By Nur Aimidiyana Zuher
KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) -- The Barisan Nasional's (BN) decision to stay out of the Chempaka state by-election reflects the government's commitment towards prioritising the needs of the people.
UMNO, which had traditionally contested the seat, had based its decision on the ongoing efforts by the federal government to help the people of Kelantan, who were badly hit by the floods that ravaged the state at the end of last year.
Many, including Kelantan PAS, are viewing UMNO's move positively, as they feel it will enable both parties to concentrate on the post-flood clean-up and rehabitation exercise.
Unfortunately, certain opposition leaders are seeing it in a negative light, even insinuating that the no-contest decision by UMNO-led BN has unleashed a new era of politics in Malaysia, which, they claim, will be more peaceful if UMNO and BN stayed away from all elections in future.
PAS Information Chief Datuk Mahfuz Omar alleged that the involvement of UMNO in any election would only give rise to discord and conflict, and create an uneven playing field.
Why is the BN's decision drawing such pessimistic views, even to the extent of belittling UMNO's efforts at lending a helping hand to the hapless flood victims and uniting the rakyat?
CHANCE FOR GOVERNMENT TO SERVE THE PEOPLE
Several political analysts interviewed said any dispute or criticism arising from the BN's no-contest decision was unwarranted.
They felt that it deserved to be viewed positively because federal leaders would now have more time to serve the people.
Prof Dr Ahmad Atory Hussain, who is a lecturer with Universiti Sains Malaysia's (USM) Centre for Social Science Studies, said it was not something out of the ordinary if the BN chose not to field a candidate in a by-election.
"In May last year, BN took the same approach by not contesting the Bukit Gelugor by-election (in Penang).
"Years ago, PAS itself didn't field any candidate in Pekan, Pahang when Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's father, the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, passed away," he told Bernama.
On Wednesday, the Prime Minister announced that the BN would sit out the Chempaka state by-election so that it could focus on the post-flood rehabilitation works in Kelantan, as well as carry out efforts to strengthen the unity of the people.
The Election Commission has fixed the Chempaka by-election for March 22, while nomination day will fall on March 10. The seat was made vacant following the death of Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat of prostrate cancer on Feb 12.
RESPECTING NIK AZIZ'S LEADERSHIP
Political analysts also pointed out that although their political idealogies may vary, the Muslim community regarded Nik Aziz's demise as a great loss in view of the charismatic and exemplary leadership qualities he exuded as PAS Spiritual Leader.
Najib, when commenting on Nik Aziz's death, said the nation had lost a knowledgeable Islamic leader who had made vast contributions.
Ahmad Atory described the BN's decision to stay out of Chempaka as a mark of respect for the late Nik Aziz, who had held the seat since 1990.
During the 13th general election, Nik Aziz defeated BN's Wan Razman Wan Abd Razak with a majority of 6,500 votes.
While many see the no-contest move as proof that UMNO respects PAS, it is also an indication that the BN wants to maintain PAS-controlled Kelantan's harmonious political landscape.
Ahmad Atory said the federal government's commitment to press on with its flood relief works should not be seen as a ploy to win the support of the people of Kelantan, as both the federal and state authorities were tasked with the responsibility of taking care of the welfare and well-being of the people.
"It's better for the federal government, that is BN, to focus on post-flood rehabilitation efforts so that it will not have any guilt feelings. For sure, the flood relief works will be affected if it decides to contest the by-election," he said.
FLOOD COMMITTEE TO CARRY ON UNINTERRUPTED
Sharing Ahmad Atory's views was Asso Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian, a lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia's Centre for Social Science Studies, who said that the BN's decision was a strategic one as it would enable the government to concentrate on the post-flood operations in Kelantan.
Describing it as a good initiative, Sivamurugan said the joint committee which was established to address the post-flood problems in the state, could continue doing its work uninterrupted.
It could also, he added, be a starting point for further cooperation between the federal and state governments.
"This joint flood committee is a first for PAS and UMNO, and both were willing to set aside their differences in their political idealogies for the sake of helping the people," he said.
Sivamurugan said although the BN's choice to stay away from the Chempaka by-election may be perceived wrongly by certain leaders and supporters of the coalition, the decision was made in the best interest of the people of Kelantan.
"In politics, it's usual for people to talk behind one's back. They will say that UMNO and BN are not contesting because they're worried they may not get enough support. But people who say such things are frustrated and don't want to see PAS and UMNO cooperating.
"There's no question of them being afraid to contest in a seat held by the opposition, but it's just that UMNO and BN want to prioritise the interests of the people first, not politics," he said.
The Post-Flood Joint Committee was set up last year to oversee rehabilitation works in various parts of Kelantan, which were badly hit by the floods.
It is jointly chaired by Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob and International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, who is also Kelantan UMNO Liaison Chairman.
