PENANTI: The Penanti by-election is missing something — the “Barisan Nasional buzz” — that many opposition supporters look forward to in any election.
Many would have thought that the absence of the ruling coalition was something to celebrate but it appeared that its decision to back off from contesting here has ironically made Pakatan Rakyat die-hards somewhat uninspired and deflated.
Hassan Bakri, a 58-year-old local running a small food stall here, said the by-election would help cover the slow business during the weekends but conflict sells better.
"No BN, no fun lah. If they are here, more people would come and better for my business lah," Hassan said, referring to the ruling coalition by its initials.
It was a relatively quiet day for the police in Penanti as their riot gear was left standing unused propped up against a police vehicle. — Picture by Lee Wei Lian
Many would have thought that the absence of the ruling coalition was something to celebrate but it appeared that its decision to back off from contesting here has ironically made Pakatan Rakyat die-hards somewhat uninspired and deflated.
Hassan Bakri, a 58-year-old local running a small food stall here, said the by-election would help cover the slow business during the weekends but conflict sells better.
"No BN, no fun lah. If they are here, more people would come and better for my business lah," Hassan said, referring to the ruling coalition by its initials.
It was a relatively quiet day for the police in Penanti as their riot gear was left standing unused propped up against a police vehicle. — Picture by Lee Wei Lian
It is no surprise that Hassan, or known to locals as Pak Hassan, wishes for BN's presence. He said on normal days, his stall would struggle to make enough to make ends meet so today was an opportunity for him to feel a bit more profitable, something a stall owner in a rural area is not familiar with.
"Furthermore, if BN is around, it gives opposition supporters a chance to bash them," he said.
Saharudin Buhari, from Klang and a PAS supporter, said the missing buzz of verbally abusing a party he hates "from the deepest depth of his heart" made the Penanti by-election feel “lonely”.
"It feels quiet, almost like a funeral," the 54-year-old said in a light and friendly voice.
For him, the presence of BN was an avenue to let that anger against the ruling coalition out. It legitimises what would be illegal on any other day.
Only about 800 Pakatan supporters showed up at the nomination centre here today.
The weight of Pakatan bigwigs didn't do much to awaken the sleepy township of Penanti.
Without the BN buzz, opposition hardcore had to make do with merely jeering the independent candidates.
Pakatan Rakyat supporters accompany the PKR candidate to the nomination centre. — Picture by Choo Choy May
Merely speculation that they are BN agents but for the opposition followers, the allegations are enough to give them the chance to jeer at their enemies.
"But it’s just for fun, we are not really here to jeer them, just to instill more fighting spirit," said Saharudin.
Eric Paulsen, 35, a researcher who drove hundreds of kilometres from Kuala Lumpur to observe today's event, said he was very disappointed that BN didn’t turn up.
"It's not the same. But on the other hand, their absence indicates that BN is afraid of losing again.
"It has been in power for so long and has contested every election so it’s a sign that they're afraid of losing but this is a bright sign for Pakatan," he said.
But the opposition might have another chance with Kelantan preparing for another by-election following the death of one of its state assemblyman yesterday.
And without having to say it, most here hope it's not another anti-climax like today.
MI
23/05/09
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