Of course we're desperate. But I'm entitled to have some faith in The Star, no? This daily, or at least some of its journalists, can conduct investigative journalism. Remember its pursuit of the truth behind the Millennium Jump fiasco? Thanks to the daily, Malaysians will get back the RM780, 000 which the government loaned to Fikiran Syndicate whose team, despite claims to the contrary, had not jumped over the South Pole.

The Star has also done a wonderful job covering the plight of those rendered homeless in Georgetown as a result of the repeal of the Rent Control Act. The efforts of SOS (Save OurSelves, an unregistered NGO mind you, the likes of which the mainstream media usually would rather have no dealings with) in highlighting the trials and tribulations of the homeless, were also given much coverage. Even when Organic Ong, the Fu Manchu look-a-like with wispy beard, and two other SOS leaders were arrested, usually the cue to downplay or dump the issue, The Star continued to report on the matter. Ong's unorthodox methods even made front-page news. With professionalism like this, The Star does Malaysia proud.

Previously we'd suggested that the media investigate the kickbacks that Mitsui has admitted to the Japanese tax office that it had paid to a Malaysian company to gain a Telekoms contract. And before that we'd also suggested that the media investigates the scandals surrounding Perwaja Steel and the allegations of corruption involving Rafidah Aziz and Daim, police reports for which have all been filed. It's been a while since we've heard from the media. But these are complicated cases and it'll probably take a while to put together the findings. I reckon that the reports ought to be made public soon.

Don't be so naïve, my friends tell me. Have you forgotten so quickly The Star's propagandist role during the elections? Besides, Fikiran Syndicate is small-time and easy meat. Not so these well-connected big timers. And in the case of the Georgetown homeless, I've been told that I'm missing the forest for the trees! Sure, Georgetown is a concrete jungle but this comment is still cryptic. Never mind. According to this naturalist view, we must ask who calls the shots in The Star. Then one understands why the daily has been giving so much critical coverage to the homeless, SOS, etc. Plainly put, Koh Tsu Koon's loss is the Penang MCA's gain, silly. You tell me if The Star's editors are simply hacks and hussies or that there are indeed stirrings of professionalism in the daily. Have I become so desperate?

Who wouldn't be desperate with the likes of Jeffrey Kitingan? This man is unbelievable. His jumping from party-to-party already puts Ibrahim al-Kataki to shame. So now in justifying his latest leap back to PBRS and the BN's fold, he claims that it could be "a plan of God" in order to bring about "the resurrection of development and betterment of the people". Who does he think he is? A latter-day prophet?

Jeffrey is not the first to cross over to the BN in order to resurrect his political career. He's not even the first to have surreal ambitions of becoming chief minister-by-rotation. But Jeffrey is shamelessly the first to invoke the name of God and to defile the sacredness of Christian belief in the Resurrection to justify his Judas-like betrayal of his brother, the PBS and his constituents. Just a year ago, during the Sabah state elections, all the PBS candidates including Jeffrey had sworn publicly that they would never cross over to the BN, come what may. And if they did so, the people had every right to demand their resignations. Whatever happened to that promise? Beware of latter-day false prophets proclaiming false promises! Wanna bet whether Jeffrey will still be with PBRS when the next election comes around? (Remember how voters punished the kataks at the last Sabah state elections. Some politicians obviously never learn.)

Give me Samy Vellu any time. He's not very bright but he does not jump from party-to-party. Even without his fuzzy hairdo, he's still quite funny. Oh yes, he's now an expert on gangsterism. In early April he presented a "gangsterism prevention package" to his Cabinet colleagues. Declared Samy: "I got most of the information from the Internet and through my observation". From his study, he surmised that there was a need for "close cooperation between schools, parents and the police". Profound. And you came to this conclusion after studying the problem of gangsterism throughout the world after only two years? Way to go Samy. But Samy does not study for the sake of studying. "The MIC Youth and Wanita wings would help the authorities" to overcome the problem.

But wait a minute. Didn't the BA candidate Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj who challenged Samy in Sungai Siput lodge several police reports about 15 unruly men invading his operations room during the November 1999 general elections? According to the police reports filed, these 15 gangsters threatened "to chop those who opposed Samy Vellu". Wonder if Samy Vellu interviewed and observed these Sungai Siput gangsters for his study? Wonder why they say things like "chop those who opposed Samy" as though to insinuate they are his men? Of course, this is all hearsay. Incidentally, the police did show up but took no action against the unruly chaps. How come? Apparently because they had not started chopping anyone yet, merely threatened to do so.

