vox populi big thumbnail ‘By the time the next GE comes around, the broken pieces of the plaque would have paved a fine road to true justice, equality, transparency and accountability.'

On Ipoh council demolishes 'Pokok Demokrasi' plaque

David Yoong:

Plaques can be broken and removed, but not the rakyat 's spirit and desire for equality and righteous governance.

The PR government should now focus on strengthening their own performance in the remaining states based on transparency, accountability and justice.

At the federal level, PR should form a shadow cabinet, and start showing the rakyat they can do better and are ready when called upon to run the country.

Suggestions for actions and measures may be made known proactively (as opposed to functioning as an opposition and criticising/countering the ruling government's initiatives) to shadow-steer the country.

This in the face of the current challenges with regards to the economy, crime, corruption, the judiciary, the police, the public prosecutors, the civil service, public transport etc.

There is a big difference between criticising (as a passive reaction) and pro-actively taking a leap and showing the way.

The rakyat 's confidence will continue to grow when PR shows that they have what it takes to do it, even though physical implementations would only be able to kick in when they form the federal government one day.

In this day and age, such initiatives may be announced through blogs, the Internet, e-mails etc.

By the time the next GE comes around, the broken pieces of the plaque would have paved a fine road to true justice, equality, transparency and accountability.

PT Tan: Pakatan Rakyat has to learn from the management gurus.

When you take over a company in a ‘hostile' manner, the first thing is to do a cleansing and make sure that only your loyal lieutenants are in place.

You do not try to guess and convince the old management of your style. Sivakumar, Nizar and company are learning the hard way. I hope Selangor learns fast too.

On Gobind suspended for a year

Jing Yi Lim: I was utterly shocked when I saw the above headline that the motion to suspend the Puchong member of Parliament, Gobind Singh, was passed.

This time he will be prohibited from attending parliament sittings not for a day, not for a month, but for a year!

Our Parliament was efficient when dealing with this motion. It was debated and passed within an hour with Gobind not even given a chance to defend himself.

When Karpal Singh was mobbed by a group of people who behaved like hooligans, our speaker Pandikar decided to set up a special committee to investigate the matter even though we have concrete evidence of a video that clearly captured the mob.

Now, it was only days ago that Gobind made the accusations against our next prime minister Najib, but he is already suspended. Is our speaker Pandikar really being impartial?

One thing that I do agree with Pandikar is that ‘(our) Parliament is no longer like a first-world parliament anymore'.

Ong: All BN members, including the speaker and his deputies, have started the race to curry favour with the soon-to-be PM.

On 'Dr M's message to Najib'

Thomson: Dr Mahathir just can't retire and fade into the sunset, can he? He should take the fine examples of Ling Liong Sik and Lim Keng Yaik and enjoy his retirement in Langkawi.

First, he handpicked Pak Lah as his successor for one term as president of Umno and prime minister. Pak Lah was to make way for Najib shortly after the first term.

Then and now, Mahathir is their most severest critic. Is Mahathir admitting that he has made a serious mistake in endorsing both Pak Lah and Najib?

The fate of the nation is not a game of poker. The person helming the nation must lead responsibly and be accountable.

Mahathir can't be saying if Najib becomes the next prime minister and selects known corrupted ministers in his cabinet, he (Dr Mahathir) will lead a campaign to oust Najib.

Firstly, if these leaders are known to be corrupted, why aren't they hauled up by the MACC and secondly, how many terms of office did Pak Lah serve before handing over the reins to Najib?

I just need to know how Dr Mahathir plans to oust Najib when he couldn't even dislodge Pak Lah from his chair in Putrajaya for so many years...

On Dr M: We'll oust Najib should he pick corrupt cabinet

Luk : Dr M said that he will oust Najib should he pick corrupt cabinet. It is a great and comforting comment but I have to say that it is just an empty talk.

Reason being that if we go by Dr M's statement, will Najib, the one who is clouded by so many allegations of corruption, be able to sit in this very cabinet he is going to form?

Will Dr M begin the crusade of ousting Najib the moment the latter forms this cabinet with himself as a member?

If Dr M is unwilling to do that, then exactly what is he talking about?

On Rosmah: I'm a human being too

Concerned: I'm not at all confident that she will be the next First Lady of Malaysia. This choice belongs to the rakyat and the people of Malaysia. We shall see.

Mooshie Mooshie: Dear Madam First Lady-to-be, we think what happened in Parliament recently with regards to Gobind Singh Deo's statements, is only a friendly banter.

The way things are going, it is, we feel only the beginning. As you have rightly said, because you are the prime minister-to-be's wife, this kind of limelight also falls on you.

So do not be dismayed. Accept it or give it up, it's that simple. But we think you will not give up. Why should you? After all, not everybody gets to be a First Lady-to-be.

On Tourism expected to fall 9.3% in 2009

Sarajun Hoda Abdul Hassan: Our tourism minister recently announced that tourist arrivals to Malaysia will not be affected and would rather increase.

This is probably to signify that potential earnings from foreigners visiting Malaysia can still be expected.

But this is outright hypocrisy. This is because the recent Matta fair which was supported by the ministry should only have s local tours, not foreign tours.

Offering very cheap fares is only a catch as after arriving to the foreign countries, Malaysians will have to spend a lot of money. That's too much money flowing out of the country.

This is an act of sabotage to our national economy. All the ministries and government departments involved in this act of sabotage must be taken to task.

During these challenging times, when we are going through such a rough financial patch, inducing people to go for overseas trip and spending our precious money there is actually an act of sabotage to our country's economy.

What is the point of earning tourism dollars only to send them back overseas? Shouldn't we instead promote local tourism? Shame on you Tourism Malaysia.

On Maths and science: The case for BM

Dennis Madden: The above article reads like 20 good reasons for the whole education system to switch over to English.