Hulu Selangor MP passes away

PKR's Hulu Selangor member of parliament Dr Zainal Abidin Ahmad, 71, passed away this evening paving the way for a crucial by-election in the Pakatan Rakyat-ruled state.

Zainal Abidin (left), who succumbed to brain cancer, passed away at about 9.30pm at his home at along the ninth mile, Jalan Cheras, Kajang, according to Bernama.

Zainal Abidin was the former Selangor deputy menteri besar.

According to election laws, a by-election must be called for the constituency within 60 days after the Dewan Rakyat speaker announces a casual vacancy.

This will be the country's 10th by-election since the 2008 general elections.

Zainal's death comes at a time when PKR is reeling from the departures of three of their MPs and the sacking of a fourth.

Nevertheless, PKR is expected to announce its candidate for Hulu Selangor soon while Barisan Nasional is expected to field a candidate from MIC.

Litmus test

There are rumours that BN's backbone Umno is also eyeing the seat lost by MIC deputy president G Palanivel by a wafer-thin majority of 198 votes in the 2008 general elections.

Palanivel fell victim to the political tsunami which swept Malaysia resulting in MIC losing 18 of its 28 seats, where almost all its top leaders, including party president S Samy Vellu, were trounced.

This will be the opportunity that Palanivel is looking for to make a political comeback. Should he win, Palanivel is likely to replace party vice-president Dr S Subramaniam in the cabinet.

Subramaniam, who is human resources minister, is currently the sole MIC representative in the cabinet.

Will HRP join the fray?

All eyes will also be on the newly-formed Human Rights Party led by former Hindraf ISA detainee P Uthayakumar.

The Indian-based party has made known its intentions to make its electoral debut in that constituency.

For PKR, Hulu Selangor will be a litmus test for the party's de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim and party-anointed Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim.

Anwar is currently on trial for sodomy charges while Khalid's leadership in Selangor has been the subject of intense attacks from within and without.

PKR will also have to face the tough choice of whether to field an Indian or Malay candidate.

Both Anwar and Khalid are due to visit the constituency tomorrow night and will be speaking at the Stadium Mini Kuala Kubu Bahru at 8.30pm.