NOW that the Permatang Pauh by-election is over and the outcome known, I call on all Malaysians, especially those in Permatang Pauh, to forget their political differences and get on with their lives.

The voters of Permatang Pauh have chosen their representative in Parliament and, like it or not, all of us must respect and accept that decision.

From feedback from friends in Barisan Nasional and Parti Keadilan Rakyat who were there during the campaign period, I got the impression that not enough was done to ensure that BN stood a fighting chance to win the by-election. Friends in Umno said even the BN posters were old compared with the bright and shiny PKR posters. Small things like this do help to win by-elections.

PKR did what Barack Obama is doing now on his road to the White House. They spared nothing. They went all the way to ensure Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s victory. The end result was that Anwar won handsomely.

Knowingly or unknowingly, BN helped Anwar to win by having an ill-prepared campaign machinery. I hope it realises this and takes remedial steps.

MOHD GHAZALI, Penang

Source: NST – August 29, 2008