Kuala Lampur, Nov. 27 -- Abdul Halim Sidek Gulam Hassan tried to get himself out of Silam's election, two days after he got into it.

Maybe he thought 596 candidates for Sabah's 73 constituencies was one too many, 595 is more symmetrical, divides fine with five and fulfils a secret Feng Shui requirement. Maybe he thought the other nine PKR candidates elsewhere had a better chance if he did not steal their limelight.

"To preserve good relations and harmony with our partner parties" was his explanation. Not sure he understands elections incontrovertibly hurt feelings, what 523 defeated candidates including himself experiencelatein the evening of November 29.

A good degree of good relations and harmony are disrupted by political contestati...