your say ‘The problem here is the doubt whether there will an impartial arbitrator of truth, justice and fairness for both parties involved. The manner of the investigation leaves very little doubt what the final objective is.'

Teo Chuen Tick: That Anwar is charged seemed a foregone conclusion when the PM expounded the need ‘to help' Saiful. In a sense it is good to bring the matter to a court of law.

The problem here is the doubt whether there will an impartial arbitrator of truth, justice and fairness for both parties involved.

Anwar does not have a choice in this unlike, as had been shown before, the prosecution which can choose.

The manner of the investigation by the police leaves very little doubt what the final objective is.

Anwar has come to symbolise, for me , the torch-bearer of the hopes of millions of Malaysians for a more civil and democratic society.

He has been the glue that enabled PKR, DAP and PAS to work together, And so, I hope he has the solid alibi he said he has that will prove his innocence.

Lim Leong: While I am not surprised that Anwar is now formally charged, I am still extremely saddened by the event. Whatever the last bit of faith I had with the Malaysian criminal justice system and the health system is now lost.

I have said it before and I will say it again. The police must investigate all angles and it has completely failed to do so with a one sided probe.

Regardless of what the charges are, this act by the police is a gross injustice to Anwar and a gross injustice to the Malaysian people as well.

I can say with certainty that in a fair and just court system, the court will not allow the charges to be laid as there is a gross miscarriage of justice in the investigation.

Malaysia has the opportunity to be a progressive, democratic and wealthy nation. The successive Malaysian governments have chosen the path of mis-management and corrupt practices since independence.

It is through good luck rather than good management that Malaysia is not yet at the bottom of the heap. The nation is buffered somewhat by the vast natural resources (palm oil, rubber and crude oil).

The latest turn of event has seen the government hell bent on destroying an opposition leader instead of fixing the economy and managing the country.

I see that the only solution to the problem is a change of government.

Taneug: Surveys show that 90% of Malaysians people do not believe in the charge. Surely, this percentage must be reflected to a certain extent in the cabinet.

If so, where are the resignations? There are three ministers who are still considered men of integrity - Samad Sharir, Dr Rais and Zaid Ibrahim.

This is a defining moment in Malaysian politics. So why are the men of honour not standing up and being counted? Are they willing to be forever tainted by history?

On Make or break election for Anwar

Tan So Huat: Anwar Ibrahim is expected to win in Permatang Pauh. The ruling party can only offer a token resistance, but there is no chance of winning. Therefore, why waste so much energy and money on campaigning?

The majority of voters are Anwar and PKR supporters, and they would not appreciate what BN can do for them. They only know that Anwar should be in parliament. I do not think that BN should put up any candidate, be it Ezam or any other local leader.

There is no issue here. The only issue is whether Anwar should return to parliament, to which the majority of people have more or less agreed. Forget about stopping Anwar through Permatang Pauh.

Even if Anwar finally finds his way to parliament, it does not mean that he will succeed in forming the next government.

Let us be pragmatic. After Permatang Pauh it is still 140 vs 82 in parliament, nothing less and nothing more. Why play to Anwar's tune and get trapped in his game?

The ruling party can do something better than camping the whole cabinet in Permatang Pauh to campaign for a candidate who has no chance of winning.

Kenny Gan: Permatang Pauh is no ordinary by-election - it will be the battlefield for a new Malaysia to replace the corrupt and decadent regime that has ruled the country for half-a-century.

Anwar has given hope to the people that things can be changed and the course of the country altered towards a bright new future.

Anwar's life and career have all the elements of a good drama - his radical youth, the Baling demonstration, his arrest under ISA, his promotion to deputy prime minster, his downfall in prison under false sodomy charges, the massive demonstrations, cries of reformasi , a strong wife taking the lead, his release and rise as opposition leader, the election tsunami , the new sodomy charges, his taking it to the masses, the by-election to enter parliament and maybe even becoming prime minister.

Perhaps one day, a gifted playwright will weave all this into a stirring musical in the style of ‘Evita', and the battle for Permatang Pauh will be a scene.

Malaysian-Thru-And-Thru: The above report said: 'Abdullah insists that 'corrupting and buying' of government backbenchers is immoral and the worst kind of corruption, and has warned his rival that it is a serious offence to bribe lawmakers to switch sides.'

