Are independent candidates part of the BN’s ploy? INDEPENDENT candidates have become a sort of joke in Malaysian politics, ever since the record-breaking 13 independents decided to slug it out in Bukit Selambau in April 2009. All 13, however, lost their deposits on polling day on 7 April, during which it was clear that voters […]
by-elections
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. […]
Nomination day in Penanti (Updated 12.14pm)
By Shanon ShahUpdated 12.14pm, 23 May 2009 (popcorn © Adirana Herbut / sxc.hu) BUKIT MERTAJAM, 23 May 2009: The Penanti state by-election is shaping up to be an interesting four-cornered fight. With Barisan Nasional sitting this one out, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)’s Dr Mansor Othman, 56, faces three independents: former Penang PKR Wanita chief Aminah Abdullah, 56, […]
Resolving Manoharan’s dilemma
By Zedeck Siew“I tried my very best in appealing to the authorities and by way of applications to call for my freedom in order for me to effectively serve the public and my constituents in particular. I have exhausted all avenues for my release.” KOTA Alam Shah state assemblyperson M Manoharan, on trying to do his job. […]
Proposal to EC on Perak crisis
By Tan Keng LiangON 18 April 2009, I sent in several proposals to the Election Commission on amending election law. One of these concerned amending Article 48(6) of the Federal Constitution so that an assemblyperson who wishes to change allegiance to another party can resign and hold a by-election. Article 48(6) of the Federal Constitution states: “A person […]
PKR sacks 16 members
PETALING JAYA, 27 April 2009: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) has fired 16 members for offences against the party committed during the Bukit Selambau and Batang Ai by-elections. “They ran as candidates against party candidates, supported candidates that ran against party candidates, criticised the party through the media, or declared themselves to have left the party […]
Funding democracy, the BN way
By Jacqueline Ann Surin(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 […]
Government vs Mafia
By Wong Chin HuatWE are now told by the new Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak that by-elections are bad because they distract us from dealing with the economic crisis. Tunku Abdul Rahman (Public domain)This aversion towards elections is nothing new to Malaysia. In the spirit of learning our national history, let’s revisit some past decisions made by […]
Focus on reforms, Kit Siang tells EC (Updated 8.10pm)
By Deborah LohPETALING JAYA, 21 April 2009: DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang today slammed the Election Commission (EC) for being the “mouthpiece” of the Barisan Nasional (BN) by echoing the ruling coalition’s view that by-elections were costly and burdened the people. “It is no business of the EC to echo the view that by-elections are a waste […]
Changing voting trends among M’sians
KUALA LUMPUR, 14 April 2009: The recently concluded three by-elections have shown a noticeable change in the voting trends of the Malay Malaysians and non-Malay Malaysians towards Barisan Nasional (BN) and the opposition. Although BN managed to retain the Batang Ai state seat and the opposition parties, PKR and PAS, the Bukit Selambau state seat […]