Obviously the Sungai Siput Police operate on a different wavelength, or do not have access to good intelligence. For over in KL, on the basis of intelligence reports that the organisers of a demonstration had made plans for it to turn violent, the police denied the organisers a permit. The PM supported the Police ruling. He confirmed that the Police had information that the demonstration planned for April 15, to show solidarity with jailed former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, was meant to create violence. Parti KeADILan leaders denied this allegation and challenged the Police to prove that violence was planned. Undeterred by these challenges, the Police undertook pre-emptive measures including arresting several keADILan leaders. The nation's security and public order were at stake, the PM claimed.

In all probability, it was not available intelligence that spurred the Police to take action, simply some intelligent Police resorting to spin to justify their usual heavy-handed ways.

In my dictionary, a demonstration is defined as "a public show of feeling or opinion, as by a mass meeting or parade"; in other words, an assembly of people expressing their feelings or opinions publicly. Let's be clear, all citizens have the right to assemble peaceably and without arms, under our Constitution. But Parliament may by law impose restrictions in the interest of public order and the security of the Federation. Under Section 27 of the Police Act, a permit is required in order to hold a demonstration. Since such permits are rarely given for demonstrations called by the opposition parties, which in the view of the authorities are intended to create violence, invariably, proposed demonstrations by the opposition are disallowed. Without a permit, the demonstration, even if peaceful, becomes "illegal".

In the Police's lexicon, that's virtually a riot, or becomes one when the "illegal assembly" is ordered to break up and a ridiculously short duration is given to those so assembled to disperse. Needless to say, rioting is an offence under Section 147 of the Penal Code. So there you are, public order and the nation's security are threatened. Predictably, this episode ended up with the arrests of citizens who insisted on their democratic rights. Their offences were: "taking part in an illegal assembly, verbally abusing the Police, being in possession of anti-government leaflets and magazines, and not having their ICs".

About the same time, more than 10,000 teachers demonstrated in the compound of Indonesia's national parliament in Jakarta to demand better pay and allowances. Under Indonesia's new laws, it is the citizens' democratic right to demonstrate peacefully. No permit is required. But demonstrators are requested to inform the Police ahead of time so that traffic does not get disrupted and ordinary people inconvenienced.

In Thailand and Philippines, Korea, Japan and India, one can also demonstrate peacefully. Recently, tens of thousands flooded the streets of Manila to protest against Estrada's alleged mismanagement. The demonstrators included opposition legislators and business people, the clergy, and ordinary Filipinos. In Bangkok, last year, rural farmers set up camp in downtown Bangkok to highlight their plight and to demand better treatment for themselves. Buddhist monks and nuns, students and NGOs came out in support.

It augurs well that the new Human Rights Commission supports the right of Malaysian citizens to assemble peacefully and intends to submit a code of conduct on the matter shortly. Perhaps we will, in time, catch up with our Asian neighbours in the march towards democracy.

Judging from the goings-on in Sabah and in the new Parliament, and the behaviour of the politicians during the Sanggang by-election, who wouldn't agree that the Yang Berhormat's need a lot more schooling. Some should even be sent back to primary school to learn about discipline, hard work, honesty and good manners.

No doubt Adnan Yaakob, the Pahang Mentri Besar should be first on the list of school returnees. In fact he should be sent straight to detention class to write a thousand times, "I must not show bad signs". Not that writing lines will make him a better person. But in detention class he might meet his match in the school gangsters. Don't you think they'll teach him a thing or two, Samy?

Nonetheless, one must not get too excited when these ill-bred politicians volunteer to do some studying. Watch out in particular for the overseas "study tours" now that most restrictions on foreign travel by government officers and delegations have been lifted following the economic recovery. Whatever the theme – IT, sustainable development, Prosper Thy Neighbour, South-South solidarity – invariably, these study tours are junkets and incur much public funds.

Another trick is to study endlessly a problem and avoid taking the necessary action to resolve it. In these columns last month we suggested that the MIC leaders and the Human Resources Ministry should stop any more studying of the plight of the plantation workers and begin implementing a system of monthly wages. This time we insist that the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) should not launch a study into public perception of the level of corruption in the country. Rather, the ACA should get on with its task of investigating the numerous allegations of corrupt practices especially those involving top officials and politicians. Didn't the ACA recently claim, in response to queries of the many unresolved cases, that they were desperately short-handed and unable to conduct the necessary thorough investigations?

Did you notice who topped the list of the 63 candidates vying for the 25 UMNO supreme council seats? None other than Malacca Chief Minister Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam who received a whopping 157 nominations. Now that nominations are closed, we do not hear of his attacks and threats against alleged anti-government professionals, bureaucrats, etc. anymore. Will he pursue those sweeping threats which he announced? Or was he simply grandstanding to get the UMNO divisions' attention? Incidentally, Adnan Yaakob's "bad signs" didn't hurt his case. He received the eighth highest number of nominations. Also running, don't snigger, is the indomitable Ibrahim Ali. Is UMNO scraping the bottom of the barrel or what? Looks like they're more desperate than we are.