The government, says one reader, has called on us to be thrifty, but is it following its own advice? On another front, the political history of our past prime ministers is brought to the fore in readers' comments on the current controversy over the abandoned half-bridge project linking Johor Baru and Singapore. Dr Mahathir Mohamad, one reader claims, is largely responsible for what the country is today.

On K'jaan beri jaminan harga minyak tidak naik tahun ini

CKS: To all you ordinary people, listen to the people in power as they know what they are saying. Reduce your daily expenses and be thrifty on all your expenses, they say!

Well, what can I say, when 'ikan basung' (low cost fish) now cost RM8/kilo - you will stop eating ikan basung in Sabah (not sure what you gonna eat though).

Even the cost of 'taugeh' is going to be increased by 0.40 sen per kilo. Chinese tea is now at 0.70 sen and bottled water RM1.50.

Tenaga Nasional says it has to increase its tariffs otherwise it will close shop. Wonder what else is going up?

One thing that definitely would be never be revised upwards would be my salary as the CEO and HR Head has said the company cannot afford to give us a salary revision.

To the people in power, talk requires no money. You walk your talk. Do not just patronise us.

On Pak Lah must answer Dr M's allegations

Lee: What Tunku Abdul Rahman had for the country is well remembered. The comparison between the Tunku and Dr Mahathir is unfair. The later is arrogant, just did what he wanted to do and no one should stand in his way.

Look what happened to his DPMs Musa Hitam, Ghafar Baba and then Anwar Ibrahim. Did Tunku do anything to his deputies? Did Abdul Razak dethrone his deputy? Did Hussein Onn dethrone his deputy?

Dr M ruled the country for 22 years with so many problems. There is the OSA there to stop honest civil servants and others from complaining/reporting on corruption and wrongdoings.

Therefore the cronies can do what they want and that is why the country has so many government projects of poor quality and many, many tenders (closed tenders) which were overpriced.

Any actions taken? You and I know. Did we have that problem during Tunku's time?

Please Dr M, look in the mirror and see whether you are really innocent. If you are, then tell the government of today to fix up those who misused government money, facilities and resources.

Then, we Malaysians can safely say that you are truly the honest leader. Actions speak louder than words.

On BN MP raises concern over incinerator

Dr Spin: The proposal to locate a huge waste incinerator in a water catchment area near Broga is basically as stupid as the previous siting of landfills beside rivers.

NGOs, environmental professionals and the public all seem to appreciate this. Incineration is not the solution to the wet, uncontrolled waste generated in KL.

Even if an incinerator was economically feasible, which it is not, it should be located on a remote ridge with good wind dispersion of the combustion plumes.

Instead the government has proposed a site in a valley and of all places in a water catchment area.

The mind boggles!

On IPCMC rejection: Anwar slams Umno Youth

Dr Chris Anthony: I am impressed with Anwar's concern for poverty among all races with special reference to the Indians as in the above report. The government must consider poverty as a national problem and not just a racial one. Umno being the dominant party in the government has a special duty and obligation to eradicate poverty among all races.

History has shown that socio-economic backwardness even of a minority group affects the national as a whole. Poverty is like a contagious disease, its ill effects are detrimental to all.

The minority Indians have only the government controlled by Umno to turn to seek assistance in eradicating poverty and uplifting their socio-economic status. Most would agree with Anwar that the poverty level among the Indians is atrocious.

Anwar could identify the serious issues affecting the Indian community - the plight of the poverty-stricken Indians, their concerns regarding religion and cultural factors which the MIC seems to be oblivious to.

He has rightly pointed out that if there is no serious commitment to deal with these problems, there could be major setbacks in ethnic relations in the country. I hope the government seriously considers the sentiments of Anwar and pledges to tackle these problems without delay for the future well being of all Malaysians.

On Confab on how to practice Islam in space

Chris: This is nothing new. Saudi Arabia has sent one before but I don't recall if they had a similar conference.

The space station and spacecraft orbit very quicky round the earth and the angle bearing for Mecca is changing every second.

But even before determining the position, there is the challenge of maintaining your balance in the weightlessness of space.