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.
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 editor@thenutgraph.com
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.
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.
A nuisance, but better than dictatorship.
Ceramahs are the new rock concerts.
Pi mai pi mai tang tu!
Thank God for short campaigning periods.
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.
Comments are now closed for this article as per our policy
Naoko Posted: 27 May 09 : 11.03AM
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?
amir Posted: 27 May 09 : 11.36AM
Ain't no lie, by by by!
amir Posted: 27 May 09 : 11.39AM
Actual porn title: FINE BI ME
( http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0444119/ )
KW Mak Posted: 27 May 09 : 12.04PM
Behold the unfurling prophecy of RAHMAN.
See? God works in mysterious ways.
Gustri Posted: 27 May 09 : 1.24PM
By-election vs buy-election: which is worse?
Hafidz Baharom Posted: 27 May 09 : 2.18PM
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?
james au Posted: 27 May 09 : 11.14PM
Rakyat's right by-election, BN buy elections.
K S Ong Posted: 28 May 09 : 9.31AM
By-elections as carnivals to stimulate economy?
Jason Sim Posted: 28 May 09 : 12.13PM
We can have Perak by-elections too?
Can a BN rep die already?
Rodi Posted: 28 May 09 : 10.51PM
Do they still matter, I wonder.
terri Posted: 29 May 09 : 2.54PM
By-election! Oh-oh! That sinking feeling again!
Sashi Posted: 29 May 09 : 3.47PM
Vote for me, I won't die.
YS Posted: 30 May 09 : 10.40AM
Whatever it is, we should decide!
Shanon Shah Posted: 30 May 09 : 3.34PM
Selamat datang to the democratising madhouse.
Smarties Posted: 30 May 09 : 4.24PM
Another chance to say NO Umno!
elaine Posted: 30 May 09 : 10.39PM
Believe it or not, divine intervention?
Paul.Btze Posted: 31 May 09 : 12.46AM
Vote you, don't die on me!
wyt Posted: 31 May 09 : 10.40AM
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!
chinhuatw Posted: 31 May 09 : 12.58PM
Will die soon. Vote for me.
God, two more in Perak, please.
Ooi Posted: 1 Jun 09 : 6.36AM
Constitutionally wrong? EC must be unconstitutional?
Sivin Kit Posted: 1 Jun 09 : 11.06AM
God, more people praying, that's cool!
Calvin Posted: 1 Jun 09 : 4.41PM
God is watching. Repent or die.
Doctor's advice: stay away from elected.
Democracy in Malaysia is short lived.
Wave33 Posted: 1 Jun 09 : 10.14PM
Cardiac arrest, two please for Barisan.
birdtoi Posted: 2 Jun 09 : 4.07PM
No more by-elections I beg you.
The Lord Panda Posted: 2 Jun 09 : 6.32PM
Mandatory health check before you run.
Andrew Loh Posted: 2 Jun 09 : 11.22PM
From Zedeck's:
Why *don't* these people keep dying?!
Steven Ong Posted: 4 Jun 09 : 11.19PM
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.
RC Chia Posted: 5 Jun 09 : 4.25PM
Finally, the people have their say.
MPs don't take us for granted.
K S Ong Posted: 6 Jun 09 : 10.40AM
Luckily we did not have suicides?
terri Posted: 8 Jun 09 : 12.02PM
Next time, be wary of PAS
terri Posted: 9 Jun 09 : 1.02PM
PAS now political flirt. Next, prostitute?
