The cow head is gone, and the holders of the cow head have mysteriously vanished. All of a sudden, those demonstrating against the relocation of a Hindu temple last Friday have become peace lovers fully respecting other religions!

The dust has finally settled in Pematang Pasir. What used to belong to BN, remains in BN's possession. And what used to belong to Pakatan Rakyat, remains Pakatan Rakyat's.

The state executive council (Exco) at its meeting Wednesday agreed to propose newly elected Permatang Pasir assemblyman Mohd Salleh Man as the president of the Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAIPP).

As expected, PAS candidate Mohd Salleh Man won the Permatang Pasir by-election. With a lower turnout of only 73.1%, he defeated BN's Rohaizat Othman with a majority of 4,551 votes, or a support rate in excess of 65%.

Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said it was not fair if the prohibition for campaigning and canvassing was only followed by the Barisan Nasional (BN) while the opposition was glaringly flouting the ruling.

Universiti Sains Malaysia's (USM) political science lecturer Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said PAS' reduced majority was due to less number of people voting as polling was held on a working day.

PAS retains the Permatang Pasir state seat when its candidate Mohd Salleh Man received 9,618 votes compared to 5.067 votes garnered by BN candidate Rohaizat Othman. Majority was 4,551 votes.

Mohd Salleh, 52, defeated Rohaizat Othman, 38, of the Barisan Nasional (BN)by polling 9,618 votes to win by a majority of 4,551 votes.

"I met him but it was in connection with work in parliament, not personal," he told reporters after voting at Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Penanti in the Permatang Pasir by-election Tuesday.

Maslan said 961 phantom voters were detected in Sama Gagah, 95 in Permatang Ara, 284 in Permatang Pauh, 142 in Bukit Indera Muda, 216 in Kampung Pelet, 329 in Kubang Semang, 74 in Tanah Liat Mukim 8, 1,181 in Kampung Cross Street 2 and 414 in Permatang Tengah.