AS I SEE IT

The past:

Big win gives Malaysia's Abdullah mandate

The 2004 elections won by Barisaan Nasional was the biggest for any Political Party in Malaysian history. With a parliamentary majority of over two thirds, the multi ethnic Barisan Nasional coalition that UMNO heads can pass law uncontested.  This success was matched in polls for the state assemblies with Barisan wining 12 of the 13 states.  

This puts to rest the challenge of PAS in the Malay heartland states in the North and seemed to wipe out Keadilan.

Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, faced a recount in her seat, which was once occupied by her husband Anwar Ibrahim who is now serving a 15-year jail term for sodomy and abuse of power, and the party looked unlikely to win any other seats.

Current realities:

The Star said it all with its headlines “MALAYSIA DECIDES” a prophetic announcement of things to come. These Newspaper headlines says it all.

•           barisan suffers stunning blow.
  
•           Anwar’s daughter among shock winners.
  
•           Polls deal stunning rebuke to Barisan 
  
•            PM’s future bleak after poll shock.
  
•            Barisan loses two thirds majority.
  
•            Malaysian opposition claims Selangor.
  
•            Malaysian opposition claims Penang.
  
•            Malaysian Opposition claims Perak.
  
•            Malaysian opposition claims Kedah.
  
•            PAS claims Kelantan State.
  

The Future:

(as I see it).

The 2012 General Elections won by Pakatan Rakyat meant that for the first time in 60 years the Coalition of Barisan Nasional headed by UMNO was ousted from power. The overwhelming Parliamentary majority of 70% obtained by the Pakatan Rakyat in Parliament was the culmination of its efforts that begun in the 2004 election where it had then managed to show a respectable result by gaining control of five states from Barisan. However Barisan under Najib’s leadership manage to get back Perak by engineering defections from within the ranks of Pakatan Rakyat. In State election held a year later Pakatan Rakyat took back control of the State with an overwhelming majority ensuring a return to the status quo as at the General Elections.

The period between the 2008 and 2012 was  marked with the gradual erosion of popular support for the Barisan Nasional as manifested in the victory by the then opposition in numerous by elections held. Efforts were made by Barisan to stem this tide by changing its leader Najib for Mayuddin mid stream in 2010 but this had instead resulted in a steady flow of UMNO stalwarts to Pakatan Rakyat as those within UMNO sought to mend fences with leader Anwar Ibrhim and transfer alliances to Pakatan Rakyat in a bid to keep onside with the change of fortunes in Malaysian Politics.

These results brings into play a new dynamics of Politics without the racial divide, leaders within Pakatan Rakyat who are multi ethnic and unencumbered by the baggage of alliances formed through the convenience of money politics and vested interest. It will be interesting to see how this will be reflected in the days to come – in their choice of Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers and other appointments necessary for them to form the next Government.

That my friends would be the scenario of the next General Elections if we keep our faith with Pakatan Rakyat. Let us not lose our nerve. Let us not allow racial politics to come in between us and allow UMNO to divide and rule and most critical let common sense guide our aspirations for a Malaysia for all Malaysians.