vox populi small thumbnail 'How did she manage to spend RM244,720 in 10 days for three persons? We would like to know how the money was spent - at an average of RM8,000 per day.'

Yen Yen's visit Down Under cost RM245,000

Hoon Lim: If the tour expenses is meant for "the minister, accompanied by a companion and a senior government officer", i.e. for three persons, then each person spent RM81,573.33 over 10 days.

Gosh, I went to New Zealand for two weeks and spent less than RM10,000 per person. Obviously, this woman went on spending spree. After all, it's not her own money.

Anonymous: Please name the ‘companion' mentioned in the report. And how did she manage to spend RM244,720 in 10 days for three persons? We would like to know how this taxpayers' money was spent - at an average of RM8,000 per day.

Kenneth: This minister was using the public money for her own holidays. She went as far as Finland to so-called promote Malaysia. Why didn't she just go down to Singapore and see how they are earning tourist money from Indonesia?

HK Kee: This lady with an Australian permanent residence spends a quarter million ringgit just on this trip. What about the other places she gallivanted to?

She went around saying that Malaysia should do this and that to promote tourism, that it is her work. She will no doubt claim that her trip paid dividends through the tourist revenue.

If there is so much tourist revenue, the government should be able to give two months' bonus to my teacher-wife. There is also no reason for the GST bill and increased prices if the claim of intangible tourist revenue is true.

The truth is, this woman spends millions for holiday on public expense and we are asked to pay GST and extra taxes to support her.

PKR duo: Wee Choo Keong witnessed signing of SD

Ferdtan: It is very convenient of Rahimi Osman to leave out the name of PKR turncoat, Wee Choo Keong, when he accused the other two PKR lawyers for 'coercing' him into signing the SD (statutory declaration).

This shows the partiality of Rahimi - it means that he is not acting alone but has the full support of Umno and the Umno-friendly independent MP.

Rahimi will be making appearances in Galas by-election to the kampung folks on behalf of Umno. Meanwhile the cunning Choo Keong will either deny the fact or keep mum - until the by-election is over. Whatever this PKR turncoat decides to do, he is history - all his past struggles or good he had done will come to naught.

Avatar: Wee Choo Keong is an unethical person who is more concerned with self-gain. His past behaviour of leaving PKR and bad mouthing the very party that gave him the MP status is evident enough.

Putting his attitude with the current statutory declaration issue - I would not be surprised if Wee takes the side of Rahimi Osman and even make more damaging remarks on the on-going Sodomy II trial.

He might just say that he too was subjected to force into witness the signing. This is Bolehland, the strength of the dollar exceeds any moral and social obligations of many politicians.

I am sure next on the day of nomination for Galas, we could witness a swearing on the holy Quran by Rahimi. For these people, God's punishment (if at all they believe) will only be in the afterlife, so why worry in the current life?

Gerakan branches in Penang plan to join Pakatan, PCM

Sarawakian: Looking at how Gerakan is now a poor shadow of its former self, joining other parties is a wise move. The writing has been on the wall for a long time, so why waste your time and effort there? After all, if members are really fighting for the good of the country, you use the best resources available.

Join a party that has the interest of the rakyat at heart and not blindly offer your loyalty to self-serving leaders who are there for themselves. There's no shame leaving a party that is no longer relevant and whose leaders are no more than doormats to Umno.

Disgusted: Parti Cinta Malaysia (PCM) is another party aspiring to join BN like S Nallakarupan's party, Malaysian Indian United Party, and a few others. They are not Pakatan Rakyat material as their aim is mainly to get into the corrupt government to enjoy the ‘fringe benefits' and crumbs that fall from Umno's table, like all the component parties in BN.

People should beware of these fringe parties' motives. Don't vote for them at elections. They are merely spoilers for BN against Pakatan.

Anonymous: Why leave Gerakan piecemeal? Might as well close shop and leave BN. You have a minister who lost in Batu Kawan, so why go through the back-door? Why not the front-door? Why lower you dignity by begging for posts? Have some grain of dignity if you want voters to respect you. Even Gerakan advisor Dr Lim Keng Yaik resigned recently.

Gerakan has lost its lustre. It is rudderless, powerless, spineless. Every leader worth his salt will stand up on his principles. Why hang onto BN for crumbs? Be a man and get out. Why be a beggar?

I used to admire Gerakan, but not anymore. It has lost its way after gaining control of Penang. And what has Gerakan to show in Penang? It had so many opportunities. Penang could have rivalled Singapore, yet it has failed miserably.

Steven For Malaysia: PKR has to be wary of these Gerakan members. They are an opportunist, disobedient lot who would 'frog' to another party like one of their taikos (Tan Tee Beng), who is now an independent MP.

James Bond: The rakyat should be given more choice to choose. There should be a third force to check and balance. They can voice out abuses in Pakatan or BN. Given the current atmosphere, Parti Cinta Malaysia should play that role.

Kgen: If you want to join a Pakatan party, please leave your BN mentality behind - the mentality that joining politics is for nurturing connections for a kickstart in business. I've not met one MCA office-holder who does not have this mentality.

Adha Thangarajah Abdullah: The dawn closes in on Gerakan. Their days are numbered. Just like the Titanic , its ship headed by Koh Tsu Koon is slowly sinking. Gerakan might not even last by year-end. So long Gerakan, the once mighty force under the leadership of the late Dr Tan Chee Koon.

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