Several superficial comments have been made by shallow minds regarding the Permatang Pauh by-election. First, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail was criticised for having ‘betrayed’ the people and that her seat was being passed like a baton within the family as and how they like.

That she simply cannot resign her post for personal reasons. That she has ‘fooled’ the voters. That it was irresponsible and undermined the democratic process. That she could not lead the opposition.

That her effort was a desperate ploy to divert attention from the sodomy allegation. That Anwar’s attempt is a pre-emptive strike to leverage his political position. That Anwar is not a warrior for seeking a safe seat.

That the by- election is a waste of taxpayers’ money. That Anwar should keep national issues out of the by-election campaign. That he is making use of the people to achieve his political agenda and is not bothered if the people or the country is in disarray.

All these criticisms were voiced by Umno and its sycophantic partners. What leaky arguments! Not one of them merit a counter comment. All we can do is simply turn the table around and see how they all fit perfectly on the accusers.

They should know for they speak out of experience. Which leader among them did not have political agenda? Why are the people in the country in disarray? How can Anwar keep national issues out when he is after a national change?

When has taxpayers money been of concern when the petrol price has skyrocketed? Talking about leverage, was the delineation of the constituencies done without leverage? Wasn’t the sodomy allegation itself a pre-emptive strike?

Which BN MP will be willing to give up his/her seat at any price? Which one of them will ignore a safe seat? What responsible democratic process is there when votes are rigged and voters are ‘phantoms’?

Betrayal takes place when the judiciary and the police are biased and subservient to their political masters.

Wan Azizah is a woman of remarkable courage and a leader who knows self-sacrifice. Finally here is the clincher. Anwar is a warrior willing to launch a fair fight to gain the Permatang Pauh seat. There is no ‘passing of the baton’.

How can such an argument be levelled against them when the prime minister will simply pass the national baton (buck) to his deputy without any contest whatsoever in December and without any regard of what the people think and who they would like to have as the prime minister of their country?