vox populi big thumbnail 'First of all, Hindraf is not a registered body in Malaysia so banning a non-registered body is technically incorrect. Secondly, it puts the final nail in Umno/BN's coffin.'

On Hindraf ban BN's Deepavalli 'gift'

Tamilan: Banning Hindraf is the most farcical thing done by home minister in recent times. First of all, Hindraf is not a registered body in Malaysia so banning a non-registered body is technically incorrect.

Second of all, he successfully put a final nail in Umno/BN's coffin which is already losing support from the non-Malays. Now, whether Hindraf comes up with new name or even no name, the authorities have to fight with ghosts.

Hindraf is neither a party nor an organisation - it is the true spirit of freedom and self-realisation. This spirit will not rest till all evil spirits are wiped out and chased to the grave.

Daljit Singh Gendeh: Why am I not surprised? On the one hand BN/ Umno claims it can revamp and represent the voice of all Malaysians from all ethnic groups and then a ban is slammed om Hindraf.

What kind of dictatorial regime do we live under? If you don't agree with a group campaigning for the rights of the marginalised, just ban them? It is despicable and just shows the racist, arrogant attitude of our government.

Is it easier to ban them than to have table talks and look into their problems? Oh, no, that would be a total waste of time. Time that is better utilised signing multi-million dollar contracts with commissions attached, time spent building up networks with the right cronies, time spent kow- towing and bowing to the right big-wig.

So if you are a member of any organised group that wishes to champion the cause of ordinary Malaysians beware - you will be banned too.

Any community organisation from Rotary Clubs to the Interact Clubs all over Malaysia can now be interpreted to be a ‘threat to the peace and security of the country' and be banned.

Tourism Malaysia's new tag-line should now be ‘Malaysia, Truly Banned'

A Malaysian:

The Umno-led government never learned their lesson after the March election. It is sad to notice that they are not showing any signs of repentance. They are popular in scoring their own goals.

They are actually making Hindraf more important and relevant by making it an ‘illegal organisation'.

I believe that the Umno-led government will never be able to win the hearts and minds of the people in Malaysia by practising such an undemocratic and cruel policies (including the ISA).

The more the BN government oppresses this organisation and its leaders, the more they will lose their popularity and not only from amongst the Indians but among others too.

I am just waiting for one wise move from the current Umno-led government but unfortunately there are no signs of it now or in near future.

As a Malaysian, I feel we need to rescue and protect the poor and deserving from Umno's unwarranted clutches.

On Gerakan disagrees with Hindraf ban

Helen Ang: Gerakan deputy president Chang Ko Youn says he opposes the government on Hindraf.

Well, sir, what is your party going to do about your objection?

On New lease of life for banned movement?

Mooshie Mooshie: How is that Samy Vellu still doesn't get the message that BN and Umno do not need MIC or Indian support anymore?

Suhakam has rightly said that the banning of Hindraf will further isolate the Indian community from the so-called racial unity programe.

Samy boasted that MIC has 600,000 members but frankly, does he know how many actually support BN. So, Samy, is MIC still relevant?

Putting on a straight face is not going to help. Like MCA and Gerakan, reforms of MIC is only an outer change of clothes - the wolf inside in it is still the same. We only can cry for you.

On 'Arrest Khairy under ISA'

Cheong Pah:

This young 'Turk', Ting Tai Fook (MCA Perak) thinks he is very smart and brave by saying those negative stuff about Khairy.

By saying so, it actually has in fact helped Khairy greatly for the Umno youth elections. Can you see the point?

On Johor activist arrested under ISA

Spirit Fox: It seems that, far from rebuilding its image as a dutiful and trustworthy guardian of the people, PDRM seems determined to enforce a new image - that of the official Malaysian Staatspolizei, an organisation dedicated to the enforcement of the will of the party upon the people.

It also appears to signal that the new Umno regime that has come to power after the internal overthrow of Abdullah is going to take a hard line against any form of protest.

It appears highly likely that, one way or another, the people's trials and tribulations of the past year will come to head. Will we reverse decades of authoritarian rule?

Or will our nation be plunged into the blackness of a new dark age, made perhaps more sinister by the light of a perverted philosophy?

Unfortunately, I do not see Malaysians in general standing up against our Second Coming. We are a peaceful people who are not naturally inclined to resist.

Will that change? And if it does, will it be too late? I fear we are about to find out.

Concerned Citizen:

The arrest was under section 8 of the ISA for 'spreading false information'.

I see a close similarity between this report and the three reports made about the smuggling of indelible ink into the country before the last general election, which caused the loss of a large sum of the people's money and possibility PR's right to be the government.

However, there is one difference. Those three reports were confirmed to be false by the police themselves after investigations. This report by the activist was immediately declared false without further investigation.

The three unknown persons who made the false report causing considerable financial loss and damage to democracy were not arrested. The activist was immediately arrested.

I have the feeling that Malaysia is very close to becoming a police state. If the police can arrest anyone under the ISA, what is there to stop them from arresting the whole cabinet under the ISA in the future?

The ISA renders having an illegal coup unnecessary. They already have the powers under ISA. God help Malaysia.

Yum: Did they say, ‘Any person who, by word of mouth or in writing or in any newspaper, periodical, book, circular or other printed publication or by any other means spreads false reports or makes false statements likely to cause public alarm, shall be guilty of an offence'?

So, to you coppers, when are you going to arrest Khir Toyo and his ilk from Utusan ?

