IN KUALA LUMPUR

WHAT is the most dangerous occupation in Malaysia? Is it firefighter, construction worker or elephant trainer?

Judging by the past year, the answer seems to be lawmaker.

Since the March general elections last year, there have been three deaths among lawmakers, paving the way for three by-elections, in addition to a seemingly endless wave of other by-elections that have come about for various  reasons apart from death.

The Member of Parliament for Kuala Terengganu in Terengganu state, Datuk Razali Ismail, 59, who was also the Deputy Minister of Education died in November after collapsing while playing badminton in Genting Highlands.

Opposition legislator Roslan Shaharom, 50, of Perak's Bukit Gantang seat, died of a heart attack in February, as he attempted to cycle to a pharmacy after complaining of chest pains. His car was being washed.

The latest death was that of Sarawak assemblyman Datuk Dublin Unting Ingkot, 55, of the remote Batang Ai constituency. He died early on Tuesday due to a stroke after having been in a coma for many months.

The large number of deaths since March seem rather unusual, prompting internet chatter that the last general elections was cursed or jinxed in some way.

Indeed, this would seem to be the most prolonged election campaign ever, stretching out for more than a year by the time the Batang Ai by-election takes place.

A by-election must be held within 60 days of a seat being declared vacant. The Sarawak poll must be held by April 24.

Politicians, political aides and journalists alike are suffering from election fatigue while hotels and restaurants are laughing all the way to the bank due to the block-bookings every time there is a by-election in an otherwise sleepy little nook or corner of the country. 

Over the past four years, there have only been an average of 1.5 by-elections every year. In total, there have been six by-elections between 2004 to 2008.

In contrast, three deaths in one year is double that figure. One can only wonder, somewhat morbidly, as to who will be next.

One reporter remarked to me: "I bet there are lots of MPs out there rushing to get health checks."

Indeed, it might be a good idea for them to avoid strenuous exercise such as tennis and rock-climbing.

Other by-elections that have taken place in the last year or are scheduled for later this year include that of Permatang Pauh in Penang in August which was called after opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's wife Wan Azizah Ismail stepped down to make way for him.

In Kedah, Bukit Selambau, a by-election will take place on April 7 after Parti Keadilan Rakyat assemblyman V Arumugam quit over accusations of bigamy.

Two other by-elections could take place in the remote seat of Pensiangan, Sabah amid a dispute over the results last year, and in Bukit Lanjan, Selangor after PKR assemblywoman Elizabeth Wong resigned following the emergence of photos of her in the nude.

Malaysians are bracing themselves for more by-elections to come.