Campaigning at Permatang Pauh for both political rivals, the evil Barisan Nasional (BN) and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) has officially ended.

While baby Clarisse was taking an afternoon nap, a long one too at 2 and a half hours, I managed to catch up on quite a lot of news about the mother-of-all-election although my husband and family filled me in on the highlights.

Reading about some of the tricks BN has resort to in this by-election is sickening.

Saiful and Najib’s swearing on the al-Quran claiming they speak the truth. The former swore getting sodomised and the latter denies being linked to murdered Mongolian beauty, Altantuya Sharibuu. Playing with God’s name in attempts to garner political votes and bring down Anwar Ibrahim. Also, UMNO’s Tajol Rosli of Perak is fooling around with swearing too. Silly, if you ask me. Are we living in medieval times? I dread to imagine one day imams can replace lawyers in Malaysian courts to dish out justice.

Perpetual liar, our very own prime minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (Pak Lah) again proof his forte by announcing a 15-cent reduction in petrol prices. Barely a month after confirming petrol prices won’t budge until Sept 1 review is carried out. When Pak Lah opens his mouth, you can safely assume the opposite. His trackrecord speaks volume to back my claim.

Of course, the whole BN regime is denying the 15-cent petrol price reduction is to sway Permatang Pauh votes. Hey, reducing petrol price is the best strategy to soothe voters’ feelings. Don’t be a hyprocrite, just admit it. I’m all for it. The bigger the reduction the better. However, I wonder if BN chooses to use this strategy for the by-election, why settle for a measly 15-cent? Reduce by at least 30 cents so that we can feel the difference. A 15-cent reduction is nothing, I tell you. Fill up your tank if you don’t believe me.

Najib announced Permatang Pauh voters would benefit from fundings for Chinese vernacular schools and scrap metal licenses for Indians. IF, they vote for BN. MCA’s Ng Yen Yen is handling out money in the open and telling residents to vote BN. Permatang Pauh residents can even gamble legally to win hundreds of dollars if Anwar wins by a significantly reduced number of votes. Tell me these are not downright vote-buying. I don’t believe Permatang Pauh voters, and Malaysians in general, are so myopic anymore to fall for BN’s carrot dangling act. Oh, and why stereotype Indians when talking about scrap metal licenses? Sooo insulting.

The election committee is up to no good again. Hundreds of registered Permatang Pauh voters in a gazette list tabled in June is missing. Tomorrow’s election will also see Phantom Voters coming in droves, mark my words. Expect a dirty, if not the dirtiest election Malaysia has ever seen as BN will go all out to prevent Anwar Ibrahim from entering Parliament. Having said this, even if Anwar wins Permatang Pauh, the sodomy allegation remains a lethal BN weapon to gun down Anwar’s chances of ever becoming Prime Minister.

Here’s hoping Anwar wins Permatang Pauh and sent shivers down UMNO’s spine, granted they have one. My family and I are anxiously anticipating the showdown in less than 12 hours. Fingers crossed for the sake of a better Malaysia.