The Permatang Pauh by-election has rightly earned its reputation as Political Tsunami II.

It has not only confirmed that Political Tsunami I - the general election on March 8 – was not accidental, but has also established beyond doubt that Pakatan Rakyat will be a far superior political force than Barisan Nasional (BN) in moving Malaysia out of the quagmire of economic malaise and political shambles.

Contrary to the BN leaders’ cavalier reference to Permatang Pauh as “just another by-election”, it is in truth a battle royale between the two protagonists.