‘Who is mightier’ fight

(Malaysian Mirror) Almost every political party is embroiled in some kind of confidence crisis and most of the politicians elected by the people to be their wakil rakyat are being more protective of their party positions than being inclined to protect the voters’ interests.

A HOSTILE encounter between the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat is on the cards to control the Bagan Pinang state seat in Negri Sembilan.

Both are expected to give the other a ‘hell-of-a-fight’ and the campaign trail will certainly sizzle with no-holds barred criticisms, cunning maneuvers and dirty mudslinging; such as not seen in the previous by-elections this year.

There is no honour left in either side, as events in the past months had shown that good governance, efficiency, intelligence, foresightedness, morality and prudence are no longer matters of concern among the country’s politicians.

Almost every political party is embroiled in some kind of confidence crisis and most of the politicians elected by the people to be their wakil rakyat are being more protective of their party positions than being inclined to protect the voters’ interests.

So, when the race starts in Bagan Pinang, which covers a large portion of the Teluk Kemang tourism enclave in Port Dickson, voters can expect to listen to a mishmash of rhetoric that has little to do with improving their livelihood.

For the two parties, the contest will be more about ‘face-saving’ and a show of ‘who is mightier’; it is not about who is more honest in wanting to take care of the voters’ well being.

The seat, with 13, 644 registered voters fell vacant following the death of Barisan’s incumbent assemblyman Azman Mohammad Noor on Sept 4.

The Barisan, therefore, has the edge over its rival.

The stakes are high. as the side that loses will find it extremely difficult after that to regain lost pride, shattered credibility and crushed integrity.

The Barisan had already lost six by-elections this year and retaining Bagan Pinang in the Oct 11 by-election would certainly help to heal its injured ego and make amends for past defeats.

For the Pakatan, a loss would be seen as a humiliating blow to its winning streak and would send out a signal that it too has its incompetency.

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