your say‘This is the real yardstick that Pakatan and BN can use to gauge voters' mood. Most of the previous by-elections were held on Pakatan turf. I can't wait to see how this one will turn out!"



Bagan Pinang rep dies, 9th by-election expected

Borneoman: If Pakatan wins this one, it will be 16 versus 20 in Negeri Sembilan. It takes only three frogs to change the state government. Not impossible for Pakatan Rakyat. This probably will stalemate Umno's Selangor coup-d'état plan.

Harris Ali: This is the real yardstick that Pakatan and BN can use to gauge voters' mood. Most of the previous by-elections were held on Pakatan turf. I can't wait to see how this one will turn out!

Lau Weng San: Most importantly is that though Umno won with a comfortable majority of about 2,300 votes, from the demography of the constituency, PAS (Pakatan Rakyat) stands a good chance in securing the seat provided it puts up a moderate candidate. PAS leaders in other states especially neighbouring state like Selangor should be mindful of this as people in Negeri Sembilan are watching us.

Ken: There's a sizable 22% Indian population there. If Hindraf splits the Indian vote by fielding an independent and it results in BN retaining the seat, a lot of people will not forgive the two brothers. What's the use if you cannot win but can only be a spoiler for Pakatan and help BN to win?

Habsah Ibrahim: Don't be fooled. There will be swift action now by Kerismuddin to round up the cow stompers - to show that justice has been done and more probably to get your votes.


NGOs want Hisham's head over flip-flop

PSK: If we don't nip this in the bud, this country will fall to mob-rule. Already we have seen this, and alarmingly it has becoming more frequent. We need capable and strong leaders to stand up and make sure the rule of law prevails in this country.

Loyal Malaysian: Yes, we should demand that the home minister be held accountable for his dismal performance in resolving the issue. But sadly, he's an Umnoputra. And they have never been known to hold themselves accountable for their mistakes. But let's make sure that unscrupulous politician knows that civil society is watching him!

Khor Joo Hong: As far as my little knowledge of law permits me to know, plain threatening itself is a criminal act chargeable in court, never mind threats of public bloodshed.

Even if the police find the protest per se not seditious, I would say it is impossible to arrive at a conclusion where the two speakers in the incident are not guilty of the criminal act of threatening.


Deal struck! Kg Buah Pala villagers to move out

Zainon Ahmad: Good for all. I hope they get their houses as promised and not some double-storey half-brick half-wood building. The standard must be same as some in the area. To those who promised RM3.5 million for each house, God have mercy on them for manipulating the people.

Janani Devaraja: Let's hope they get their houses, and as Zainon Ahmad said, proper houses and quickly too. It is still very sad that they had to leave the place and have their village demolished but well, for the few rich ones who want RM240,000 condos, I suppose heritage villages must suffer. Let this be a lesson for all that if you have been promised a land/house/property/whatever, get it documented and signed in the presence of as many witnesses.

If the Indians had thought about this in the independence times when the British gave them the land in the trust of 'the government', they would not be in this predicament today and would still have their land and houses.

I do believe though that the full story is not out. What happened, what was promised; it seems very fishy still and contrary to what some readers believe that if you watch too many Tamil movies, you are thus greedy and overly dramatic, the Kampung Pala residents do not strike me as such. But this is just my humble opinion.

Oneofthesedays: As expected the shrill apologists for Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng are still calling the villagers greedy. Let's hope they lose their houses next and get promised a terrace house in two years. Which was the "great" deal that Lim brokered for those darn greedy villagers.

The worst bit for me is that Lim made this a race issue. If this was the last Chinese village in Penang do you all honestly think Lim would have hurriedly signed off to seal the deal? Honestly? Yes, Gerakan is to blame but if you are honest you will see Lim is too. DAP was/is a chauvinistic party and we can thank Lim for proving this fact once and for all!

Ihsham Shah Abdullah: DAP and PKR promised what they can't deliver so just accept you made a mistake and next time don't just make empty promises to win votes.

Malaysian for Malaysia: The cause of this whole Kampung Buah Pala issue is Koh Tsu Koon and his BN government. They sold the land without the villagers' knowledge. The BN government had 'legally' robbed these villagers.

Lim Guan Eng and his government has definitely helped them by at least getting them homes after being swindled by BN. Stop blaming the Pakatan Rakyat government as they've done their best considering the circumstances.

Wira: After going a big circle, they finally come back to the point where the state government previously negotiated for them. What happens to Umno being the only party the resident association officials said that can help them? Where do they figure in this deal?