UMNO was in a state of denial, and purportedly claimed that they were not rejected by the people during the General Election held 8 March, 2008.Those been rejected, as claimed by UMNO’s leaders, are the other Barisan Nasional’s component parties, i.e. MCA, MIC and Gerakan.

Finally, the fact speaks for itself.

Barisan Nasional, or indirectly UMNO, had lost in the by-elections consecutively for four times, in the last twelve months.First, it started with the by-elections in Permatang Pauh, Penang. Keadilan’s Anwar Ibrahim won the parliament seat, with a greater majority from 13,398 to 15,671, defeating UMNO’s Arif Shah.

Well, we can claim that Anwar Ibrahim is a four-term parliamentarian at that constituency therefore it is not a surprised if Anwar Ibrahim won it with a greater majority.Then, it continued at the by-elections in Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu. PAS’ Mohd Abdul Wahid Endut won the parliament seat with a majority of　2,631 where they lost in 2008 with a marginal of 628 votes, defeating UMNO’s Wan Ahmad Farid.

Well, we have witnessed 3,359 voters in Kuala Terengganu who previously support UMNO but now agreeing with PAS.And the defeats are continued in Bukit Gantang, Perak. Mohammad Nizar retained the parliament for PAS with a greater of majority from 1,566 to 2,789, defeating UMNO’s Ismail Saffian.

Further, UMNO lost indirectly in Bukit Selambau, Kedah, a Malay-dominant state constituency which contested by MIC. Keadilan’s Manikumar defeated MIC’s Ganesan with a greater majority from 2,362 to 2,403. If it is not because of the 13 independent candidates collectively garnered 1,312 votes, the majority obtained by Keadilan in Bukit Selambau may be greater.

The above constituencies have things in common: Malay-dominant-rural-constituencies. They used to be ‘stronghold’ of UMNO, except Permatang Pauh.These consecutive defeats suffered by Barisan Nasional, or specifically by UMNO, are not ‘coincident’ or ‘isolated’.

The message from the voters, especially from the Malay’s rural voters, is clear and loud. But, will UMNO learn from the mistakes?

by Clement Ong
Gerakan4u.com’s News Editor