vox populi small thumbnail'Pakatan, there is no time to lose. The least of your problems lie with choosing the right candidates. The main problem is getting support from the rural folks.'

EC appoints returning officers, polls imminent

Anonymous: The electoral system in Malaysia is such that every 8-10 urban votes is equivalent to one rural vote. That is the power of rural voters against urban voters.

The needs of rural voters are basic necessities and they are not quite concerned about national issues. BN is smart enough to take care of their basic needs and win their votes.

This fact is made even worse by Sabah and Sarawak. Such being the case, it is a real uphill battle to defeat BN at federal level unless Pakatan Rakyat comes up with some brilliant strategies to win the rural constituencies.

Manjit Bhatia: I strongly doubt PM Najib Razak has the guts to call a snap poll in 2011 or even in 2012. There's far too much mess for Najib to sort out. Also he has to deal with the Muhyiddin Yassin faction.

There's a better chance of a snap poll in 2012 than in 2011. It's Najib's last best chance if the spoilers do not screw up his political calculations.

PKR would, at minimum, be wishing for the 2012 poll, because it has its own mess to sort out too. I just do not see PKR as an organised outfit ready to govern.

Trigem: Actually, the rule that allows the ruling government to decide on when to dissolve the Parliament and therefore to hold the GE is utterly unfair and ridiculous.

For true democracy to prevail, GE date must be fixed just like that of the US. No government of the day can make unilateral decision on the timing of the election that favours the ruling party.

Raikonen: Lim Kit Siang talks about the possibility of federal change. But is Pakatan prepared? Where is your shadow cabinet? Stop tip-toeing like a mouse around this issue. Show us you are prepared before you open your mouth.

Quigonbond: Pakatan, there is no time to lose. The least of your problems lie with choosing the right candidates. The main problem is getting the rural folks to see it your way. The faster you sort out your candidates, the sooner you can work the ground.


PM announces RM42.6mil 'duit raya' for Felda settlers

Don'tLeaveName: Dear PM, if Felda can give out millions, why the need to take loans of billions of ringgit from the EPF (Employees Providence Fund), which is our hard-earned money for retirement.

If a company can gave out lots of cash goodies and on the other hand take loans, what you think of this company?

Ah Boss: To all Felda settlers and readers who know them. For this once, please refrain from taking the RM200-RM400 in exchange for your vote this coming election. The amount you get will probably give you one or two months comfort at best.

Sooner or later, this money will still end up in the government's coffers in the form of inflated taxes for goods you purchase every day. When your vote is given to BN, you are allowing them another five years after GE13 to slowly suck your hard-earned money dry.


Bumi contractors back Guan Eng, slam 'racist' MCA

Swipenter: Let the contractors compete and may the best one win. Who really cares about the skin colour of the contractor if he/she can do the job nice and proper at the most competitive price.

If the bumi contractors can do the job so be it. Finding fault with Penang CM Lim Guan Eng's administration for bumiputera contractors getting most of the jobs is at best irresponsible and silly.

FellowMalaysian: A state government who could stand up and claimed that what they have done where 99.8 percent of the state's works are awarded to Malay contractors was based on a open-tender system and transparent methods of evaluation were engaged, then there is little else to question.

By labeling Lim Guan Eng (LGE) as anti-Chinese as a result of this, MCA's Tan Cheng Liang displayed questionable tact and shrewdness in her remarks. She probably has good intentions in speaking out but I think she failed to comprehend the workings of a fair-and-open tender evaluation process.

Further more, with PKMM's Izham Merican stating that the DAP government of Penang does not require approvals from party branch leaders before bidding for projects as do practised by then BN-led government, this showed that LGE is sincere in decoupling politics from business.

People Power: It is not important which race gets more contracts as long as the open tender is done in a fair manner. The awarding is strictly base on capability, cost effective and merits with open tender system.

We have to start thinking as Malaysians, not by race which is BN's way of doing things all these while. The best person wins in a fair and open tender system. BN is shooting at their own feet by accusing LGE of both anti-Malay and anti-Chinese at the same time.

It shows clearly that BN plays with racial politics and continue to spin stories.

Dood: We all know these are typical BN tactics. If Pakatan does something good for Malays or Muslims, they have MCA come out to make noise about Pakatan being anti-Chinese, anti-Indian or what not.

If Pakatan does something good for Chinese or Indians, they have Umno come out to make noise about Pakatan being anti-Malay and anti-Muslim. It's no different when they and their Utusan mouthpiece try to fool the public during elections.

One day it's PAS being the stooge of DAP, the next day it's DAP being the stooge of PAS.


Explain contradictions, Penang gov't told

Louis: Tan Cheng Liang, I am a Chinese. If 100 percent of the contracts are given to Malays who are capable of delivering, I will not object at all. This is what CM Lim is trying to achieve - making Penang Malays a class above all.

People Power: It is puzzling how BN can throw wild accusations and slander just to fish for votes. Umno Penang claims that the Malays are sidelined but MCA claims the Penang government is anti-Chinese by giving practically all contracts to bumiputeras.

Can the BN component parties sit down and decide which is the correct version?

Either Umno or MCA is lying to the rakyat. Now who is lying, Umno or MCA? Or both parties are just shooting from the hip in an attempt to con the rakyat?

 

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