Let’s forget about Barisan Nasional’s candidate for the Bukit Selambau constituency because there's no way the seat is going to them in he coming by-election.

Instead, focus on the four prospective candidates so far from Pakatan Rakyat.

First: PKR's candidate: Regardless of the PKR candidate’s background and track record in serving the community, PKR should not put forward a candidate for this by-election because two of their state assembly persons contributed to the loss of Perak to BN and another triggered this by-election at Bukit Selambau.

So they should just let the other Pakatan component parties put forward a candidate and PKR should rally and campaign behind that candidate.

Second: DAP’s candidate: The same goes for DAP as their Jelapang state assembly person became an independent and defected to BN, giving Perak to BN together with the famous PKR 2+1.

DAP should be there to support any candidate besides that of PKR’s and their own for the time being.

Third: Hindraf National Coordinator RS Thanenthiran: Hindraf contributed to Pakatan Rakyat’s victory in four states (Kelantan would always be a PAS county with or without Hindraf) and opened the eyes of voters throughout Malaysia.

Hindraf’s track record has always been one of fighting and struggling for the rights of Indians in the country but the Bukit Selambau by-election is for a public seat with voters from all races.

The Hindraf candidate RS Thanenthiran may not be suitable for this state seat. RS Thanenthiran will have to work to show voters that Hindraf can work for all races regardless of faith and religious backgrounds.

The best time for Hindraf to name its candidates for state seats will be at the 13 ^th general election. As reported in the newspapers, Hindraf self-exiled chairperson P Waythamoorthy and local Hindraf leaders have spoken to Pakatan de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim to make official their intentions.

Pakatan, therefore, should not give this seat to Hindraf as a ‘present’ for playing a role in the outcome of the 12 ^th general election. And it would be wrong to do so.

Penang Hindraf Deputy Coordinator Sanjeeviramah Subramaniam was quoted as saying that Hindraf should be rewarded with this seat. How wrong he is for even thinking about getting a public office seat as a reward.

The voters will and should punish Pakatan if any such actions take place. The candidate for the Bukit Selambau state seat should be a politically-involved individual who has been in one of Pakatan Rakyat's component party at least since March 8, 2008, working with the state government headed by PAS.

Fourth: Kelab Penyokong PAS member Jegadeeson Thavasu: A lawyer from Sungai Petani and a member of the PAS Non-Muslims Club in the state. Jegadeeson Thavasu had actively campaigned for the party and Pakatan candidates in the last general election.

He has also been known by PAS leaders as a candidate who will be able to get the support of all ethnic groups and he is the best person around so far to secure the Bukit Selambau seat for Pakatan.

The Malays will rally behind PAS and PKR for this man, the Indians will vote for him and the Chinese are just waiting to vote in anyone who is not from BN.

BN will have to think twice before spending millions of ringgit during the Bukit Selambau by-election to buy votes.

The previous by-election results favouring Pakatan should have taught them a lesson. Or did they?