It must be one if not the most expensive by-election in Malaysia. Goodies, goodies and more goodies for the people by the Barisan Nasional (BN)-led Federal Government and the Pakatan Rakyat (PR)-led Selangor State Government.
Its a big bonanza for the once-quiet electoral district of Hulu Selangor, they name it and they got it from both governments. Money is not a problem.
For most people, it was simply a big fiesta attended by VVIPs and not forgetting, free makan here and there.
Mosques and temples, Chinese and Hindu, benefitted from the sudden generosity of Putrajaya and Shah Alam, Chinese and Tamil schools were not forgotten, it's giving time and can we blame the rakyat for asking?
Big guns including statesman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who said earlier that he will not be going to Hulu Selangor to campaign for the BN, was asked to do so to ensure support for the youthful BN candidate, P. Kamalanathan and so did Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and several members of his Cabinet. Najib's deputy, Muhyiddin Yassin is the BN's chief on the ground and temporarily 'embedded" in Hulu Selangor.
PKR's Zaid Ibrahim, a former BN Cabinet minister and ex-Kelantan UMNO divisional leader, is not an easy meat to chew. His past (or present) image was under attack and the party had to summon Kelantan MB and PAS spiritual leader, Nik Aziz Nik Mat to help 'clear' his name, morally that is.
Other big names from the PR camp that went down to campaign were its de-facto leader, Anwar Ibrahim, DAP strong man Lim Kit Siang and Selangor MB Khalid Ibrahim.
The Hulu Selangor by-election is equally crucial for both parties - the BN and PR - to boost not only their images but also their political strategies to face next general elections and not forgetting the Sibu by-election next month.
Who will win will only be known later this evening, most probably around 10 pm.
As for the people of Hulu Selangor, they are the real winners, no matter which party wins the by-election.
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