With the unexpected death of Manek Urai state assembly person Ismail Yacob from Kelantan, it will put Umno in a difficult decision. While the party has boycott the Penanti state seat as they don't want to dance to PKR tune, it will be difficult for them to sing the same tune in the incoming by-election as the circumstances are different.

Death of an incumbent lawmaker is different from those who resigned their seats for personal reasons. Kelantan is a PAS stronghold and with Barisan Nasional (BN) party suffering from a maelstrom of crisis and support from the voters are an all time low, the BN party will be hard pressed to wrestle the seat from their PAS rival, if BN enter the fray.

On the flip side, if BN decides to skip the coming by-election in Manek Urai, they will lose their credibility among voters. If BN decides to run and lose again, it will make the sixth time in a row the party had lost by-elections since the general election last year. BN is caught between the devil and deep blue sea in the upcoming by-election in Kelantan.

Surely, a ruling party needs to put their candidates in every nooks and corners in this country to show that they are popular among the ‘rakyat' and have the mandate from the voters to rule the country for another five year term. With all the government machineries and funds at their disposal, normally the ruling party will win hands-down in any by-elections held.

But how time has changed.

Uninterrupted power since independence has caused the ruling party to govern our country to be complacent. Corruption and abuse of power are commonplace, which made the public revolted. The historical March 2008 general elections had nearly caused the ruling party to be shown the door by disgusted voters who taught the ruling party a hard lesson not to take voters for granted.

Any by-elections held nowadays will only cause BN to be on the defensive as ground sentiment is still not in their favour. Surely BN cannot boycott the impending by-election in Manek Urai like what they had decided in Penanti.

People nowadays judged politicians on their deeds rather than what they say and if serving politicians cannot deliver their promises, it will be their last term in office regardless they are from the ruling party's or not.

Walk the talk will win votes rather than making empty promises. BN still has not reform the party and government for the better after more than a year in the office. Justice against corrupt officials moves at a snail pace in this country. It's frustrating to see those who had abused their power for personal gains remain free to enjoy their ill-gotten gain. People are calling for transparency and accountability but it seems to fall on deaf ears by those holding the fort.

Najib Razak, the new primer with his ‘1Malaysia' slogan failed to move the crowds to support his leadership just like his predecessors former slogan, "work with me and not for me and " Bersih , Cekap dan Amanah".

The impending by-election in Manek Urai will test the ruling party and the opposition strength on the ground. If BN loses again, it means that the beginning of the end of BN hegemony will present itself in 2012 when the 13th general elections would be held.

Even the ruling by the Appeal Court in favour of Zambry to be the rightful menteri besar of Perak had caused more anger and disappointment as voters expect politicians to give the mandate to them via a snap election.

Nothing seems to work right for Najib Razak. BN's small victory in Perak will only snowball public anger towards the ruling party and come the next general election, God willing, BN will be consigned to history. Mark my word for that.