-- BERNAMA
KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) -- The Barisan Nasional's (BN) decision to stay out of the Chempaka state by-election reflects the government's commitment towards prioritising the needs of the people.
UMNO, which had traditionally contested the seat, had based its decision on the ongoing efforts by the federal government to help the people of Kelantan, who were badly hit by the floods that ravaged the state at the end of last year.
Many, including Kelantan PAS, are viewing UMNO's move positively, as they feel it will enable both parties to concentrate on the post-flood clean-up and rehabitation exercise.
Unfortunately, certain opposition leaders are seeing it in a negative light, even insinuating that the no-contest decision by UMNO-led BN has unleashed a new era of politics in Malaysia, which, they claim, will be more peaceful if UMNO and BN stayed away from all elections in future.
PAS Information Chief Datuk Mahfuz Omar alleged that the involvement of UMNO in any election would only give rise to discord and conflict, and create an uneven playing field.
Why is the BN's decision drawing such pessimistic views, even to the extent of belittling UMNO's efforts at lending a helping hand to the hapless flood victims and uniting the rakyat?
CHANCE FOR GOVERNMENT TO SERVE THE PEOPLE
Several political analysts interviewed said any dispute or criticism arising from the BN's no-contest decision was unwarranted.
They felt that it deserved to be viewed positively because federal leaders would now have more time to serve the people.
Prof Dr Ahmad Atory Hussain, who is a lecturer with Universiti Sains Malaysia's (USM) Centre for Social Science Studies, said it was not something out of the ordinary if the BN chose not to field a candidate in a by-election.
"In May last year, BN took the same approach by not contesting the Bukit Gelugor by-election (in Penang).
"Years ago, PAS itself didn't field any candidate in Pekan, Pahang when Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's father, the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, passed away," he told Bernama.
On Wednesday, the Prime Minister announced that the BN would sit out the Chempaka state by-election so that it could focus on the post-flood rehabilitation works in Kelantan, as well as carry out efforts to strengthen the unity of the people.
The Election Commission has fixed the Chempaka by-election for March 22, while nomination day will fall on March 10. The seat was made vacant following the death of Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat of prostrate cancer on Feb 12.
RESPECTING NIK AZIZ'S LEADERSHIP
Political analysts also pointed out that although their political idealogies may vary, the Muslim community regarded Nik Aziz's demise as a great loss in view of the charismatic and exemplary leadership qualities he exuded as PAS Spiritual Leader.
Najib, when commenting on Nik Aziz's death, said the nation had lost a knowledgeable Islamic leader who had made vast contributions.
Ahmad Atory described the BN's decision to stay out of Chempaka as a mark of respect for the late Nik Aziz, who had held the seat since 1990.
During the 13th general election, Nik Aziz defeated BN's Wan Razman Wan Abd Razak with a majority of 6,500 votes.
While many see the no-contest move as proof that UMNO respects PAS, it is also an indication that the BN wants to maintain PAS-controlled Kelantan's harmonious political landscape.
Ahmad Atory said the federal government's commitment to press on with its flood relief works should not be seen as a ploy to win the support of the people of Kelantan, as both the federal and state authorities were tasked with the responsibility of taking care of the welfare and well-being of the people.
"It's better for the federal government, that is BN, to focus on post-flood rehabilitation efforts so that it will not have any guilt feelings. For sure, the flood relief works will be affected if it decides to contest the by-election," he said.
FLOOD COMMITTEE TO CARRY ON UNINTERRUPTED
Sharing Ahmad Atory's views was Asso Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian, a lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia's Centre for Social Science Studies, who said that the BN's decision was a strategic one as it would enable the government to concentrate on the post-flood operations in Kelantan.
Describing it as a good initiative, Sivamurugan said the joint committee which was established to address the post-flood problems in the state, could continue doing its work uninterrupted.
It could also, he added, be a starting point for further cooperation between the federal and state governments.
"This joint flood committee is a first for PAS and UMNO, and both were willing to set aside their differences in their political idealogies for the sake of helping the people," he said.
Sivamurugan said although the BN's choice to stay away from the Chempaka by-election may be perceived wrongly by certain leaders and supporters of the coalition, the decision was made in the best interest of the people of Kelantan.
"In politics, it's usual for people to talk behind one's back. They will say that UMNO and BN are not contesting because they're worried they may not get enough support. But people who say such things are frustrated and don't want to see PAS and UMNO cooperating.
"There's no question of them being afraid to contest in a seat held by the opposition, but it's just that UMNO and BN want to prioritise the interests of the people first, not politics," he said.
The Post-Flood Joint Committee was set up last year to oversee rehabilitation works in various parts of Kelantan, which were badly hit by the floods.
It is jointly chaired by Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob and International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, who is also Kelantan UMNO Liaison Chairman.
-- BERNAMA
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