vox populi big thumbnail ‘To all politicians, be humble, be truthful and be transparent to the rakyat, and the rakyat will return the favour by voting you in again at next election. In short, stop quarreling and get back to work.'

On Then and now - a third party's view of BN

Timmy Say: Can we start a new era of politics for Malaysia?

For both PR and BN politicians, in the past one year since March 8, you all have placed too heavy a premium on winning arguments and discrediting each other rather than solving the problems of our country.

Can we put an end to that culture and start focusing on the welfare of the rakyat ? The next general election is still three to four years away so this 'discrediting' exercise can be put on hold till then.

On the other hand, do not tempted to assume that those who disagree with you have fundamentally different values; to the extent of suspecting that they are motivated by bad faith, and perhaps are bad people.

Learn to agree to disagree and take note of all criticism as they might have a point. Use it as a motivation to improve.

Be humble, be truthful and be transparent to the rakyat, and the rakyat will return the favour by voting you in again at next election. Remember, you are not saints, you are just a human.

Therefore it is okay to apologise for your shortcomings; just like what Pak Lah did in his parting speech - but sadly, perhaps it just came a little too late.

Imagine if he had delivered this speech three years ago, what a difference it would make! In short, stop quarreling and get back to work. Recession is right at our doorstep.

On It's a life-and-death struggle

Eternal Optimist: Strong words by Pak Lah. And a good reminder of 'the fundamental values' to uphold.

It remains to be seen whether Umno can wake up from its collective stupor and make this happen. Still, it's interesting to see how the delegates voted.

Mustapha Mohamad's resounding success for a supreme council seat can be taken as a positive sign.

He is a quiet politician with vast experience and one who just get's on with the work. The country needs more people like that, especially now.

On 'Penang NST, where is the list?'

Diehard DAP Supporter: Dear Lim Guan Eng,

I have just read a statement by Penang Gerakan boss Dr Teng Hock Ngan that your choice of people to run your administration is bad.

I don't agree 100% with him, but I do think that Teng has a valid point, which you should not simply dismiss without an honest evaluation.

I read somewhere that you have set up a press freedom committee, and the only press person you have on your committee is a former journalist.

Your press freedom committee will have no credibility if you don't appoint more journalists. You have many supporters among journalists and you should consult them on the best people to appoint.

I am sure you have many journalist friends who can recommend some credible persons for your committee. Your mistake is that you think you know everything.

I have been a DAP supporter all my life and I am happy that you are now the chief minister of Penang.

But, as someone who cares for the party and you, I need to write this to advise you also about the need to investigate before you decide to appoint anyone.

On Animal activists slam plans for Penang tiger park

Lim Teck Wyn: I am intrigued by the idea of a having a tiger park in Penang. One or two tigers in a 40-hectare reserve would be about the same home range that the tigers would have in the wild.

Tourists could watch them during feeding time - which could be quite exciting if they were given the chance to hunt live prey such as deer.

However, I suspect that Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng does not really have this sort of eco- tourism attraction in mind.

Indeed, Jeff Ooi has suggested that the idea for the tiger park actually came from Anson Wong, an allegedly convicted wildlife smuggler.

The Penang government needs to clarify if this is true. If so, any donations from Anson Wong should be disclosed.

All of Anson Wong's existing operations in Penang should be subjected to public scrutiny.

I fear that the proposed tiger park may be used by Anson Wong for his own purposes. I hope that the proposal will be scrapped and in future, the Penang government would give more precedence to NGOs.

On Is Batang Ai a Masing-Sng proxy fight?

Maximadman: Seriously, I can't help feeling that the above report of yours is an insult to all those who are going out to vote for change.

Seems like your report is trying to influence the voters of Batang Ai in that all is well and still the same in Batang Ai. What a pity.