On PM: Let Tan explain bumiputera remarks

Ken Wong: I wonder why does Tan need to clarify something that is already a known fact. We are all immigrants to this great country. The Orang Asli are the original settlers of Malaysia.

So what is there to explain? Even research has shown that Hang Tuah came from China. No wonder Hang Tuah is no longer taught in school.

The important thing is that we must have equal opportunities for every race from here on and to live in peace and harmony.

On Rulers nominate Zaki as new CJ

Lim Keat Hoe: Even though I am not surprised yet the disappointment is there.

We will not know what transpired but four Pakatan states (assuming Penang's Governor has no say), 25,000 signatures and appeals by the Bar Council, even though disguised, have not been able stop the juggernaut.

No big deal really, if one goes by the disclosures from the Lingam tapes.

The rakyat can but hope that new CJ will indeed set an example for the administration of justice and fair play in our country now that he is wearing that mantle.

Arianna:

Why Zaki? Malaysia does not need more bad news to add to our judicial woes. Despite the concern and opposition voices from the Bar Council and the masses, our rulers appear to be deaf to the pleas for judicial reform.

Let's hope the rulers made a wise decision with Zaki's appointment as chief justice. And pray that such a decision will not come back to haunt us should Zaki fails to live up to expectations.

On Najib must explain SMS exchange with lawyer

Daljit Singh Gendeh: While any ordinary Joe can read the SMSes between Najib and Razak Baginda's lawyer and see the apparent connection, it truly amazes me that our PM does not get it or rather chooses not to see it.

What is so typical of the Umno members is their determination to support Najib with their ever increasing nominations, without even questioning the integrity of the DPM.

It's like Najib will be PM, so let's all continue supporting him in order for us to remain in his favour.

So when the cake is cut and shared, we, too, get our slice. Leaders come and go but the attitude of these Umno leaders remains the same. How to improve like that?

On 'Is this the kind of leader we want?'

Percy Chan: Our country is in decay. To even have a person to hold office without basic qualification in ethics, morality and honour is a sign of the state of decadence that our society has descended to.

We must not allow this. We must live by a standard of virtues that must be much, much higher. We cannot have leaders who are corrupt, immoral or who are liars, crooks, criminals, murderers, rapist, pedophiles, money launderers, etc and who claim that they are above the law.

We know that this is so because we have no law. Our law has been usurped and rendered useless by these same people who have abused the law.

If certain people and their likes now standing for the Umno elections are even allowed to be nominees, then we may as well close shop because we will be outlawed and labeled a pariah nation.

On Seeing red over poem 'likening Kok to dog'

The Healer: Using derogatory language and likening people to animals sounds like little children calling each other names in a fight.

Suggesting bloodshed is yet unthinkable except for those who have not enough wisdom or maturity to deal with conflicts.

PT Tan:

Anyone who has reared a dog will know the following traits:

a. Dogs are absolutely loyal

b. Dogs don't bite the hand that feeds them

c. Dogs remembers the owners even after a year or two absence

d. Dogs stay guard and will not flinch from their duties

e. Dogs dont demand much, just decent food and minimal shelter

f. Dogs are good companions

g. Dogs are better friends that some humans.

On Cheaper fuel, but what about food?

Liza: Regarding the hike in oil prices, what can I say right now that it was a result of the weak leadership of the government that we have.

How could they make an increase of more than 40% when many others oil-producing nations never made any adjustments at all?

What were these people thinking? When we exercised our responsibility in the last general election, we expected that the leaders we chose were the best of people that could represent us.

We expected these people to manage the country well and make the right decisions for the people. How could these people, supposedly intellectuals, decide to increase fuel prices to 40%?

Is that the only thing they can do? Is that the only output from the intellectual capabilities they have? If that so, how can they represent the country? Shame on them. Shame on our government.

In 2004, petrol was priced at RM 1.32. However, right now in 2008 it is priced at RM2.20.

And until today, we have been headed by four ‘Fathers'.

Our next father is going to be called - ‘Father of inflation'.

On Gov't has ignored the rakyat's feelings

SitiA: There are so many things going on at the moment which is not right and every thing boils down to our leaders being power-crazy and doing nothing in the interest of the rakyat .

The leaders are all selfish and no one thinks what the poor rakyat is going through daily.

They continue to bicker and squabble over power. At the end of the day, whoever is in power should start taking positive steps (rather than being selfish and thinking of their own wealth) and help the rakyat who are suffering due to inflaton.

Remember, if not for the rakyat, none of you would be in power. I am a Muslim convert and it saddens me to think that Islam is now being used as a tool for ill gain.

People have for generations and centuries used religion as a tool for all sorts of doings which are so wrong. It would seem that everything boils down to power and material gain and nothing else.

At this point, only time will tell how this country will be in years to come as there seems to be no positive steps being taken to combat the current issues affecting us.

On Gov't guarantees bank deposits 'til Dec 2010

Peter Yew: This is a welcome move and should stem any capital flight to other countries that better assure money invested there. I hope that the unlimited guarantee will be reviewed and hopefully extended to after 2010.

I also find the present limit of RM60,000 too low. To expect depositors to spread their savings over several banks or create new joint accounts is both cumbersome and impractical.

I wonder if depositors can be allowed to add a premium to increase the amount guaranteed by the Malaysian Deposit Insurance Corporation or PIDM for their peace of mind.