Permatang Pauh By-Election - Reject Money Politics!

The campaign for Permatang Pauh by-election is now into its 5th day, getting sizzling hot and tense as it moves on, with both BN and PR poised to get the best out of it!

As in everywhere (in Malaysia), issues of interest crop up almost everyday to throw the constituency into a state of frenzy. Nonetheless, all these have added topics to daily market talks.

Amongst all, one age-old trick is vote-buying which particularly holds my attention. In a broader sense, this is money politics!

Lee Kuan Yew, former Singapore prime minister, put it most aptly that money politics is simply the code word to buy votes to gain power and later recoup expenses for next round of vote-buying.

Lee was quoted as saying the above at a gathering in celebration of Singapore's 43rd National Day on August 16.

Now Minister Mentor of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew further said that the political problems faced by many countries in Asia are due to money politics. "But the similar problems did not take root in Singapore because the nation has a Division One team in charge," Lee concluded.

Lee did not make any specific reference to any Asian nations in his address. But, by all honesty, money politics is a prevalent political problem in Malaysia. Lee did not name our dear nation, but his points are most relevant to us.

Permatang Pauh by-election is again plagued with prevailing doubts over money politics. The electorate should stand firm to reject the political trick altogether!

The picture shows the campaign in full swing.