1. The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi?
The loss suffered by the Barisan Nasional in the Permatang Pauh by-election should not be read as an emerging trend for other constituencies. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi stressed that while the loss was something to be concerned about, the situation had not reached a “worrying level” as Barisan Nasional still controlled 140 seats after the March 8 general election. “We can still continue with the government. We are aware of the mandate given to us and we will work hard to deliver,” he said. (The Star 28.8.08) “After all, the last general election gave us a strong victory. We are only eight seats short of a two-thirds majority, it is not that we lost by 20 or 30 seats, only eight seats. We have a very strong government.” (New Straits Times 28.8.08)
Comment: Barisan Nasional achieved “a strong victory” in the March 8, 2008 general election? Abdullah must be living in a completely different world, when he could console himself as having achieved “a strong victory” what had been described as a “political tsunami” with BN candidates falling like nine-pins, sending the BN into the Opposition in five states and ending the hitherto unbroken BN two-thirds parliamentary majority?
Abdullah is in double trouble – he has not woken up from his slumber and he is suffering from terminal denial syndrome.
Is Abdullah prepared to test whether the greater loss of popular support for Barisan Nasional as compared to six months ago as demonstrated by the Permatang Pauh by-election is “an emerging trend for other constituencies” by getting one Barisan Nasional MP to resign to create a by-election test-case?
2. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak?
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s victory in the Permatang Pauh by-election shows that democracy is very much alive in the country, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. Congratulating Anwar on his win, Najib said it also proved that there was no manipulation of democracy as alleged by the PKR adviser. (The Star 27.8.08)
Comment: What bunkum. Anwar won with a thumping and even greater majority six months ago despite and not because “there was no manipulation of democracy” – in fact it is to Najib’s shame that he had spearheaded what I had described as a 4Ds campaign – the dirtiest and the most disgraceful, dishonourable and divisive – in the Permatang Pauh by-election.
3. Gerakan acting president, Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon?
Barisan’s defeat in the Permatang Pauh by-election is another wake-up call for the ruling coalition, said Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon. (The Star 28.8.08)
Comment: If Abdullah and all the Barisan Nasional l eaders including Tsu Koon cannot “wake up” after the March 8 political tsunami, can they “wake up” after the second “political tsunami” of August 26 to realise that they are on the Malaysian Titanic?
4. MCA Secretary-General Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan?
“Ka Chuan hopes Barisan will learn from Permatang Pauh loss” – (Star headline 29.8.08)
Comment: MCA had been “hoping” and “begging” the Umno leaders for 51 years. Are they going to continue to “hope” and “beg” for the next 50 years?
5. Information Minister, Datuk Shabery Cik?
Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek immediately hit back: “The live broadcast is strictly for Question Time and we can’t change our policy for just one person.” Shabery, who was involved in the country’s first-ever live television debate with Anwar last month over fuel subsidy, added: “Traditionally, we’ve never telecast the oath-taking so there is no reason we should make an exception for him. ” (New Straits Times 29.8.08)
Comment: If Barisan Nasional candidate Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah had created an upset and won in the Permatang Pauh by-election, wouldn’t there be a live telecast of his swearing-in? If Arif had defeated Anwar, RTM would have special programmes featuring him as a hero and the entire Cabinet led by the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister would be in attendance in Parliament and not the empty Cabinet and BN parliamentary backbenches yesterday during Anwar’s oath-taking.