Najib, don’t forget Idi Amin fled to Saudi Arabia

YOURSAY | ‘And Ugandans are still suffering from the years of pillage by him.’

Turns out 'Idi Amin of M'sia' is more popular, Najib tells Dr M

Pemerhati: The results of the two by-elections indicate that if both Amanah and PAS contest in the seats, which were narrowly won by either BN or Pakatan Rakyat in the last elections, then BN will win those seats easily in the next elections with large majorities.

This is because previously Amanah and PAS were one entity and the votes they got were nearly the same as those obtained by BN.

But the by-election showed that after they split, about half the previous PAS supporters gave their votes to PAS and the other half gave theirs to Amanah, while BN retained their previous supporters and in fact seemed to have added a few more because some of those who previously voted for the opposition wanted to get some of the ‘development goodies’ promised by BN.

These former opposition voters are likely to vote for the opposition again at the next elections in the hope of removing the corrupt and kleptocratic BN. But it would be futile in the marginal seats and that means BN leaders can happily continue to ‘steal’ billions.

Monty: It is clear to all that although ex-Ugandan dictator Idi Amin was corrupted, he simply did not have the billions of ringgit that PM Najib Razak has in his personal bank account.

Or that his party had the billions in their coffers to bribe the people. Also he was not able to control the media as well as Najib.

Let's be honest, the two seats were for the government to lose. The opposition were disorganised, and worse, disunited. And they have to lift their game. And the first thing is to elect an opposition leader able to battle Umno in and out of Parliament.

Leave Anwar Ibrahim out for now and elect a new leader. Both PKR, DAP and Amanah have capable leaders in their parties. And they need to elect frontbenchers to head their respective ministry portfolios.

The time for bickering over petty and personal issues is over. It is time to put the country first.

Tenfold: Idi Amin was no doubt 'popular' in Uganda at one time. He could do no wrong. He had money and brute power on his side, until his own people chased him out.

And he sought asylum in Saudi Arabia - yes, the Saudi Arabia - where he died in lap of luxury. Meanwhile, Ugandans are still suffering from the years of pillage by him.

Not Convinced: Indeed, Idi Amin eventually settled in Saudi Arabia, where “the Saudi royal family allowed him sanctuary and paid him a generous subsidy in return for his staying out of politics.”

After 23 years living in exile, he died in Jeddah in 2003. Najib, the last time I checked, the Saudi royalties too are your friends.

Retnam: Najib, don't boast so much. If you are so popular, declassify the auditor-general's report on 1MDB.

Proarte: I really feel Pakatan Harapan deserves the bloody nose it got from the rakyat. Their leaders are totally clueless about what it takes to bring the nation to a path of rehabilitation.

But sadly, they will continue to think that they offer a better alternative to BN and have a right to rule.

When they lose disastrously as in the recently concluded twin by-elections, they will blame the electorate for their 'folly'. They are so wrong. The fact is the rakyat are crying out for change.

There are no shortcuts, and least of all, shortcuts which involve association with former dictator Dr Mahathir Mohamad who single-handedly set Malaysia along a course of corruption, cronyism, blatant plunder, mediocrity, racism, religious bigotry and environmental destruction.

If Harapan touts itself as an alternative to BN, then it must offer a trajectory of governance which is radically different. Najib is merely a symptom of the disease which is called Mahathirism.

LKY: Yes, serve the opposition right. They are fighting among themselves. All opposition bigwigs should resign and let the younger generation take over. If not, there will be no chance in GE14.

Kawak: Najib must thank his buddy, PAS leader Abdul Hadi Awang, for this victory. Hadi split Pakatan by playing up the hudud issue with the support of Umno.

It seems PAS under Hadi is in cahoots with Umno. While Hadi and top PAS leaders are denying they are getting closer to Umno, we will get a clearer picture on what Hadi's real intention is after GE14.

Will PAS join Umno to govern certain states in Malaysia, including Selangor?

Ferdtan: Mahathir is now getting his own medicine with Najib calling him a “man without pride”.

No doub,t the Malays in both by-election constituencies did not heed Mahathir’s call, but to be fair it occurred during the busy Ramadan month where open ceramahs could not be held; otherwise more Malays would have turned up to hear Mahathir’s message.

What’s next? Will Najib, emboldened by his victory, take action against the Mahathir menace and arrest him? Will Mahathir up his ante in his criticisms after the holy month?

Swipenter: Mahathir should now consider doing something akin to the ‘Raid on Entebbe’ - not to free hostages on a plane but to free the minds of the rural folks.

In this age and time, it is appalling to know that one can sell one's vote for RM100 or a bag of rice. This is a reflection of the poverty afflicting the rural folks and the poverty of their minds.

It also reflects unfortunately the success of 50 years of brainwashing using race and religious issues by Umno-BN, which ironically Mahathir was the key architect.

Straight-Talk: I cry for Malaysia, especially those who voted for continued corruption and misappropriation of funds, instead of a clean administration.- Mkini