‘The PM is right that this not the time for another by-election. Therefore the BN should show its commitment to reduce politicking by announcing that it will not contest the next by-election.'

On Najib: Not the time for another by-election

KS Deol: I somewhat agree with Prime Minister Najib that this is not the time for another by-election.

However, since the election is inevitable now because the current assembly person finds himself not able to carry out his duties effectively and has expressed a desire to concentrate on other matters, I have a suggestion.

I suggest that BN shows its commitment to reduce politicking in the country by announcing that it will not contest this by-election.

Hopefully, independents will stay away too and the nation will be spared the millions of ringgit of public money that will be needed to carry out this by-election.

Also our ministers and deputy ministers will be able to focus on their tasks instead of having to take a 14-day break from their vital responsibilities.

I do understand that residents of Penanti may not be too happy with this because they would be denied the windfall of development money and other ‘incentives' if BN decides not to take part.

But that should be something every area and citizen in this country should receive irrespective of whether there is a by-election or not.

It's a tough decision for Najib but I hope he will find the strength to make the right one and save the nation's resources during these trying times.

Yum: No, sir, Najib, sir. The people want to have deliberate by-elections all over Malaysia.

You see, sir, Najib, sir, the largesse you have been spreading in by-elections past is just the tonic the local economy needs, rather than some half-baked stimulus plan.

We could have gotten us some of those largesse for Bukit Lanjan if only...oh, well, no stimulus in return for Eli Wong is just as good.

Michael:

'It is not the time for another by-election as the nation should be united in focusing on solving the global economic crisis', so he said.

But in reality, since when did they care about the economy? They were busy talking about the 'principle' - the principle of grabbing a state government and refused to accept the fact that the country was in deep recession.

What they do know is how to use a lot of the rakyat's money to prop up the stock market which at the end of the day does not benefit the broad economy.

We are still waiting for the implementation of the first stimulus package tabled not less than seven months ago. It is nothing but 'pure talk'. Mind you, ‘pure talk' cannot save the economy.

The number of by-elections in such a short span of time deserves a place in the 'Guinness World of Records'.

The MACC should also work doubly hard to charge the cow-donor as soon as possible in order to have a parliamentary and state by-election simultaneously with Penanti.

And finally, may I ask, who started all this mess in the first place?

Peter Ooi:

My first question to Najib is whether he is sincere in his comments on impending by-election in Penanti?

If he is honest to himself and the rakyat, he would not have condoned and supported the crossover of the three ADUNs in Perak, two of whom are suspected to be on the take.

Isn't he selfish when he accepted those three into the BN folds just to take over Perak? Look at the mess Perak is in.

If Najib has the heart for Perakians, he should be the first to condemn such crossovers. Now that Perak is safe in BN's hands , he starts to preach principles. Does he really have them?

Vastu Raman:

Yes Mr Najib, I agree with you that nation should be united and focus on economic recovery.

Then the simple decision you must make is, tell your corrupted party members that you have decided not to field an Umno candidate for the Penanti by-election.

By doing that, you can save millions of ringgit for Malaysia. Dare you to take the decision?

If no, then you shall ask your deputy to sleep less and work harder to win the people's heart in Penanti.

Tpm 476: Blame it again on the opposition. How convenient for Najib to do so. For months or rather years, we have been shouting that a recession will hit us.

Yet the government has been saying 'Oh no, no, it wouldn't hit us at all'. Finally, at last I would add, you are admitting we will be hit by the recession.

As a common man-on-the-street working to survive everyday, I find this blaming to convenient. Firstly, why now acknowledge Malaysia is in economic trouble? Secondly why blame PR?

What are you trying to hide? Is it because of the recent losses in the by-elections so you choose to use this excuse to cover up your fear, the fear of losing again to PR?

Even if we are supposed to be focusing on restoring the economy, why now? Why not earlier, before the recent by-elections ?

If you were serious about it, you could voiced this out way before the tri-elections. This is like killing three birds with one stone - demonise the opposition, acknowledge that we are hurt by the recession and a good excuse not to hold a by election in Penang.

However, with one exception, you didn't hit any of the birds.

Arion Yeow:

Call it shallow thinking or short on foresight but I believe the public does not share Najib's opinion.

I believe most are still waiting for their MP/state assembly person to die/quit/fall sick/go missing/get arrested so BN will pour money into their constituency in another by-election.

CH Siew:

Only one thought comes into my mine - Najib is on a losing streak and he cannot bear to go through this even one more time.