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In reality, racial politics still rule
Published:  Feb 28, 2013 10:33 AM
Updated: 5:23 AM

YOURSAY 'Umno has played the game to the hilt and eventually its ramification is there for everyone to see.'

As its term ends, can Penang remain in Pakatan hands?

your say Cogito Ergo Sum: BN has successfully, to some extent, pushed the concept that a vote for Pakatan Rakyat will be a loss of Malay power.

This has to countered but the BN's huge machinery, that includes underhanded and fraudulent methods, is tough to beat.

Swipenter: If race and religion is everything instead of universal values of freedom, equality, justice, fairness and an accountable, transparent and a clean government, then as a country we are going to slide until we reach a point when we really become a failed state.

If a wrong, just by saying it is not, can become less wrong or a right is not right just because someone says so then we are all doomed.

Truth is not what we make it out to be. We have to discover truth, we cannot manufacture truth.

After 55 years of Umno-BN governance, some of us are still struggling to discover and accept the truth that we as a nation have underperformed by a huge margin through mismanagement, abuse of power and corruption.

Aris Moklas: This is how politic works. Slight changes of perception among the locals do affect the outcome, regardless where it is morally correct or wrong.

Bear in mind that study shows politicians are regarded as the least trusted group as compared to others. This is why we have term 'frog', which is dedicated to some of our MPs.

Personally, it is still a long way to go to create a mature society where we can call ourselves as Malaysian, regardless our background. We, as voters, should teach them how to behave accordingly...

Sabahan: Rational and clear-thinking citizens will vote for Pakatan. In the past, Umno-BN get votes from illiterate and ill-informed citizens who sell their votes for money because they are poor.

The situation is now changing and lies by Umno-BN are easily recognised through the Internet. Penang will remain under Pakatan, but to call it a fixed deposit state will be an insult to intelligent voters.

Bender: Penangites, like Selangorians (even Kelantanese and Kedahans), should have no reason to let BN take over their state from Pakatan, not after what they have seen and experienced first hand.

Petty squabbles aside, the people should be wise enough now not to let such problems open up the floodgates for BN. Unfortunate as it is, squabbles do happen and not just in the Pakatan camp.

There are as much trouble in BN pastures, but let's not forget that BN has got the machineries to make their squabbles, though cancerous, look petty.

And the same machineries can turn a small ripple in the Pakatan pond into a tsunami in the eyes of the public.

Aswathaama1: DAP is ‘Chinese Umno'. Umno is very sure of winning Malay seats while DAP sure of winning Chinese seats. DAP will do anything to keep the Chinese happy and stay with the party.

Onyourtoes: It is a curse, isn't it? Finally, it all boils down to race and how each racial group should vote. Umno has played the game to the hilt and eventually its ramification is there for everyone to see.

In the meantime, the real issues confronting this country, issues that affect the livelihood of everyone - Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazans, Dayak and others - are put on the backburner.

Thirdeye: Many analysts believe Umno has regained Malay support in Penang either through ignorance of the real situation or through pious hopes or through being brainwashed by BN propaganda.

However, Penang Malays are no fools. If they have been well looked-after during those years when BN was in power in Penang with Umno calling the shots openly, why would they choose to support Pakatan in 2008?

No, they know that the main meal is for Umno cronies and they will get the crumbs, if any. Umno is too entrenched in its own muck to change.

Haveagreatday: Yes, granted the good governance of Penang by Pakatan during its term, I believe the Pakatan will be returned for a second term, electoral fraud not withstanding.

Despite his aloofness, Lim Guan Eng has come across as a very down-to-earth CM of Penang.

His many trips where he flies with other passengers either in economy class or that supposedly classless throat-cutting profit-oriented airline has endeared him to the rakyat of Penang.

Indeed, Lim has shown by example what a well-governed Pakatan-controlled state can be like.

Blackmoon: I believe Penang will remain in Pakatan's hands but Lim should pass the baton of chief minister to state DAP chief Chow Kon Yeow.

It is about time DAP Penangites prove that they are capable people who can shoulder the challenges of running a state. It will be a great shame if they still depended on an outsider to lead them.

Thetruth: If the election is clean, then Pakatan can defend Penang with both hands tied behind the back.

However, do you think it is going to be clean? Despite this, Pakatan will still prevail in Penang, but it may not retain two-thirds majority.

Madcow: Overconfidence is never a good trait. Wasn't BN the same until Penang unexpectedly fell to Pakatan?


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