A small mutiny aboard the ship seems to have been attempted when the BN parliamentarians wanted their boss to allow them to vote with their consciences rather than follow party lines as what is being practiced by other modern and civilised democratic governments in first-class nations.

Our legislature and our cabinet don't seem to see eye to eye on certain fundamental issues here. One can see that our premier is facing a dilemma. After all, the electorate elected their MPs and one expect our MPs to vote without fear and favour and fight for their constituents' rights rather than those of the party they represent.

Even our colonial masters, who now have a thriving democratic process, have their Labour MPs voting against their government as they know what is good for their constituents. Prime Minister Tony Blair had to withdraw certain bills from being passed in parliament when his own party didn't support those bills but he didn't crack the whip to punish his errant MPs who didn't toe the party line.

Most people don't bother if a motion is tabled by the ruling coalition or the opposition as long as it is good for the people. We would like our members of parliament to use their heads rather than emotions when casting their votes in the august house.

Surely after nearly 50 years of independence and after being stifled of our democratic rights under the old regime, one would expect the new leadership to be more open and transparent when it comes to allowing MPs to use their brains.

Please understand that our population is made up of people with good education levels who doesn't suffer fools gladly and will be quick to punish those MPs who fail to do their duty with a good conscience.

Our top political leaders - both in the cabinet and parliament - should be 'whither than white' and their integrity should not be questioned by anybody. Needless to say, they should not abuse their power to enrich themselves by dubious means.

The people are watching. The former premier has already made some sarcastic remarks against the present government and BN MPs have showed that they would prefer to be a watchdog on all the ills of the governments rather than being lapdog who obeys what the chief whips tells them.

In the minds of the people, the latest incident will make or break the prime minister's mandate to run the country. Or is there more than meets the eye in the political storms which our present premier is facing?