If March 8, 2008 marked the shattering of the myth of Barisan Nasionals invincibility, May 18, 2009 the day the once formidable coalition declined to contest a by-election may well go down in history as the beginning of the coalitions end.
This is the prognosis of PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim who in remarks made to Malaysiakini today expressed surprise that although BN had earlier signaled a reluctance to contest, it has elected to go with its instincts and sit out the by-election.
They say perception is everything in politics so this decision not to contest cannot avoid being perceived as the BN finally acknowledging it is beaten in what can be regarded as its heartland, opined Anwar.
