It was a Bloody Sunday - a peaceful protest against the recent hike in petrol and electricity tariffs turned violent when the police ran riot. Here are some reactions from readers.

Peaceful Demonstrator: On the evidence of what happened yesterday at the KLCC, and what happened on the Kesas Highway (and others), do Malaysians still believe that the government is serious about the formation of the IPCMC? Tell me, why is it so very difficult for the police to just watch the demonstrations end peacefully, once. Just once! They were, after all, literally, armed to their teeth for any eventuality!

I think they would not, for two reasons. One, that if indeed the demonstrations do end peacefully, there is every chance that the next ones will get bigger and bigger. And, two, by being aggressive and brutal, they're sending a message to the BN people that by doing so, they are nipping any potential ground swell in the bud, thereby abetting to perpetuate the BN rule!

It's an obvious case of, 'You scratch my back, I scratch yours.'

Fanny Chew: I am one of the witnesses. I saw how the FRU beat up the innocent people. I was quite shocked and angry. They shouldn't do that. The protestors tried to move out from that place after the water cannon was fired at the protestors. While they walking away, the FRU beat them.

They misuse their power. The FRU was violent! They didn't protect the people but hurt them. They didn't carry out their duty to look after the safety of the people. How shameless. Is this Malaysia Boleh? FRU boleh pukul orang?

The following are comments from readers on other reports. These are on the Mahathir interview .

Putri Pahang: I am sitting here along a river in North Sumatra with a Malaysian friend, eating ikan bakar, and guess what? We think in retrospection that Pak Mahathir was certainly an awesome PM. This insight if I may call it that, comes about because there is very little direction in the current executive. Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has an unthinking cabinet.

In case malaysiakini has a chance to get another interview, a question which Dr M needs to answer is how far was he responsible, or in what way, has he contributed to the abject failure of recruiting intelligent and capable ministers in the current administration and in the membership of Umno. This is a dismal thing. Where are the intelligent people with integrity? He did rule over us for over 20 years.

Pak Mahathir, Malaysians will not forget you, I think. Twenty years is a long time. Forgiveness is another matter. You should not have stayed for so long and not build human resources that would have the capacity to lead the nation. That is a failure.

The lesson in Singapore is, no one wants an authoritarian PM and regime, even if a voter is showered with money in view of the elections. You produce nitwits and ass-kissers. This spells danger for the future of the country in the long run.

Truly Malaysian: If people are not so furious and frustrated with the affairs within Malaysia, malaysiakini would not have started a website. Malaysiakini has shown it could highlight the state of affairs in our country and handled all the crap that comes along with it. Long live malaysiakini! You have given us the light at the end of the tunnel. Words are sharper than the sword!

It maybe only one reader, or a million readers, but you have provided us the platform to discuss many issues. When we blindly adopt things, we become automated and we cease to grow. Malaysiakini has proved otherwise.

Mahathir would not have come to you otherwise.

On Nanyang takeover: Book tells all

Ex-Malaysian: I haven't had the chance to read the book yet; but from what you have described, there is really not much new the book offers about the takeover. Most people who do read a little are certainly aware of the background of the takeover and the fact that the strategic partner behind is none other than Tiong.

However, we do have to take our hat off to Kuo for his courage. I hope he does not end up having to pay millions in damages!

On Voting along party lines contradicts NIP?

Anthony: If we look at the definitions of conscience and integrity, conscience should come before integrity. Therefore a person without conscience cannot have integrity.

On another hand, party discipline is different from conscience or discipline. If a party discipline requires one to go against one's conscience, then the only honourable way out is to resign, like what Dato Shahrir has done. Otherwise can one still have integrity?