APRIL 20 – Malaysia’s ruling coalition Barisan Nasional is contemplating whether to contest an impending by- election, with Prime Minister Najib Razak declaring it would be a “waste of resources” and the last thing the country needs now.
If BN does not contest the seat – vacated last week by the resignation of Penanti state assemblyman Mohd Fairus Khairuddin – it would represent a first of sorts for the country’s oldest coalition, which had in the past stressed that allowing a walkover was not in BN’s tradition.
But a contest for the Penanti seat in Penang will be Malaysia’s sixth by-election since the March general election last year, and it also comes on the heels of three contests just concluded on April 7 where BN managed to eke out its sole victory in the state seat of Batang Ai in Sarawak.
BN had laughed off suggestions to not contest the first by-election last year for the parliamentary seat of Permatang Pauh, which was triggered by the resignation of Wan Azizah Wan Ismail so that her husband and then de-facto Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim could be the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) candidate. Ibrahim won convincingly, as expected.
A member of his party, 33-year-old Fairus was formerly one of Penang’s two deputy chief ministers. He has been dogged by controversy since assuming office, and his resignation did not come as a surprise given that he has been unable to shake off persistent allegations of corruption.
One can see why PKR and its allies in the opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) were keen for Fairus to step down to avoid a repeat of the Perak brouhaha where two state assemblymen facing corruption charges helped to bring down the PR-ruled state by defecting to the BN.
But for Najib, whom local media described as “visibly tired” last week, another by-election is an extremely tiresome prospect, especially since his first two weeks in office have entailed quite a bit of firefighting.
If his predecessor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi rode into office on the weight of massive expectations only to underdeliver, the public mood is now far less positive.
Already, Najib’s plate is overflowing, courtesy of the Opposition, but also from his own party.
Last week, a crisis erupted in Umno/BN-controlled Terengganu, where dissent within party ranks led to speculation that the state assembly could be dissolved and new polls sought.
Najib has also observed that voters do not like unnecessary by-elections.
That voters could choose to punish PR in the Penanti seat, which incidentally falls under the Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency, cannot be discounted.
But BN has lost four out of five by-elections to date and cannot relish another test. Events last week also provided more evidence that it would face a tough time at any contest.
Inadvertent comments by Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin implying voters in the recent Bukit Gantang by-election in Perak were unappreciative because they had not reciprocated BN largesse and voted for the Opposition instead, drew considerable ire – as did comments that the Chinese and Indians were now revelling in their role as “kingmakers”.
Muhyiddin has since maintained he was misquoted, but the damage has been done.
By BN’s own analysis, it will take two to three years to win voters back.
Najib’s counts on his vision ‘1 Malaysia’ to help the process.
But other than calling on Malaysians to break down ethnic silos and for his Cabinet to treat all equally, he has yet to articulate how the vision squares with the actual implementation of government policies.
If it is truly a more united and inclusive society that he desires to build, he should start by doing away with the divisive bumiputra/non-bumiputra dichotomy that still characterises the nation after more than five decades of nationhood. Such a move would take much of the wind out of the Opposition’s sails.
In the interim, staying away from another morale-busting outing at the polls and focusing on the economy seems a sensible proposition. – Business Times Singapore
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In the interim, staying away from another morale-busting outing at the polls and focusing on the economy seems a sensible proposition. – Business Times Singapore
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The by-election in Penanti seat will take place,
vacanted by Fairus from PKR.
Fairus' resignaton means he can only contest after 5 years.
He will continue his studies, that is what politicians do - go for more studies.
So Fairus is not for sale, not like the 3 frogs in Perak - jump out to be BN friendly and cause the collapse of the ruling government. Lesson learnt and history don't repeat in Penang.
Dr Mahathir is right...BN must contest in Penanti by-election.
Najib may be tired, but politics must go on.
Najib has formed his team of economist experts to deal with the economy in our country.
He should focus on politics - bcos without political stability, the economy cannot flourish.
Muhyiddin did bad in Bukit Gantand and B. Selambau...
As deputy, Najib must assign the task to Muhyiddin to head the election machinery in Penanti.
His deupty must learn to speak rightly, even to Umno media and Utusan Malaysia...the reporters will always ask questions that are biased to one side.
But as Malaysia's No. 2, he must present national politicies clearly without racial slur which he can do in the past as cabinet member and escape punishment.
Business Times Singapore suggests that Najib do away with bumiputra/non-bumiputra dichotomy to build a united and inclusive society...Hmmmm, to take much wind away from Opposition sails.
But that lyrics is copy-righted by Opposition lah, Umno cannot copy.
Umno has put in the Article 153 in the federal constitution, though article 8 says that every Malaysian is to be treated equally under the law irregards to race and religion. That there is to be no discrimination against anyone. Article 153 makes the racial discrimination a reality.
The dichotomy of bumiputra/non-bumiputra in Article 153 is racist in nature. The racial slur becomes the stumbling block towards a united and inclusive society.
However in the history of the constitution, this dichotomy is placed to help the weaker bumiputra and not helping any bumiputra. The financial aids for education was meant to help the poorer bumiputra and not given blindly to anyone. But now the rich bumiputra, children of VIPs also benefit from such hands-out. The discount when purchasing new houses - now even the super rich bumiputra also demand discount from developer.
Hence the Article 153 is okay if implementation is fair and just to help the poor. The rationale at that time was the argument that people who are mostly poor are the Malays. Hence helping Malays are helping the poor. Now the scenario is completely different...why help the rich Umnoputra????
Najib has to deal with this issue within Umno. The Opposition Pas is a Malay party...but their leaders don't benefit from Article 153, not everything. Like licenses are given to Umno people.
If Najib deals with this issue...that is the right thing to do,
he will be the sacrificial lamb - Umno will reject him and accept Muhyiddin as the next PM.
The only way for united and inclusive society is to vote for Pakatan Rakyat to form the next federal govenment...bcos Pakatan is a new political alliance and they don't have baggages like Umno / BN.