I wonder why the Pakatan coalition need to talk about on-going case like the Mongolian lady murder in Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau by-elections. They need not be reminded that they are/were the ruling government in Kedah and Perak (up to February this year). So, they should produce their “report card” – What work has been done in last 11 months in the areas and state.  List out all the success stories and all the work in progress, and the future plans. The voters can compare the report card of both coalitions and then evaluate the candidates. That would be mature politics for me. Not the name-callings, cheap instant noodle projects, and melodramatic action.

In the last two days, two Tamil schools received their funds as promised in the second stimulus package – one presented by Muhiyiddin (SJKT Sungai Tukang) and the other by Hishamuddin (SJKT Ladang Sungai Getah, RM210,000). While we won’t know if these two schools were “recent” additions to the list, its a good publicity move by BN. Regardless of voters’ choice, two schools have got funds for renovation and repair works. Ganesan knows there’s 7 more Tamil schools left. How nice if these schools (and also all other schools – religious, secondary, missionary – in dire need of repairs) get some funds.

If PR wins, Indians will have an EXCO seat. If BN wins, Indians may get more funding via federal government. Its a win-win situation on paper, because the BN fellow may not be more than a figurehead while the PR fellow will be a lone ranger in PAS-dominated.  So, it may be a lose-lose situation in reality.  So, how about the independents? Can they offer something new? They win – no EXCO post. They may join PPP/MIC/Gerakan and try get some leftovers from federal government.

I’m worried when one of the indepedents – Jayagopal (suspended PKR member?) said the following:

He said he was using his Employees Provident Fund savings and money set aside for his children’s education to finance his campaign.

That’s a big risk. If he loses, big problem. If he wins, would the financial strain impact future decision making? It will be a big temptation to make some side money to compensate the campaign cost. I’m not only referring to Jayagopal, but all the independent candidates. They’ve spent 8K for deposit. Let’s put a modest RM10k for the election campaign. If they lose big, RM18k gone down the drain – in the current economy, its going to be a big blow.

Last 50 years record of BN ruling Bukit Selambau may be used as a yardstick to evaluate current BN promises. Pain of 50 years is more than pain of 11 months of “failures” and “lost promises”. So, on that count, BN has a problem.

To counter that, PKR division leader for Jerai, Kalaivanar, resigned from the party, calling Anwar a “pharaoh”. He has about 500-strong supporters and according to radio news today, it seems he told Nanban reporter that his group will support BN. So, few hundred votes in the bag for BN.  Kalai, who has few court cases related to cheating over his head, claimed that PKR (specifically Anwar) did not take into consideration the local Indians suggestions.

With the change of UMNO’s leadership, and possible the cabinet overhaul, BN is promising change. So do all the candidates. How would the voters judge? Can they throw aside past non-performances?