The writer (right) distributing leaflets while on a walkabout in Permatang Pasir (Pic courtesy of Boon Kia Meng) MUCH has been said and countless analyses have been made since PAS beat Umno in the recent Permatang Pasir by-election by a majority of 4,551 votes. Statistics and results can often be used to spin different narratives [...]

IT has been nearly a week of campaigning here in Penanti, and the by-election still seems skimpy on issues. True, all the candidates have revealed their “manifestos”, but none of them seem to be too specific. Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) candidate Dr Mansor Othman has been the most strategic in releasing his manifesto, charter and [...]

The audience at the Jalan Berapit ceramah   “THE Barisan Nasional (BN) should change its name to Barisan Pondan (faggot)!” bellows Penang Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) chief Datuk Zahrain Mohamed Hashim to the 5,000-strong crowd in Jalan Berapit on 23 May 2009. The audience applauds the Bayan Baru MP, and emboldened, he goes on to [...]

SUNGAI PETANI, 5 April 2009: The Kedah People’s Progressive Party (PPP) today denied a claim by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that 6,000 PPP members had joined PKR. Its deputy chairperson K Vadi Vellu said the 9,000 Kedah PPP members remained loyal to the party and were actively involved in the [...]

Entrance to the Chinese fishing village of Kuala Sepetang WET weather has put a damper on the nightly ceramah circuit in Bukit Gantang. In the past week, most Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) gigs drew crowds in the range of 150 to less than 500 by the time the night’s speeches were over. [...]

THE hand-to-hand combat has begun in earnest for the 7 April 2009 Batang Ai by-election between the Barisan Nasional (BN) and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR). It is a torturous and expensive battle for both the contesting parties. Lodged under the shadow of the mountain range that separates Sarawak from the Kalimantan side of Indonesia, Batang [...]