The big question on everyone's mind now is: Will Iraq become a democracy? But going by what is happening in most third world countries, I doubt it.

In Malaysia, we practise a form of 'limited democracy'. This means candidates can be barred from contesting in a general or by-election if they pose a threat to the ruling coalition. Former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim and Keadilan vice-president Azmin Ali are two examples.

The ruling coalition in Iraq is made up of the US, Britain and a few other countries which will definitely bar candidates they dislike from contesting any future election.

Iraqis who oppose the presence of foreign troops on Iraqi soil such, as Muqtada al-Sadr, will not be allowed to participate in any elections. The same to for any Iraqi who opposes US dominance over the country's oil assets.

It seems that limited democracy is the trend nowadays. Oppressed people have no chance to better themselves because their choice of leaders can be barred by anti-democratic legislation masquerading as a legitimate legal system.