‘Bukit’ a jinxed word after what has happened to reps
Eileen Ng, New Straits Times
THE latest joke in town is that elected representatives whose constituency name contains the word "bukit" are having sleepless nights.
Can't blame the "bukit" MPs or assemblymen for feeling uneasy as two bukit — Bukit Selambau in Kedah and Bukit Gantang in Perak — will be seeing by-elections on April 7, while a huge question mark is hanging over the fate of Bukit Lanjan.
Since the appearance of some semi-nude photographs of Bukit Lanjan assemblywoman Elizabeth Wong last week, she had offered to give up the seat as well as the post of executive councillor in the Selangor state government, fuelling talk of a by-election.
The rumour mill started churning even faster when the Election Commission said it was prepared to hold simultaneous by-elections for the three "bukit" seats, including Bukit Lanjan, if the last is vacated.
However, PKR vice-president Azmin Ali insisted the question of a by-election did not arise as no resignation letter had been submitted by Wong to the party and the state assembly.
Speculation is rife that Wong's present trip overseas is a tactic to delay the probable resignation, given that she had insisted repeatedly she wanted to quit all her posts since there were rumours of more incriminating pictures and a lewd video.
So, why is PKR appearing to be reluctant to go into a by-election in Bukit Lanjan since it is reckoned that it could win easily?
There is already strong public support for Wong, who is perceived to be a victim of a political conspiracy, and the former human rights activist is a popular figure in the largely non-Malay urban middle-to-upper class constituency.
In last year's general election, first-timer Wong captured the seat with a 5,155 majority against BN's Datin Paduka Yong Dai Ying — the second highest majority won by a PKR state representative in Selangor.
Observers believe it has to do with PKR trying to stall for more time due to its limited resources.
"Our resources are limited and we are already stretched by the two by-elections," said a party insider, referring to Bukit Selambau and Bukit Gantang.
It also has its hands full dealing with the current political imbroglio engulfing Perak.
In Selangor, the party has to prepare for the fallout that would ensue if Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim is hauled to court on corruption charges.
PKR must also be vigilant against more crossovers of its elected representatives to the Barisan Nasional.
As a result, PKR would be hard-pressed to face another by-election, no matter how good its chances.
Most importantly, Pakatan Rakyat does not want to jump the gun until Khalid gets feedback from Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah on Wong's situation.
With accusations of being disloyal and disrespectful still ringing in their ears as a result of the Perak fiasco, the party has learnt its lesson by treading carefully on royal ground.
At the end of the day, whether a by-election is called in Bukit Lanjan will depend solely on Wong.
