bobjots : redux

According to backdoor Minister, Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil who’s also the chairperson for Wanita UMNO, the BN’s boycott of the Penanti by-election will stop what she terms the Pakatan’s “by-election spree”.

Let’s have a look at the by-elections to date (including the one that is due in Kelantan) and what brought about those by-elections:

• Permatang Pauh
  August 16, 2008
  Resignation of Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as Member of Parliament to facilitate the election of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
• Kuala Terengganu
  January 17, 2009
  Death of incumbent Member of Parliament, Datuk Razali Ismail.
• Bukit Selambau
  April 7, 2009
  Resignation of V. Arumugam as Kedah State Assembly member. Arumugan alleged that he was fearful for his safety due to threats received from certain parties besides alleged attempts from people claiming to represent the Barisan Nasional (BN) who offered him up to RM5 million to cross over to the coalition. To date, his allegations have not been investigated nor has he been charged for defamation or libel.
• Batang Ai
  April 7, 2009
  Death of incumbent Sarawak State Assembly member, Datuk Dublin Unting.
• Bukit Gantang
  April 7, 2009
  Death of incumbent Member of Parliament, Roslan Shaharum.
• Penanti
  May 31, 2009
  Resignation of Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin as Penang State Assembly member due to allegations of corruption and incompetence. Fairus was later cleared of corruption charges after he resigned from office.
• Manek Urai
  TBA
  Death of incumbent Kelantan State Assembly member, Ismail Yaacob.

So, of the 7 by-elections held since the 12th General Elections in 2008, only 3 were caused by resignations of the incumbent.

Of the 3, only the Permatang Pauh by-elections can really be seen as one that was a result of a political realignment. Arumugam’s resignation can be justifiably claimed as one due to extremely mitigating circumstances (and kudos to him for not falling for the alleged RM 5 million bait), whereas Fairus’ resignation can be seen as consistent with Pakatan’s stand that no corrupt official ought to be allowed to retain public office.

Now I don’t see where the “spree” is unless Shahrizat is claiming that Anwar has powers beyond measure and can determine when people will die. If I were her and that was true, I’d be very worried. As far as I am concerned, the only thing that has been stopped with Barisan Nasional’s boycott of the by-election is their string of by-election losses to date (save Batang Ai).

To be honest, if Anwar really had such powers, I think he’s targeted the wrong people to date. Pasir Mas, Kinabatangan and Pekan would have been the more obvious targets.