Another battle for popular vote has ended and as in any battle, there are winners and losers. This round has gone to the Pak Lah and the BN and they certainly seem to have won with a massive majority.

For their win, they garnered 64.4% of the popular vote and 198 out of 219 parliamentary seats, i.e. about 90% of all parliamentary seats. The alternatives, for their gallant effort, received 35.6% of the popular vote and 21 out of 219 parliamentary seats, i.e, about 10%.

To all the alternative candidates who have won and also all those who did not, I and all right-minded alternative supporters salute you all and say a big Thank You.

Thank you for taking part in the 11th general election and providing us an opportunity to vote for you. The very fact that you offered yourselves as candidates shows your concern for us voters.

Being aware of the uneven playing field, the less-than-unbiased Election Commission, the behemoth BN election machinery, the hostile media, the distasteful propaganda likely to be hurled your way and all the obstacles placed before you; should make all of us even more thankful that all of you have offered your services to be our representatives in Parliament.

Considering also that being a non-government MP is not exactly a thankful job and that there are no perks thrown in, should make all of you better appreciated.

The results of the 11th general election certainly does not reflect the effort put in and the sacrifices made by all of you and your families. But this is what happens with the first-past-the-post electoral system. Those who have not won this time do not despair, for whenever you are in the company of 100 voters, you know that 35 of them are with you.

What you offered this time around may not meet the requirements of a majority of the electorate but never give up. A battle may have been lost but the good fight must continue.

From now onwards, it is the time for soul searching and all the re's - recuperating, re-energising, reflecting, rethinking, revamping, reorganising, rejuvenating, reinventing, regrouping, repackaging, re-affiliating, re-fortifying, reestablishing, reforming and remodelling.

When the 12th general election comes around, you will all rebound and may be better armed to meet the needs of the electorate. Best wishes in all your endeavours and 're's', and continue fighting the good fight for all of us.