The Telok Kemang by-election showed some leaning by the Bukit Pelanduk pig-farming community towards the opposition. But, on top of allegations of irregularities concerning the distribution of the MCA JE Fund, when Kelantan Mentri Besar Nik Aziz Nik Mat visited the area, all hell broke loose.

All the fuss about the mentri besar, in his capacity as the national PAS spiritual adviser, visiting a territory in the federation of Malaysia is beyond my understanding. So it appears that Negeri Sembilan is joining Selangor in their effort to keep Nik Aziz as far away as possible from their borders. Wannabe heroes always spring out from every corner of the country when Umno divisional elections draw near.

Whether Barisan Nasional realises it or not, the more Nik Aziz is harassed, the more he is endeared to the hearts of Malaysians of all races.

How do you keep the spirit of honesty and sincerity from seeping across the borders? A nation cemented with the battlecry 'Unity Towards Development' will be hard to contain when the economy is in shambles. When funds dry up, there is less development and the consequence is less unity. Materialism should never be a core factor to unite a nation because it is economy-dependent. What we need is a constant factor that is independent of any highs and lows.

With 'rumours' going around that public funds are used for saving 'national interests', is it hard to understand the fading of trust and confidence in the present leadership? All the people want during hard times is an honest reliable leader to lead them with whatever remaining little reserve left.

But Nik Aziz would be better off staying away from having a public slinging match with the egocentric, arrogant, and cornered BN leaders who have full backing from the arm-twisted mainstream media. He should concentrate on reaching the people by other means. As the Quran says about the believers: "When said unto them the ignorant, they replied salaama (peace)". Just walk away.