Permatang Pauh by-election

People’s wisdom taken for granted

 This is the second time within a week, voters have sent a clear message to the PM and his ruling Umno-BN government and to the fragmented Pakatan opposition of their frustrations and unhappiness on the ground.In both places the incumbents may have won but it wasn't a real win that they would have been too pleased with.

First it was the voters of Rompin and 2 days later the voters of Permatang Pauh in the respective by-elections. The voters in these constituencies have sent a clear and loud message in no uncertain terms that they are deeply upset with what the BN government is doing with their money.

The voters of Permatang Pauh have sent a clear message to PM Najib that they are solidly behind their former representative and opposition Leader, Anwar Ibrahim. They have also indicated that all is not well for the people on the ground. The high cost of living has placed them in great difficulties, more so by the newly introduced GST. They are not ready for the GST which is generally perceived as ill planned and rashly implemented. There is a general feeling that the ruling elite have lost touch with the plight of the ordinary man on the street who is struggling to make ends meet.

The people are not happy with the financial mismanagement at the highest level and abuse of power by the authorities to silence those who expose the many weaknesses in governance. Priminister Najib and his Umno-BN must take heed of the calls of the voters in these two constituencies as they reflect of the sentiments of the majority of the 30 million citizens at large.

To the Opposition Pakatan Rakyat they have indicated their unhappiness in the way they are fighting among themselves over their differences. They are deeply disturbed and saddened for being let down for all the trust they placed in them. In both these by-elections the voters have shown great wisdom, which was grossly under estimated by both BN and Pakatan.

Pakatan too must make concerted efforts to put aside their differences, especially the Hudud issue, and unite behind their common grounds to forge a stronger, united and formidable force as an alternative government after the next general elections.