By-elections a necessary evil, say polls watch groups

PETALING JAYA: While it may seem to be a waste of public funds, by-elections are a necessary evil, said election watch groups.

Malaysian For Free and Fair Elections chairman Syed Ibrahim Syed Noor said by-elections are part of the democratic structure.

“I think it is costly but I guess that is the cost of democracy and it is the people’s right to vote. If someone died, we can’t just replace him with the next person,” he said, citing Bukit Gantang and Batang Ai by-elections as examples.

On the case of the Bukit Selambau and Penanti assemblymen who resigned from their positions, he said it was probably the “gentlemanly” way.

“It is part of the responsibility of the assemblyman. They didn’t brush aside the accusations but let the people decide.”

Malaysian leader says by-elections drain resources

Associated Press 2009-04-18 12:55 PM

Malaysia’s prime minister slammed the opposition Saturday after one of its lawmakers resigned, triggering another by-election that Najib Razak said was costly as the country grapples with the global economic slump.An opposition lawmaker in the northern resort state of Penang quit following unsubstantiated allegations of corruption. A date for the ballot to fill the seat will be decided soon.

It will be the sixth by-election since March 2008 national polls. Najib’s National Front coalition is expected to come under pressure after the opposition won four of the previous five by-elections.