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 [...]

RANDOM, general observations about covering by-elections since March 2008: There has been a lack of substantive campaign issues. Umno always plays the race and religion card, and thinks prosperity and development are the only things that will make everyone happy. Of the eight by-elections in the past 18 months, I think the Kuala Terengganu by-election [...]

Buka puasa delicacies outside a PAS centre in Permatang Pasir “ALL this is just to create the setting,” Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) elections director Saifuddin Nasution says. He waves his hand, gesturing towards a just-concluded press conference by PAS leaders in which they again harped on the disbarment of Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Rohaizat Othman. [...]

KUALA LUMPUR, 4 June 2009: The PAS Supporters Club or Kelab Penyokong PAS (KPP) for non-Muslims has been separated into Indian and Chinese clubs, but this has not received final approval from the party’s central working committee. Outgoing PAS Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub said the separation was a trial to find the best mechanism for [...]

Nai Khan Ari casts his vote Updated on 31 May 2009 at 5.28pm BUKIT MERTAJAM, 31 May 2009: Polling for the Penanti state by-election, which began at 8am today, ended at 5pm. According to sources, the voter turnout was low. Mohd RahimAt the Dewan Orang Ramai dan Tabika Kampung Tun Sardon, the first voter was [...]

(Permatang Pauh by-election pic by Danny Lim) SINCE the historic March 2008 general election, it has become clearer to Malaysians that democracy is messy and expensive. Indeed, any politician who tries to convince the rakyat that democracy is an easy and frugal affair is guilty of trying to fool the masses. But what have we [...]