Penanti.

20.4.2009.

It can be translated to "the wait", or "the waiting place". I hope the constituents would not have to wait for another time to have a choice of who their ADUN would be. UMNO is a political party, and elections are its business. Never mind the economic situation, the state seat has to be filled. One seat would make no difference ? Tell that to Perak. Tell that to Kelantan before the last GE. Tell that to the BN supporters who still live in Penanti. Tell them that BN is deserting them. Tell everyone UMNO and BN are scared to death of another licking at the polls. Or perhaps the leaders of UMNO and BN are the real cowards. A real competitor is never afraid of losing. That's part of life. A coward dies a thousand deaths.

It's hard to talk of principles to those who don't have them. The fact is this is a matter of principle, to offer a choice to the electorates who they want as their government representative. It's hard to talk of pride to those who don't have genuine pride. The fact is this is a matter of pride to a ruling party, albeit crumbling, that it should show belief in itself and whatever it says it's fighting for and offer itself to the voters in a legitimate election. Otherwise it's a betrayal to the Penanti folks, showing no respect for their right of choice, and less appreciation, in truth abondonment and total disregard, for their previous support in past elections, whatever the numbers were. 

It may be an exaggeration, but it's probably not unfair to say that if UMNO and BN decide to throw in the towel now, they might as well throw in the towel, full stop ( or as the Americans say, "period"). Desert now, and be forever condemned for hypocricy in unashamedly crying for "a government of the people,except for Penanti". You may not have to "nanti" long for the end of the "wayang". 

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