-Malay residents when the route of the commuter system do not include the largely populated Ipoh Garden/Bercham area. Instead of planning the route and stations based on demand, many stations are planned merely for Malay-majority areas in Ipoh that some have not even heard before.

The Ipoh City Council, or more widely known as MBI, is very much hated by the residents. It is probably the most ineffective, inefficient and incompetent local council in the country! Instead of trying hard to ensure that the city is clean and liveable, it has given priority in making slogans and hanging them everywhere in the city. These slogans are cheap, absurd and insulting to the people.

Clearly, the above reasons are sufficient to say goodbye to the BN in the coming elections. Vote for Lim Kit Siang in Ipoh Timor and I'm 100 percent sure things will change.