Umno needs to do a reality check if it still harbours the thought that it has the people's support, despite its defeat in Permatang Pasir.

The winds of change have yet to blow although the nation is led by a new prime minister. Surely with Najib Razak helming the nation, support should somehow increase. It's not happening.

If Umno, the self proclaimed defender of Malay rights in this country, does not enjoy the confidence of its own community, how can it expect to woo the non-Malays even with help from coalition partners?

By-elections are good indicators of people's opinion of the regime in office. Unlike before where BN candidates won hands down, this time around people are favouring the opposition candidate.

Even if by-elections are held in Chinese majority areas, don't expect the MCA and Gerakan candidates to retain the seats as Chinese and Indians voters, like their Malay counterparts, are still behind the so-called alternative government.

Sabah and Sarawak MPs and state assemblypersons need to assess their role in BN. Without Umno forming a strong federal government, it will be suicidal for them to remain in the coalition.

One cannot discount the possibilities of their MPs jumping ship in the near future if these lawmakers feel that BN is a sinking ship without a good captain leading them out of their political storms.

The present regime cannot use government machinery to destroy their political opponents as people will punish them comes the next polls if they see the government using underhanded methods to keep opposition at bay.

Come elections, anyone, rich or poor, old or young, can make a difference even with just one vote.

Coming back to Permatang Pasir, the Umno candidate for the by-elections seems to have a lot of skeletons in his closet which worked against him.

How can Umno have failed to screen his credibility?

Umno needs to do a post mortem on this blunder, and possibly remove the chief of Penang Umno for his failure to ensure a clean and trustworthy candidate runs for office.

Surely you don't expect people who had committed fraud to represent the people? There are enough immoral politicians already in office. Winds of change blowing back to BN? Not by a long shot if the present government still does not learn from its past mistakes.