What reforms? Zaid Ibrahim tried but he has accomplished very little. The Prime Minister was gleeful about the ex-gratia payment because it gave him a standing ovation. But was he really interested in the reforms? Lip service, just like the IPCMC, remember?

Alas, Muslims aren’t united. Furthermore, Muslims do not know how to prioritize issues. Which problems are important and which are petty. So, that sets us on the wrong track.

Pakatan Rakyat promised democratic, transparent and accountable governance, a new economic agenda promoting vibrant growth, equity and power eradication based on need. I claim all these goals are being diligently pursued, if not yet realised, in the five states being ruled under this credo.

Frankly speaking, I would not know.  It certainly wouldn't be the end of UMNO and it's too early to talk of its effects.  Political organisations have the ability to rise from the ashes, and, in this case, should not be discounted.

I would like to see us adopt the debating style of the British  Parliament where MPs do not shout at each other as if they are in a fish market and the level of discourse reflects their knowledge of the issues before them and their preparedness. In my view, British MPs know how to disagree on substantive issues agreeably. They do it in style and it is such a delight to watch their deliberations on television.

It seems that it is time for Malaysia to join the democratic camp in the region. Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia have all had their democracy movements. Dr. M delayed Malaysia’s date with democracy by his arrest and jailing of Anwar, but the bill is coming due.  

There remain important concerns about the electoral process in Malaysia, namely the lack of independence of the Electoral Commission, lack of transparency in the voting roll, continued reports of phantom and “clone” voting, use of state resources in campaigning and vote buying. 

Pak Lah should continue the fight to do more for a better Malaysia. Nothing comes easy and on a platter. The more responsible and active the opposition is the better to keep the govt on its toes and to fight abuse including corruption. We need more checks and balances to improve our quality of life and good governance!

Personally, I believe Pak Lah is doing a good job and puts in place all relevant institutions to check and balance corrupt practices, abuses of power and the delivery systems to the people, from the public and private perspective. Pak Lah should be given another full term or half term.

We must work to make sure Malaysia becomes a true liberal democracy. The Executives must be bound by the Constitution, and they must not be given a freehand to amend the Constitution wily nilly. That means ensuring that no one gets a 2/3 majority.

The success of institutional reforms relies on them being carried out quickly, riding on a strong wave of popular support and on the idealism of young people enthused by a reformist leader. Reforms done slowly and cautiously are not reforms; they are merely the tweaking of the status quo. Reforms carried out over a long period of time amount to conservatism.

The CPPS does not see itself affiliated to any one particular group. It does, however, have strong stands on particular issues and it happens to be that some of these stances do not necessarily reflect those taken by Government of late.