Leslie Lim ([#1]Try answering these questions[/#], Nov 20) has asked all the right and pertinent questions and I am certain most Malaysians agree with him and would wish for all that he has asked for.

But, alas, he will never be able to get a straight answer from the politicians in power.

He will not even get a response, unless there are more and more provocations and incentives for the political leaders of the day to answer.

You must understand the mind set of these leaders. They have their priorities which are to look after their own business interests first. Why should they want to do anything for anyone unless it benefits them personally?

However, we may get some response when the next election comes along, they will make some promises, do some public projects, go around meeting the people, make more promises and the people will gladly vote them in again.

In some areas where they feel that they may have some resistance, all they need to do is to warn the people that if the Barisan Nasional (BN) does not win handsomely, we the rakyat will be in for a hard time. There will be no more projects and no more handouts, there may be riots and civil unrest, especially if the Opposition wins.

They will play the racial card of warning the Chinese guilds and associations that it will become more difficult for them to make a living, if they should support the Opposition, but if they should support the BN, who has had a very successful record of 43 years, they will continue to enjoy uninterrupted prosperity and peace.

And you know what? These fellows will fall for such promises again. Please don't laugh, they will.

So Leslie, it is a sad day for us Chinese, we are only interested in our own self-interests. And as stated by A.K, Vellu ([#2]Nope, I'll stick with BN[/#], Nov 18-19) we will again vote for the BN and we have to hope and pray that our prayers will be answered.

AK has asked why should he take a great risk in voting for the Opposition which is dominated by PAS and Keadilan as they will never give up their Bumiputra domination in making other races subservient to them.

Looks like unless and until PAS, Keadilan and the Barisan Alternatif in general can promise to do better than BN, I am afraid that BN will continue to win the next election again, perhaps with a smaller margin, but they will win.

Based on what we have seen thus far, the BA has not been able to project the right image of being a dynamic and cohesive party. They can't even pick a by-election candidate without threats of resignation and various forms of blackmail and threats.

I wonder where these fellows get their values and inspiration from, how are they ever going to lead the people?

I strongly urge the BA leadership to sit down together after the by-election to work out a proper strategy and formula so that this type of circus behaviour will be a thing of the past.

Get your basics right, otherwise all BN has to do is to point their fingers at you and laugh, and they will win again.

Hence, Leslie, your questions will not be answered.

Peter Geh