Abdullah must have been dreaming so much that he forgot that years ago, when Gerakan won by a majority in the state of Penang, the then BN government bribed Gerakan to cross over to BN!

On Permatang Pauh Umno wants its chief as candidate

Sang Kancil: This makes no difference! That's my view and the views of most Malaysians.

Whether BN puts up Pak Lah, Najib, Saiful, Syed Hamid Albar or any other Umno person, the result will still be the same.

Anwar is going to win. Let's not waste public funds on unnecessary campaigns full of slander.

Give Anwar an easy ride. The rakyat 's ultimate choice is Anwar for Permatang Pauh and for future PM.

On Permatang Pauh's favourite son 'returns'

Chin Wee:

Malaysians actually must realise that DSAI's case is not that serious compared to his mission to make changes to our country's economy. Many Malaysians have to go to the Ah Long just for survival, and hundreds died due to financial problems.

Mostly, Malaysians are very hardworking compared to others, but we just barely survive on barely enough to pay for a small house and a second-hand car.

This must change, since we are lucky enough to be born in this great country full of natural resources and is not fair if it is enjoyed only by a few politicians. Malaysians always thought that if a politician is rich, it is common. In fact, we are fooled by the current government.

The fact is, these politicians are enjoying the votes we are giving to them by helping only themselves. They must be questioned, not praised.

DSAI's mission for a change must be supported not only by non-Malays, but especially by Malays.

And Raja Petra Kamaruddin is a hero who demands the highest respect from all Malaysians. These are great heroes who went to jail because of us and Malaysians must support them since they are actually our true leaders.

I really hope that Malaysians do not punish DSAI, since even if his case is true (which I believe it is not) we still need him for change. Without Anwar, Raja Petra and the leaders of DAP and PAS, Malaysians will continue to be fooled and suffer for another 50 years.

For voters from Permatang Pauh, vote for Anwar, not only for yourself, but for the future of 27 million Malaysians.

On Abdullah: BN yet to decide by-election candidate

Kenny Gan: Syed Hamid again betrays his ignorance when he opens his mouth.

He was reported to have said that PKR's Pakatan Rakyat ally PAS should instead give a seat to Anwar rather than going for a by-election.

How is it possible for PAS, or any MP for that matter, to ‘give' a seat to Anwar without going for a by-election? Election laws do not permit this.

Syed Hamid's ignorance of such a basic fact boggles the imagination and raises the question of whether he is fit to be the home minister.

Another person unclear on the concept is MCA's youth leader Liow who slammed Wan Azizah for treating her seat as her ‘personal property' by ‘passing' it to Anwar.

Wan Azizah did not ‘pass' her seat to Anwar - she resigned and Anwar has to win the seat on his own merit.

Her sacrifice is evident, as she will be banned from contesting for five years and hence miss the next election.

Liow's chagrin should be properly directed at PM Abdullah, who is passing his position to Najib in 2010 as if it is his personal property.

But of course, where Umno is concerned, we cannot expect Liow to be so brave.

On 'Blame Abdullah for the sham trial'

Takeda Shingen: First it was Najib that was plotting against him and now Abdullah? Is this the same Abdullah that Anwar demanded a guarantee from before exiting the Turkish embassy for fear of his safety?

Is this the same Abdullah who freed up the courts so Anwar could get a fair appeal and be walking free today?

During the Turkish embassy fiasco Anwar demanded his safety be assured by the police and PM. He then made it a point he had to wear a bullet proof vest whenever he appeared in public. But where are those fears today? Or is it sensationalism?

DSAI had a real opportunity to use PKR as a proving ground for a new system of government in Malaysia. Remember the majority still voted for BN and so PKR have to prove themselves to win the majority.

PKR could have shown that it's ideology can work. Instead DSAI has squandered all that time trying to organise defections to topple the government and make himself PM instead of setting up a working government within the PKR states.

Instead you have PAS trying to push fundamentalist policy, Indians not getting what they were promised, lots of road shows about toppling the government and no clear political structure to govern has been mandated.

Anwar has done a masterful job in the court of public opinion but he has neglected the party.

The sad point here is that PKR is the greatest opposition party to keep BN in check and to ensure they do a proper job but because the foundations were not laid the alliance won't last without him.