The Nut Graph

Making Sense of Politics & Pop Culture

By-elections

By The Nut Graph team

‘TIS the season for by-elections, or so it must feel to Malaysians, who have been subject to six — Permatang Pauh, Kuala Terengganu, Batang Ai, Bukit Gantang, Bukit Selambau, and now Penanti — since the general election in March 2008.

And now, we stand on the brink of yet another one — in Manik Urai, Kelantan.

Of these by-elections, four have been necessitated by the incumbent’s death, while three are the result of resignations, all of them by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) representatives.

Image of a ballot box

For the locals, by-elections are a chance to see the various politicians — both government and opposition — who would otherwise not turn up in these areas to campaign. It has also been traditionally an opportunity to receive promises of government funding for various local projects. To be sure, this is becoming less and less likely, with the failure of the Barisan Nasional (BN) to secure victories in by-elections, at least in the peninsula.

For the rest of Malaysians, however, by-elections continue to be a platform where larger national issues are played out.

But some quarters have charged that by-elections, especially those not necessitated by death, are a waste of public funds. The BN, in fact, chose not to contest in Penanti on the basis that it is “constitutionally wrong” and merely the result of PKR infighting.

What do you think? Give us your six words on by-elections in the comments section below. Below are some from The Nut Graph team to get started.

Additionally, if you have any suggestions for what our next Six Words should be on, please e-mail [email protected]

Deborah Loh:

Healthy reps do less by-elections make.

Needed in Changkat Jering, Behrang, Jelapang.

Mandatory, whether for deaths or defections.

Diabetes, cardiac arrest, or party-hopping? By-election.

Gan Pei Ling:

A case where more isn’t better.

Creepy…Where’s my feng shui sifu?

N Shashi Kala:

Another chance to get it right.

Local issues battle with national concerns.

Elected reps have seemingly short lifespans.

The right ones are not dying.

BN motto: Can’t buy me love.

Shanon Shah:

A nuisance, but better than dictatorship.

Ceramahs are the new rock concerts.

Pi mai pi mai tang tu!

Thank God for short campaigning periods.

Zedeck Siew:

Why do these people keep dying?

Don’t die on me, my assemblyperson.

Ack! My heart! Blip, blip, tuuuuuuu …

The Nut Graph: suffering by-election fatigue.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Naoko says

    Is by-election one word or two?

    Better a by-election than corrupted rep.

    Perceived innocence beats power-clingers any day.

    Latest hit: Bye bye bye elections.

    Better graceful resignation than shameless holding.

    By-elections circus not fun to do.

    Who is killing the elected representatives?

  6. Hafidz Baharom says

    By-elections are a waste of time.

    Umno stop campaigning, just buy already.

    Stop wasting our money and work.

    EC: Is the ink really haram?

    Where is JAKIM on this issue?

  18. wyt says

    I will not be a ‘roo
    I will never be a frog
    What’s more, I can’t be bought!
    Vote for me, I’ll not hop!

  22. Calvin says

    God is watching. Repent or die.

    Doctor’s advice: stay away from elected.

    Democracy in Malaysia is short lived.

  27. Steven Ong says

    Better to have a healthy representative.

    Next election their health must check.

    If they opt out before term.

    Let them pay.They have failed.

    Sudden death of rep. Who knows?

    In the end the rakyat rules.

    This is democracy all must know.