Malaysian General Election 2008

I was not enthused at all by the election happening in Malaysia but when I read the feeds in the afternoon that Works Minister, Samy Vellu has been defeated, I started paying attention.


Another casualty was Shahrizat Jalil, who's the Minister of Women, Family and Community Development. I thought I heard a third casualty, Najib, but later found out that it was only a rumour. Fantasies played in my mind; what if the Deputy Prime Minister loses his seat? What will happen? Then I imagined Badawi.

I follow the Obama-Clinton presidential election as closely as the American Idol. I was glad that Danny Noriega, the guy who can't stop moving his head while talking, was out of the Idol run but hearing news of Samy Vellu being kicked out of the parliamentary seat was like what I felt when I first saw England covered in snow.

The area which I belong, Seputeh, is a stronghold of the opposition. I have profound respect to Teresa Kok who has again, won with a massive majority this time. Before you draw conclusions of my political leaning, I am actually neutral.

I first paid attention to Teresa Kok in 1999 when chauvinist pig, Sua Chong Keh, made a sexist remark on her. It was a story of sympathy transforming into election victory. I still couldn't forget what Sua said. By the way, does anyone know what happened to him?

Barisan Nasional (BN), remained as the nation's strongest political party that will still form the new government. However, this is the first time in history it has been deprived of a 2/3 majority needed to make legislation without consultation in any form, shape or size. It has lost 5 states - Penang, Kedah, Selangor, Perak and Kelantan - most of which are important economic powerhouse to the country. What does this mean? Loss in confidence by the business community? It's pretty telling how much those economic policies that were put forward were in fact resented by the business community in those regions. I think the message is clear. I didn't bat an eyelid when I heard about the casualty. I thought it was a tragedy waiting to happen and one that is long overdue; an erosion chipped away by its own arrogance!

Having said that, I do not entirely support the manifestos proposed by the oppositions as well. There were some plainly crass political rhetorics. An example: pegging petrol price to RM1.20 a litre if they come into power?!! Are these guys mad?! Are they not driving down the country to a $h!Tho73 or something???!!! They need to get out of it and make sense between subsidy, reality and fantasy!

So when I had two bad options to choose from, there are three ways about it - choose either, neither or together. I choose together. Either is dangerous, neither is personal irresponsibility but together is accountability. Choosing accountability will ensure the political parties keep each other in check at all times. I really don't want my country to screw up so that I still have a place to call home, when I return later.

This is a wake up call to BN. There is a new generation of Malaysians in the country. A generation of fresh blood hunters, feral killers who lack tolerance and can't wait to tear political leaders into pieces at the first sign of weakness. The latest polling result is a testament. The time that Malaysia is driven by arrogant and corrupt politicians is over. The people don't want to see another incompetent leader who is a shame to Malaysians! Zainuddin Maidin for example, has been booted out as a result of this. It's one thing if you can't "speaking speaking" in English but it's a serious issue if you can't portray yourself professionally whether you're in or out of the country. I don't know about other Malaysians but I found this so-called politician annoying! Worst of all, he's representing the views of Malaysians in an international news agency! Check out the vid...



First of all, this fight is no longer arbitrated by the same people who are cherry-picked by the members of the stronger ruling party of the day to undo the oppositions. If anything, technology or the internet has played a huge role in the success of the opposition. Youtube and mobile phone technologies have made it possible at all levels of communication and information for people to get their information. When I see the news in TV3, it's full of rubbish. It's a source of one-sided information. Alternative information are aplenty and can be easily found from elsewhere; email circulations, SMS or the Youtube - and you can cross-check between them if in doubt.

The failure of TV3 to be an independent source of information has made many Malaysians dump it and look for better sources elsewhere.

Secondly, the government couldn't have chosen a worse time to have an election. Global economic uncertainty, high oil prices, inflation, corruption and racial tension. There are so many past and present resentment that have not been resolved or just played down by the media. In fact, from the random emails that I read, I could feel there was already an air of resentment by the themes of "let's teach BN a lesson" or the Obama enlightenment "vote for hope, vote for change". Aren't these recipes for disaster?

Thirdly, the maturity of Malaysians were greatly underestimated. Whenever I watch the news in TV3, I can't help but to think if I had just tuned in to "Barney and Friends" on reports like "hey kids, those are bad people!", "they have crooked teeth like monsters..waarrrghhhh!!!" The fact that Badawi called for a snap election has already shown the level of confident that he has. That's what snap election is all about. You don't do that unless you know you will win!

Lastly, over confidence. I can only picture Samy Vellu licking his wounds right now, not a very befitting way to celebrate his 72nd birthday. But what I initially imagined was a pregnant woman who's over confident of her ability to play football half way through her pregnancy. Now she has a miscarriage.