To the arrogant Mr. Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar

Dear Mr. Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar,

We are not stupid. If you have grounds to say that Raja Petra is publishing "libellous, defamatory and slanderous" stuff, please take him to court and seek legal recourse.

You are supposed to be a lawyer. So please start behaving like one and do not make arbitrary decisions whch are essentially politically motivated. Stop grand standing since it only reflects your personal inadequacies. I have been reading Petra's blog and I know how careful he can be. His comments and analyses are fact based and the information is from impeccable sources.

Your government is increasingly repressive and people of this country are sick and tired of the pontifications of our Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and ministers of the UMNO-led and dominated Barisan Nasional government. One would have thought that Badawi and others including yourself would have learnt something from the March 8, 2008 General Election. But it is quite clear to all of us now that the loss of 5 key states of Penang, Perak, Selangor, Kedah and Kelantan and the two thirds majority in Parliament was not humbling enough.

UMNO was again severely beaten only two days ago in Permatang Pauh when Anwar Ibrahim trounced the Mandarin speaking Ariff Shah of UMNO with a majority of over 15,000 votes. If the election was more open, transparent and free from harassment by the Police and the FRU and UMNO's dirty tricks and threats (using paid agents) with the help of Rashid Rahman and his staff at the Elections Commission, Ariff Shah would have probably lost his deposit! In stead of learning from this latest fiasco, UMNO and the government are flexing their muscle against the Malaysian people.

You cannot win, Mr. Minister, when you take on the people of Malaysia. Please remember this: the winds of change that have hit our shores since March 8, 2008 are unstoppable. You should behave yourself and make sure that you use the power in your hands with a high sense of responsibility. Be accountable. That is my humble advice.

Remember BERSIH, Hindraf and the actions you took in recent months that caused massive traffic jams in Kuala Lumpur including the highway arrest of Anwar Ibrahim by balaclava-clad men of the Police Force, and rectumus politikus (politik jubur) UMNO played in Permatang Puah and the Koran swearing nonsense by Saiful Bukhari, Deputy Prime Minister Najib, and former Menteri Besar of Perak, Tajol Rosli. People put you in office and they can remove you. People are also laughing at the antics of UMNO.

I spent 10 days among people in Permatang Pauh and saw what UMNO with the help of the Police and FRU and Vet 69 personnel, Special Branch,and Military Intelligence and its agent provocateurs were doing. I visited places in Permatang Pauh where you would probably never dare to go. I talked and listened to the hard working ordinary Malaysians in the kampongs.

The message is clear: first, the government is no longer connecting with them, second, UMNO leaders and politicians are corrupt and cannot be trusted, third, they want a change in the leadership of our country and fourth, they no longer believe the mainstream media, tv 1, tv2,and tv3.

Permatang Pauh is a clear sign that people have hand enough of this government. It is time for Badawi and his colleagues to take stock of the government's performance record since 2004 and act. — by Din Merican

Open letter to Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammad

Dear Dr. Mahathir,

My warm greetings for a person whom I am respecting a lot !!
I was one of your strong supporter who use to write a lot of letters to you, never forget to greet you for your birthdays and wedding anniversaries. And the best part is you never failed to reply my letters despite your heavy schedule as PM at that time. I have read a lot about your cordial relationship with Anwar Ibrahim. He was quoted as staunch supporter of your good self when you were sacked from UMNO in 1970s during Tunku Abdul Rahman's time as PM. You have treated him like your own son. And both of you are gifts of God to Malaysia. But what when wrong until you hate him so badly? I think the conspirators who were jeolous of your relationship with him and fast rising of Anwar provoked these unscruplous human being who were power crazy had outst Anwar with all those malicious and slanderous accusations. But, Tun you always follow your own mind. How you got trapped with their shrewdness?

Dear Tun, The Rakyat of PP44 have made a wise selection in the recent by-election. No doubt it is to reject Pak Lah who is a weak leader. But the overwhelming majority simply shows the undivided support fo Anwar. After you, the only person who can navigate Malaysia towards 2020 is none other than Anwar Ibrahim. Tun, please accept this. I have all the respect for you.