With the Dec 6 crucial by-election at Pengkalan Pasir in Kelantan, both PAS and BN are gearing up for a showdown.

Putera Umno has already stated their involvement by promising bicycles to those who got good grades in the UPSR. The wife of our deputy prime minister is also scheduled for an event. More BN bigwigs will be going and there is no doubt about it.

Meanwhile, Anwar Ibrahim has stated that he will be campaigning for PAS for the first time, which makes a change. Whether he is an asset or liability to PAS is yet to be seen.

Since he has openly stated his views for a Malaysian Malaysia and against the continuing of NEP, all fair-minded people, regardless of race, should support him. The NEP has been shown to benefit only those privileged few who are connected to those in power, and not those really in need.

If Pak Lah is serious about corruption, one of the matters which he should look into is the use of government machinery and facilities by BN leaders during elections.

Very clearly, Putera Umno's promise of gifts at this particular time is a form of vote-buying which our Election Commission should put a stop to. It should also scrutinise the misuse of government facilities in the run-up to the by-election.

If BN ministers, deputy ministers and parliamentary secretaries are really conscientious and have dignity and integrity, they should ensure that any trip to this constituency is borne by their respective political parties and not by the government. The people are watching.

Well, if Putera Umno is allowed to distribute bicycles during the campaign period, the best thing is to follow PAS Spiritual Leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat's advice of accepting whatever is given by Umno but voting for PAS!