In a show of solidarity, DAP has assured the people that they need not worry over the orchestration of the Kajang by-election as it is neither "a waste of public funds nor a betrayal of their trust" on the part of PKR.

DAP national chairperson Karpal Singh explains that a by-election is a "barometer" to gauge if a federal or state governments continue to enjoy the people’s mandate to rule.

"Nine months have passed after the general election. The (federal) government should be prepared to subject itself to scrutiny in a by-election.

"I cannot see a reason why BN leaders are complaining. Waste of public funds is being given as the main reason.

"On the other hand, an expense of RM2 million in the by-election is worth the price for testing whether Pakatan has the continued confidence of the people in Selangor, and whether BN has the moral authority to continue being in office at national level," he said in a statement yesterday.

Karpal explained that prior to amendments made to the federal and state constitutions in 1990, there had been nothing prohibiting an elected representative from resigning, and no five-year ban for said representative to contest.

“This amendments was included by then premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad to deter by-elections,” he said.

The amendments, he said, went against democracy as the elected representative who resigned could at one time choose to recontest as means of determining the people’s support.

DAP, PAS initially not in the know

The Bukit Gelugor MP added that the Kajang polls further accord the opposition alliance the opportunity to raise national issues such as price hikes, human rights violations and increasing crime rate, and for BN to defend them.

He had, two days ago, declared his backing of PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim's ( left ) candidacy for the seat, reportedly stating it was the latter’s right to do so, as he is already the Selangor economic advisor and that friction within the party must cease.

He also assured all Pakatan component parties have given the nod over the move.

Karpal's statement is aimed at quelling the storm which has arose from incumbent Lee Chin Cheh's resignation as Kajang assemblyperson last Monday.

Suspicions over the motives behind the move were heightened when DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng stated he, too, had been in the dark while Selangor PAS even said it was mulling boycotting the election campaign.

However, Lim and PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu later announced their support towards Anwar.