I refer to the Malaysiakini report Najib dealt a blow in by-elections.

It was quite predictable and almost certain since the end of last year that Najib Abdul Razak would take over premiership soon.

This was, therefore, nothing new to the voters of the three constituencies where the by-elections were held recently as they would have had already made up their minds on their choice of who they wanted to elect.

The voters are more matured now and cannot be swayed easily by some foreseeable and/or predictable political events. They want politicians to respect their rights and do not want to be taken for granted.

The ‘postmortem and analysis' rhetoric of politicians and party leaders is a known feature after every election defeat. What's the use?

Did anything meaningful come out of all the previous ‘postmortems and analysis' done? Was the feedback taken in good faith and honestly used to rectify the mistakes?

It is not only what BN leaders said or did earlier that turned voters away from them but it is also what they are saying or doing now that is continuing to keep voters away from them.

An example is the proposal by an MCA leader for a second deputy prime minister's post and a second deputy president's post in the BN and that these two positions could be given to MCA as it is the second biggest component party in the coalition.

This proposal could have been given its due consideration and discussed or debated by the BN supreme council. All the BN component party leaders could have expressed their opinion either for or against the proposal and whatever the implications thereon.

Instead of that, as expected, it was ‘shot down' straightaway by Umno. No doubt, Umno is the ‘leader' in the BN coalition. But due regard must be given to proposals or suggestions presented by other coalition partners.

Any decision made must only be released or announced by the BN president.

The ‘1 Malaysia' concept seems impressive. But until and unless all the ministers, their deputies and all their officials understand it in its true sense and give their full support and commitment, it will just fade away as another ‘fancy term' and be soon forgotten by all the BN politicians.

What about the civil service? Do they really understand and fully subscribe to the ‘1 Malaysia' and ‘Performance Now' concept? Can they ‘walk the talk' and demonstrate their belief in it?

The electorate wants to see political leaders stop all the rhetoric. They want political and government leaders to deliver on promises made and produce the desired results.

Honest and trustworthy politicians who talk less and do more are what the electorate wants. This applies to politicians from both the ruling and opposition parties.