Equally inappropriate – Tay Tian Yan

Pahang is also giving its people a day off for the upcoming by-election in Rompin. So, is election above management again here?

Most definitely. Equally inappropriate, equally acts of power abuse.

The actions of Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng should both come under open scrutiny for any breach of public interests.

Rompin by-election is a local matter. It concerns only the voters in Rompin, and it is totally up to them whether to cast or not to cast their ballots.

Outside Rompin, it should be business as usual for traders in Kuantan, factories in Pekan and schools in Temerloh.

Adnan's job is to manage his state properly so that commercial activities in the state are not disrupted to the least. He should make sure that factories still run smoothly and progress at schools unaffected.

The same goes for Lim. Penang is not that small but why there is only Permatang Pauh in his eyes?

Pardon me, but residents in both Penang and Pahang have more important things to attend to. They are not all about elections as the two gentlemen on top.

As the heads of their state administrations, these two people are still not very clear where their job functions and responsibilities are.

All that is inside their heads is how the votes are counted, and not how much their states will stand to lose if the entire states are closed for business for one full day.

Sure enough we all understand their anxieties. They are worried the voters cannot come out and vote and that is not going to do their parties well. So they need to resort to every tactic conceivable to promote voting.

The question is, if the voters do not intend to cast their votes, there is no way you can get them to the polling stations.

Instead of announcing a public holiday, why not think what puts the voters away. Not voting is itself a kind of attitude aimed at "voting" for their "intention of not voting" in making this decision.

This has nothing to do with an additional day off. Even with this facility, those qualified to vote in Rompin and Permatang Pauh may not report themselves at the polling stations. In its stead, they might make use of the holiday to get more rest.

This is a manifestation of "political lethargy" that has taken shape over time after a period of political over-excitement, such that the people have totally lost their intention to vote.

There used to be a time when emotions were repeatedly cooked up and expectations infinitely perked up in a way that became surreal and non-realistic.

After the election fever and back to real life, people begin to realise after some time that save for the differences in the logos of political parties, they are actually not much different from one another in one thing: the attitude of the elected reps.

Infighting, betrayal of once staunch allies, and wanton acts of their leaders.

Even hard core politicians agree: Barisan Nasional is hopeless and Pakatan Rakyat has changed. To ordinary citizens, such a perception is felt a dozen times stronger. How do we expect the voters to cast their votes decisively?

Even diehard fans have backed down. Many of them travelled hundreds of miles across the hills and rivers to go back to their hometown to vote in last general election.

They not only made sure their votes were counted in, they also did all they could to ensure their uncles and aunties were brainwashed to vote for the same party.

Their enthusiasm, nevertheless, pale by comparison today.

The chief minister and the menteri besar must be able to read the minds of their constituents. Declaring a holiday won't help. Do well what you are supposed to do! – Mysinchew.com