THE Barisan Nasional has lost some of its popularity among the people of Malaysia but yet cannot accept the fact.

BN leaders have said over and over again that they lost most of their seats due to the arrogance of BN representatives and because they did not listen to the people.

Today, after losing four more states, apart from not being able to capture Kelantan, some BN leaders are still acting arrogantly.

Take the minister of tourism as an example. Retracting the memorandum of understanding on tourism in the five Pakatan Rakyat-held states and redirecting revenue for tourism purposes through other channels, not through the state executive council, clearly shows disrespect towards the people.

Pakatan Rakyat was brought to power through the election process, not by a coup. The elections were conducted by a commission entrusted by BN.

It was the wishes of the people that brought about changes in the five state administrations. They are the same people who can be termed as taxpayers.

The taxes paid by the people are being used to pay the ministers’ salaries and allowances. Thus, there should not be any changes in privileges and provisions for every state, no matter who controls them.

Other ministers should also not follow what the tourism minister has done.

People must also understand that the administration of the nation is not funded by any political party but through taxes the people pay. Every state has the right to a share of the revenue without fail.

SHAH IZRON DADAMEAH,Subang Jaya

We want him

MY enjoyment in reading the New Straits Times has been spoiled by having to endure the constant accounts of Umno leaders calling on the prime minister to step down.

Those in Umno who criticise him and display their thinly veiled ambition in the guise of “saving Umno” may not realise one fact — that many of those who did vote for the BN may well have done so because they supported Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

For many Malaysians, Pak Lah is “the acceptable face of Umno” and the poor showing of Umno in the elections has not changed this.

Pak Lah’s honesty made him accept responsibility, where others kept silent on this score. How about their responsibility, which is there for all to see?

I strongly approve of your front page message “Get on with the job” (NST, April 16) and the front page report “Put nation first” (NST, April 17).

I can only hope that Umno members take note of it.

If they do, they may regain our support.

Source: NST – April 21, 2008