Quotable Quotes

PETALING JAYA (March 7, 2008): The following is theSun's compilation of quotable quotes in the run-up to Malaysia's 12th General Election tomorrow.

“I am that sort of person. I get along with people from PAS and Umno. I am aggressive and loud because that’s my style. If you are not aggressive and you don’t shout, then you won’t get what you want.” – Datuk Ibrahim Ali (Former Umno strongman who is contesting on a PAS ticket after he was removed as Pasir Mas Umno chief).

“People sometimes see me as relaxed but I am thinking of strategies all the time to bring victory to Barisan here. At times, I just laugh it off, some of the issues. I am keeping myself grounded. It is how I am built.” – Datuk Dr Awang Adek Husin who would be Mentri Besar if BN wins Kelantan.

“My family, my father and I are all from here. I have my roots here. If I were to contest a seat, it has to be Rembau.” – Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin.

“It is despicable for anyone to suggest that Indians generally will vote against the Barisan Nasional (BN). For my part I will not discredit the Indians in Lembah Pantai by assuming they will not vote for BN.” - Lembah Pantai incumbent Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

“I would be happy if I could reduce the price of fuel but that would further increase the Government’s burden.” - Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

“I have never said that I have done everything and that there is nothing more to be done.” - Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

“Eighteen years (under PAS leadership) is enough. It is time for change in Kelantan and it is up to Kelantanese voters living in and outside the state to decide whether it gets developed.” - Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

“It is going to be disastrous if the experiment fails. The risks are just too high. I hope such calls for the people to experiment with the Opposition will not get any support.” - Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

“No one can cause my downfall, except Allah.” - Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, the caretaker Perlis Mentri Besar who is defending his Tambun Tulang seat.

“He has no intention of serving the people. He only serves Anwar. Is this fair to the people? He is not sincere and he’s treating people’s votes like stock which can change hands.” – Bandar Tun Razak incumbent MP Datuk Tan Chai Ho on his opponent PKR's Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

“If MCA candidates can get more votes, we will have a bigger mandate and we can work harder and faster.” - MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting.

“The Opposition is a destructive force to the community. We cannot allow the strength of the community to be weakened.” - MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting.

“Don’t listen to the lies and distortion by the Opposition. They say MCA is Umno’s lackey and bodyguard. I tell you ‘no’!” - MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting

“Help us deny Barisan Nasional a two-third majority and we will take care of you.” – DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

“The Opposition can promise anything they want but the Barisan Government only makes promises they know they can keep. The Barisan Government is more realistic, we spend within our means.” - Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.

"Nowhere in the history of the armed forces and police has the Government given a 42% salary increment. The reward was for the struggles in maintaining peace and stability in the country.” - Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.

“The Opposition parties are strange bedfellows who share different dreams. I wonder how they can be representatives.” - Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.

“We have sent our man to the moon but PAS is still hanging the moon on coconut trees.” - Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.

“PAS has the moon, PKR the eye and DAP a rocket, which is still on the ground. Whereas we have already sent a Malaysian astronaut into space.” - Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak

“Please don’t just say that you want to change but still practice cah keting (Kelantan slang for political sabotage) as it will bring you back to square one." - Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.

“If I were to find fault with the Opposition, I can compile a book.” - Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

“They (Opposition) don’t know how to govern a nation and if they form the government, Malaysia will go bankrupt very soon.” - Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

“Every race should be given the means to empower themselves and break away from poverty.” - Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

“Come what may, I will fight on and nobody can stop me.” - MIC president Datuk Seri S.Samy Vellu.

“It may sound funny but all politicians, before they talk about others, must look at the dirt on their backs before accusing others.” - MIC president Datuk Seri S.Samy Vellu (commenting on Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.)

“Maybe the newspapers do not write about programmes carried out by the MIC and they have, therefore, come to the conclusion that we are not doing anything.” - MIC president Datuk Seri S.Samy Vellu.

“Character assassination is acceptable in Islam, especially when electing a leader, because people should make a wise decision when choosing their leaders.” -PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.

“I do believe that Umno leaders are like Orang Utan because they fail to think wisely when they are ruling the country.” - PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.

“We hope our new faces can topple the veteran (Opposition) giants.” - MCA secretary-general and Perak MCA chief Datuk Ong Ka Chuan.

“My room in Sungai Buloh (prison) is still vacant but if there is no evidence, they (Hindraf leaders) must be released.” - PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“The media has been doing all kinds of reports and speculation and based on sources and you can continue to do so (on the identity of the new Penang chief minister).” - Acting Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.

“Even within the establishment, there must be a dissenting voice. The non-Malays are concerned with their rights. They may just translate this discontent at the ballot box. Leaders should take this opportunity to re-assure them that their rights will always be protected.” - Incumbent Pandan MP and MCA vice-president Datuk Ong Tee Keat.

“The problem in Malaysia is that everything is inflated because there are unseen hands making money at almost every level. We have the money but we must spend it properly.” - Syed Shahrir Syed Mohamud, MTUC president who is contesting Pandan on a PKR ticket.

"While the Malays are happy to have one of their own representing them in the State Assembly, I must also look out for the well-being of the other communities. I am an Ustaz and will serve based on the tenets of my faith." - BN's Ijok candidate Datuk Mohamed Sayuti Said

"I can retire comfortably and enjoy life, but I am contesting for my children and my grandchildren. They deserve a better future." - Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, the PKR treasurer who is contesting the Ijok state seat in Selangor and the Bandar Tun Razak parliamentary seat in KLFT.

“The prime minister had given his assurance that these issues will be addressed. We should give the PM the mandate to resolve these matters.” - Kamala Ganapathy, the MIC candidate for Sri Andalas, Selangor

“The non-Malays do not want what belongs to the Malays, but are only asking that the spirit of the NEP (New Economic Policy) is honoured and that they receive what's rightfully theirs. Once we put these things into perspective, the Malays understand that Indians are not given enough places in universities or government jobs or promotions, and that there is lack of education opportunities and that Tamil schools are neglected.” - Dr. Xavier Jayakumar, the PKR candidate for Sri Andalas

"When it comes to the crunch, voters must consider who can deliver. Who is more effective? I have a proven track record. All it takes is a few phone calls and the problem is solved." - Datuk Lim Thuang Seng, the incumbent Bukit Gasing candidate from BN-Gerakan.

"We have to dispel the idea that the machinery belongs to a political party. Any party can lead the country and and give direction to the government machinery. BN does not own the government." - Edward Lee, DAP's Bukit Gasing candidate.