1. I was not anxiously waiting for the Penanti by-election result because it was a foregone conclusion that PR will win the contest. Democratically, election is about choosing a People’s Representative (Wakil Rakyat) and it is the right of every single individual Malaysian to contest. In Penanti, part of the democratic process took place.
2. In the last 52 years the country has undergone so many General Election and by-election. History has shown that to contest an election, the candidate must be backed by strong machinery. The hope of opportunistic candidate to have a wild card win is almost obsolete. What more in the since the last general election.
3. In Penanti BN did not contest. They can put forward any excuses they like on why they are not contesting. The reality is they chose not to contest because they no they cannot win. They realized that even if there is a remote possibility of winning it is not going to have an impact on the political scenario in Penang. They decide to save their money and pick a fight that they can win.
4. Unfortunately independent candidates want to try their luck. The constitution allows it and at the same time independent candidates wants to capitalize on the possibility of a wild card win. It is indeed sad though that as far as my memory serves me, I believe all independent candidates have lost their deposits.
5. The same was observed in Penanti. It is a real waste of time and money. Candidates who want to contest must ensure they have and even chance of winning. They must have the proper machinery. They must do proper study to ensure that they can win. What Penanti and other by election have shown us is that they have not done their research. They decision to contest is similar like gambling.
6. In Penanti in particular, it is sad to note that when BN find it not fit for them to contest because they cannot win, the Independent candidates thought they can. A well oiled political machine backed by government machinery finds it hard to win. I do not understand it why the Independents candidate wants to try their luck. In my mind it is a pure abuse of democratic process. Contesting for the sake of contesting and hoping to win by a fluke chance. A chance so remote like picking a grain of rice in the sand.
7. It is my sincere hope in the future that Independents do a proper research and analysis before deciding whether they want to contest. This applies to both the General Election and a by-election. Do not contest if you don’t have a fair chance of winning. Do a proper analysis before deciding. Lastly my congratulations to the winner (i.e. PR and the people)
Congratulations to Dr.Mansor Osman for winning the Penanti be election. Its unfortunate that BN chose to stay out of the election thus breaking a new record for not contesting.
History has sets it marks after 52 years the BN has never failed to contest in any by elections but this time around they did. BN can come up with whatever reasons for not taking part in the by elections. But in the eyes of the rakyat BN is afraid to undergo yet another defeat.
Much could be said about the voters turnout. Its below the 50% mark and that is worrisome. SPR had failed in its duty to
efficiently mobilised the voters to turn up. Discrepancies occurs when some of the voters name had gone missing from the electoral list . Voters who had casted their votes during the Permatang Pauh parliamentary by election SEES RED when their names had gone missing…!
Its a sad thing to see SPR erred and exihibit their inclination
to take sides. Imagine the next by election to be held in Manik Urai.. are we set to witness yet another discrepanies in Manik Urai…?