Here’s something I wrote for Asia Times after the Penanti by-election:
Malaysia’s opposition alliance has chalked up its fifth by-election win out of six since a general election last year.
This time, the ruling Barisan Nasional (National Front – BN) coalition did not put up a candidate, perhaps fearing that another by-election defeat would be demoralizing. That left the coast clear for the Pakatan Rakyat (People’s Alliance) to brush aside three independent candidates on Sunday.
Photos by Anil Netto
These are scenes of Nizar at Penanti on Nomination Day and of a ceramah last night at the main Pas operations centre, as polling day approaches tomorrow. “Postal balloting” involving police personnel has already taken place.
In the PKR campaign, national issues have taken centre-stage, especially the Perak power grab and Najib’s role in it as well as his – apa nama – ‘political baggage’. Continue reading »
Photo credit: Romerz (More pictures here)
2213: The worst kept secret is officially revealed: Mansor Othman has been chosen as the PKR candidate for the Penanti by-election on 31 May.
2207: The candidate is expected to be announced anytime now.
2148: Anwar is now addressing the crowd. The other speakers are Wan Azizah, Guan Eng, Zahrain, Fairus, and Balik Pulau MP Yusmadi.
2144: Manikumar, the victorious PKR candidate in the Bukit Selambau by-election, has just walked in.
2136: Former Penang Deputy Chief Minister Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin has made a surprise appearance with Anwar at a ceramah in Penanti that is now in progress, says my contact at the scene.