Pengkalan Pasir by-election is coming. BK Ong of Malaysian Voters’ Union (Malvu) will turun padang to campaign too ! Malvu is neutral but pro-democracy. In this by-election, they will observe closely the violation of election laws by both (or all three) sides, record and document them.

Some violations have already been taking place. Posters are up everywhere before nomination day, with Annuar Musa greeting constituents Happy Aidilfitri and such. And according to the police they have dispersed quite a number of ceramahs that were held without approved permit.

Frankly, as a democrat, I am against restrictions on freedom of expression, so these limitations on posters or public seminars are quite unproductive, as it only fuels the government’s suppression of our freedom of expression.

However, the same cannot be said for other violations, for example, campaigning with government machinery or funds. We all know that certain quarters are manipulating mass media to the fullest. There are also dudes who travel in government vehicles in their campaigning. Another common violation will be buying votes with money from the public coffer. Minister of Lower Education, Datuk Hisham has given some bicycles to UPSR high achievers. Why at this time only in Pengkalan Pasir ? Lately, Umno and MCA are paying each outstation-based voter a fee if they come back to vote. Do they pay it out of national coffer or their own pocket ?

This by-election is especially interesting, because it’s in the state of Cik Siti Wan Kembang where both parties have acess to government machinery.

Earlier this year when I was in Cameron Highland. As it was Thursday, Kelantan’s weekend and the roads from Gua Musang to Kampung Raja had been completed, you see a lot of cars with Kelantan plates around. For example, a Majlis Agama Islam Kelantan’s Pajero in Boh tea plantantion, Habu, a Jabatan Pendidikan Negeri Kelantan car in the Kea Farm market, as well as a black Perbendaharaan Kelantan saloon near the night market in Brinchang.

Of course, they are not alone. Central government agencies’ cars are aplenty too. For example, Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat, as well as our good friend Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya that always reminds us to be free and fair.

If the president of the United States uses Air Force One for his personal or party matters, he will have to pay for it. My dear fellow Malaysians, do you want the same law for our leaders as well ?

Few years back, Likas had a by-election because Datuk Yong Teck Lee, the winner, was disqualified after found guilty of violations. Will we see the same for Pengkalan Pasir this time round ?

Remember Datuk Lee Chong Meng, the loser in Bukit Bintang, was made the MP automatically after the winner, Wee Choo Keong was disqualified ? What if both Umno and Pas candidates are disqualified this time ? Would Ibrahim al-Kataki emerge as the winner ? Hahaha :-)