vox populi big thumbnail ‘We are humans with self-dignity. Can we sleep peacefully if we allow ourselves to be ‘office boys' in wrongdoing? Do we want to be a part of their sins?'

On Abdullah defends decision to charge opposition leader

MSKR: The executives have misused their powers. Are we Malaysians just going to watch their abuse? Is it not time for us to stop them?

The police and the AG's office have been used but if the officers there do not give their cooperation, will the executives come down to arrest, do all the police work, and conduct the trial of Anwar's sodomy case themselves?

We are humans with self-dignity. Can we sleep peacefully if we allow ourselves to be ‘office boys' in wrongdoing? Do we want to be a part of their sins?

If we just follow orders that are wrong, we are equally responsible.

It is time to say no. If everybody in the AG's chambers says no, then that's it.

The executive either has to take up the case up by themselves, or realise that they simply cannot misuse people and the government machinery for their advantage.

We have to stand for what is right to save our country. Otherwise, we will never be able to be really free and proud of this land.

Anonymous:

The prime minister can hardly claim that Anwar's trial will be fair and unprejudiced when he himself effectively makes remarks to the public and press which, in any decent country, would be seen as prejudiced.

Either this is a deliberate attempt to convict Anwar in the court of public opinion before the trial starts, or Abdullah Ahmad Badawi just doesn't have it.

It just goes to show how hopelessly broken the system is when a serving prime minister and his deputy can run roughshod over what is meant to be an impartial process and effectively direct police investigations for political gain.

I might not know much, but surely it should be about time for us to begin to fear for our liberty in the face of an overreaching government determined to stay in power despite whatever the cost is to its citizens or the political health of the country?

X'roy:

I would like to believe Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the fifth best prime minister this country has ever had. He may become the sixth best soon enough when he says that he had no hand in Anwar's sodomy case.

The pity is that there is no room for credibility and there is nothing that Abdullah has said or done that can actually vindicate him in this case.

The whole world knows what is happening, and that is why we have international organisations here to observe this trial.

Let us consider the following. At one time, he came out and publicly lied to the entire nation about the election date; at another time, when we had the scandal of the inedible ink, it was later revealed that he had a personal hand in the withdrawal of its use.

He has promised us action in revamping the judiciary, though I am hoping he does not mean a revamp only for his interests, at this time in particular, because the Anwar case has definite implications.

And he denies now that Malaysia is in recession, which goes to reinforce what Malaysians have been saying all the while - that ‘he is still asleep'.

With his credibility in doubt, there can be no trust, and when the rakyat do not trust the leadership, the leadership must resign.

On PM blamed for another 'sham trial'

Eileen The: The BN government does not seem to care, not even a bit, that they are dragging the nation down day by day so that it's just next to Zimbabwe.

They even sacrifice the dignity of the whole nation just for their own survival.

They don't care anymore whether they make themselves the laughing stock of the world again.

Looks like the present PM is not ‘Mr Clean' after all. I never thought that Abdullah could be as dirty as his predecessor.

On 'If consensual, why charge me only?'

Khin Nyunt: The same legal code applies to the ex-health minister Dr Chua Soi Lek who was caught having oral sex with solid proof on a DVD.

Why are they practising double standards by not charging Chua Soi Lek, but charging only DSAI?

If the government charges DSAI, they must charge Chua Soi Lek and follow the law.

On Ethics, medical confidentiality vs political pressures

Cikgu Evara: How pathetic. The president-elect of the MMA obliged to speak in his personal capacity, amidst the deafening silence of the MMA. What a contrast to the Malaysian Bar.

The MMA may not wish to appear partisan in political affairs, but in not defending the professional independence and intergrity of Dr Mohd Osman Abdul Hamid, they are abdicating their professional and moral responsibilites.

Anwar Ibrahim may have a bad back, but it's better than no spine. Syabas to Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan, for her steadfast defence of ‘the integrity of professionals, be they doctors or lawyers'.

She is a beacon of hope for the Malaysian people.

On Nurul Izzah: I cannot please everybody...

Benameye: YB Nurul, let me add to the brotherly advice - you are no less an MP at your age, and an MP of Lembah Pantai at that. The very high demands simply go with the job.

What you could have done is immediately acknowledge the comments against you, promise to do something about them, and do what you say.

This time around, you won due to the negative sentiment against BN.

The next time around, you will have to win on your own merit. We want you around!