vox populi small thumbnail 'It is actually quite sad that the principal proponent of 1Malaysia has possibly not read ‘The Power of One'.'

Najib dismisses Anwar as a minority of one

Albert: PM Najib Razak said: "World leaders acknowledge our success."

But can Najib explain:

1) Large numbers of poor Malays (despite 40 years of NEP) and poor non-Malays.

2) Massive losses (in billions of ringgit) suffered by the country from MAS, Port Klang Free Zone, forex trading, etc.

3) The sorry state of affairs in the judiciary, police, MACC, AG's Chambers.

4) The RM50 billion out of RM52 billion (at IPO price) of bumi equity that was disposed for quick profit, which has resulted in the 30 percent bumi equity being a contentious issue even today.

5) Rampant corruption which has become an incurable disease.

6) Selected Umno Malays, cronies and family (e.g. Mahathir's billionaire son) being so filthy rich when large number of rakyat remain poor.

7) Untold misery to the masses through ‘artificially inflated' car prices due to protection of Proton and APs beneficiaries.

8) Marginalisation of the minority races (e.g. Indians, Chinese, etc) through blatant abuse of Article 153.

9) Lopsided agreements with the IPP (independent power producers) and tolled road operators.

Singa Pura Pura: It is actually quite sad that the principal proponent of 1Malaysia has possibly not read 'The Power of One' (and very obviously, the chief protagonist of ‘Malay First, Malaysia Second' has never even heard of Bryce Courtenay).

Good men: Keep on saying it, and eventually you'll believe it. But it ain't gonna make it true. You can say black is white as much as you want, but it don't make it so.

Ezam sings praises for Zaid, runs Anwar down

Low Yat: Ezam Mohd Noor, we know you want to ‘cari makan'. But please ‘cari makan' by other honourable means. Don't disgrace yourself further. By the way, if you hate Anwar Ibrahim so much, stop imitating his style of talking. I feel like throwing up when you talk like that.

Rick Teo: Ezam, it always bothers me how a person of your calibre could ever survive in politics. You have no integrity, no credibility and above all, honesty. You are nothing but a scumbag. Why were you with Anwar and PKR before and why did you suddenly make a 180-degree turn and criticise Anwar as if he is your mortal enemy?

You have so much venom in your words against Anwar that it is difficult to guess what your motives are.

Justice Seeker: This is the same person who in one PAS ceramah said the ACA chief is the ‘Ketua Rasuah' and the PM is the ‘Bapa Rasuah'. Can this person be trusted?

Now with Umno, he is singing a different tune. These people are political prostitutes who are completely devoid of any principles.

Correct, Correct, Correct: I suggest Ezam stands in front of the mirror and looks at himself first before pointing fingers at others.

A cautionary parable on the 'Third Force'

TKC: The talk of a ‘Third Force' in Malaysia is a joke. Presumably the dream of the ‘Third Force' is inspired by the Liberal Democrats in the UK.

We have to remember that the British ‘Third Force' came about after more than 200 years of a two-party system. In addition, our political maturity and practice of democratic principles after 50 years is, alas, not even 10 percent of the British's.

Our best strategy moving forward is to cement a long-lasting two-party system first so that we can keep the politicians honest. For Pakatan Rakyat, their best chance is still to get behind Anwar Ibrahim - warts and all - because he is the glue that holds the disparate partners together.

Once there, our hope is that Anwar would grow up and stop micro-managing and surround himself with technocrats and professionals - not cronies - to chart a new course for our beloved country.

Temenggong: Four years ago nobody ever thought that BN can be brought down in five states. Anwar and LGE (Lim Guan Eng) should have known better than to ignore important segments of society. Hence the growing call for the Third Force. It's an indication of their failure.

Like we can cut down BN, we can also cut down Pakatan to size. Pakatan is going nowhere if we the rakyat says so. If nothing changes soon in the Pakatan states, Pakatan will be isolated in Kelantan and Penang in the next general election.

Rolls-Royce: Cut Pakatan down to size if it does not change? Change to what? Change to Hindraf or HRP (Human Rights Party), is that what some of you are clamouring for? There are no such things as policies specifically for the poor Indians.

When national policies are right, the poor will get help and enjoy higher income and standard of living automatically. Right now, how to help the poor when almost everything is screwed up and everybody is struggling.

At least let Pakatan forms the federal government first and we shall see whether or not some of the ‘tong sampah' issues get resolved.

Proarte: The Third Force must address issues such as:

1) Equality of all citizens before the law.

2) Condemn the abuse by syariah courts giving custody to divorced converts to Islam from a civil marriage and have a solution to this gross injustice.

3) The protection of non-Muslim places of worship.

4) Freedom of worship, including the right of Muslims to change their religion. The unequivocal condemnation of the syariah courts which unconstitutionally state that a Muslim cannot change their faith and is a 'Muslim forever'.

5) Gender equality, including the rights of sexual minorities.

6) Repealing outdated laws such as section 377, which restrict the sexual expression between consenting adults.

The 'Third Force' will only be effective if it is non-racial and secular and emphasises our commonalities as citizens. It should not be afraid to advocate constitutional amendments if it results in promoting justice and equality of all the peoples of Malaysia.

Only then will it be a credible force.

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