The by-election in Pengkalan Pasir on Dec 6 is a chance for the public to assess the report card of the BN-government led by Pak Lah to see whether the election pledges he made during the last general elections have been fulfilled.

One cannot dismiss the significance of this by-election as a win by the ruling party might disrupt the wafer-thin majority of the PAS-led government in Kelantan. As usual, the BN will make full use of government machinery to campaign and its old mantra of bringing development will be its rallying call.

One cannot discount the possibility of the well-funded coalition using money to win votes among the younger voters or the undecided.

Maverick politician Ibrahim Ali, a former strongman of Umno could throw a spanner in the BN works if he stands for PAS. He has a lot of support from within both parties. This by-election will also be a test for Anwar Ibrahim to see whether his charisma and good oratory skills can swing more votes against the Umno candidate.

Overall, the by-election will be a barometer to assess whether the public is happy with the performance of BN after it won big in the last polls. Is the public happy with their elected representatives in parliament or are they unhappy with the corruption, abuse of power and rising prices?

The Kelantanese, with their streak of independence, I'm sure will not be cowed by the onslaught of media coverage and government figures who will descend on Pengkalan Pasir to try and paint a bad pictures of the PAS government in Kelantan.

How many PAS representatives have been caught for corruption and abuse of power as compared to BN ones should be a good selling points for PAS to retain the seat.