An ordinary man's view on the 12th general election results

The results of Malaysia's 12th general election on March 8 were stunning,at least it is to me. The Barisan National no longer command 2/3 majority of the Parliametary seats which it did and was taken for granted for so long.It also lost control of 5 state governments which is unimaginable in the 50 years existence of Malaysia! I'm still in a daze up to this minute.After reading the analysis of many political observers I still can not fully comprehend what happened. Their theories on ideology,political leaning,religious preferences,economy,etc instead of clearing my mind but makes me more confused. As a simple Malaysian,I look at things like any ordinary man.Here are some of the things taking place lately that bothers me: (1)Rising crime rates:

• Snatch thieves: This category of crime was used to be considered minor case because the theives usually snatched neck-laces and the victims are not hurt except for minor scratches around their necks.Usually the victims did not report because they rather not go through the hassle of making a police report and forget about it. But now the thieves go for the victims' handbags slung over their shoulders.When they attack they pull suddenly at the victims' sling bags,causing the victims to fall flat on the floor,sometimes down staircase or from motor-cycles.Some of them sustain head injuries and lost not only their valubles but also their lives. These snatch thefts occur in busy streets in broad day light,and they got away and were never caught. The law makers have increased the punishment for this crime, but punish who if the wrong doers are never caught? The government seems helpless or plain indifferent towards this situation and offers the opportunity for the opposition parties to harp on this issue.Slowly the people start to believe the opposition parties have the solution and are tempted to give them a try.
• Unsolved murder cases:There were several well publishised rape cum murder cases remain unsolved.Some arrests were made but the suspects were soon released and not produced in court and no further follow ups are reported.The people begin to question the capablility of the police force to deal effectively with the crimes in this modern days.At the mean time there is a nagging question in everyone's mind,"Who will be the next unlucky one?" The fear is real and we Malaysians are living like herds of deers or rabbits wishing not to be picked by the predator to be their next prey!
• Murder cases involving public figure: (i)The Mongolian girl case in KL.This case links to an adviser to a very very prominant public figure in this country,the judicial system is dragging its legs right through the 12th general elections and is still going on.Maybe untill eternity,when it will be forgotten by the people. (ii)The fish monger vs ex-state mininster case in KK.It is an undenialble case that the ex-minister shot dead a person,yet he is still walking about freely on the street.This is really beyond everybody's reasoning power.Maybe this is another drag and forget case. (iii)The boy drowned in a swimming pool.This boy who came from China to live with his uncle,who is a Datuk, while furthering his study in KL, was found drowned in the swimming pool in his uncle's house.But autopsy revealed that it was no simple drowning accident,the boy sustained internal injuries before he was killed and thrown into the pool to appear as a drowning case.The uncle was arrested but was acquitted soon afterwards,another huge judicial puzzle.

(2)Judicial system losing credibility:

• A video clip showing a well known lawyer in the country speaking over the phone bragging that he has the influence over the outcome of the promotion of a senior feredal judge.This video clip has made the Malaysian judicial system the laughing stock of the international community.
• Increasing numbers of acquittal of serious cases.Several serious cases like murders,drug trafficing,fire arms and armed robberies are acquitted due to various reasons like improper prosecuting proceedures,insufficient evidence,etc.Sometimes it is the results of the negligence of the prosecuting officers or sometimes due to the exceptional leniency of the presiding judges.It may seem fair to the suspects,but is it fair to the victims or the families of the victims? Why are not these careless officers brought to courts for obstructions of justice? Barring them from promotions is not a punishment at all,in fact it is a reward for them.It is hundred times more lucative to stay in these posts than a promotion.

(3)Corrupted politicians:

• Zakaria's Istana:Datuk Zakaria Deros was the assemblyman for Port Kelang.He spent more than 10 millions ringgits to build a luxurious spacious istana-like bangolow in a low-cost housing estate,of all places,which irked his new neighbours.This quickly came into the national limelight,and more improprieties surfaced. How did he amass this kind of money? He had no proof of inheriting it from any rich relative,he was a poor railway gate watchman before joining politics. He was summoned by the Sultan of Selangor to explain in front of His Majestice and some how managed to get off the hook without a scratch,amazing! Then the Anti Corruption Agency called Datuk Zakaria for questioning and subsequently wanted to bring him to court for 39 charges.When the whole nation was eagerly waiting to see Datuk Zakaria to be thrown into jail,suddenly all 39 charges against him was dropped.Not a single token charge was brought against him,this guy was a real magician! He did not obtain any approval from the Town Council before starting constructions on this new house,but he quickly settled this problem because he himself,his son and his son's wife all sat in the Town Council! Can you beat it? And the question is: how can a Datuk,a State assemblyman qualify for a lot(few lots to be accurate) in a low-cost housing estate,which is reserved primarily for low income group? Besides, he owned a shop selling satay which is also built without obtaining approval from the Town Council.This structure was subsequently demolished by Town Council workers under public pressure.But the construction works on the "Istana" went on despite all eyes were on it. To top it all,it was reported that 60,000 quests attended his house warming party when the "Istana" was completed! The faces of many prominant political figures of the nation were seen in this party and the pictures were splashed all over the internet,what a launch(or rather,a downfall)! Many people pointed out that this sort of news would never be allowed to appear in the news during Tun Dr Mahathir's time.If it ever managed to sneak into the news,it would be quickly sniffed at its bud,unlike Datuk Seri Abdullah who allowed it to grow into a colourful full blossom over a period of more than 8 months.It is simply unbelievable.
• Said Yusof vs the Customs Department:Jasin Member of Parliament,Datuk Mohd Said Yusof, was reported in the news to have asked the Melaka Customs officers to "close one eye" while discharging their duties.Datuk Said admitted that he had interests in 2 barter trading ports namely,the Sungai Rambai and Kuala Linggi barter trading ports in Melaka.He was also operating a forwarding and shipping company through these ports.Therefore he asked the Customs to bend the rules in order for him to make handsome profits.When the officers reused to listen to him, Datuk Said blasted the Melaka Customs office in the Parliament for various alleged poor performance.The Customs responded by going to the press exposing Datuk Said's harassment of the officers.On the surface it seems a simple quarrel between 2 parties,but people suspected there were more untold stories behind this.

(4)Racial Dissatisfactions:

• This is no new story.The main source of dissatisfactions of minority ethnic groups namely, the Chinese and the Indians, is the New Economy Policy(NEP).The NEP appears a bit crazy in the eyes of people of other nations,because it divides the people of our country into 2 distinct categories,the Bumiputra and the Non-Bumiputra.
• The Chinese have come to terms with this segregation over the years, but not the Indians.They formed a group called HINDRA which claimed to champion the cause of the Malaysian Indians.They protested in processions and attracted worldwide attentions.
• Whereas the Malaysian Chinese are ultra sensitive over the education system of their children,especially their mother tongue.When they are tolerant over the abuses by some government leaders on other areas like business opportunies or employment in the civil services,but they will fight back in unison without hesitation if the survival of their mother tongue is threatened. They demonstrated this anger when a Chinese medium primary school was closed and moved to a new location because the original location was in a prime commercial area.The authority gave the reason for shifting the school was for the sake of the school children's safety,but nobody believed it.The Minister of Education promised to re-open the said school just weeks before the general elections,again not many believed him.

(5)Rising prices of commodities:

• The price of crude oil has sky rocketed thanks to President George Bush's attack on Iraq.This in turns has caused petrol prices all over the world to shoot up,Malaysia can not escape it too.The increase has being kept low by subsidy from the government,but the government had warned that the petrol price would have to rise soon because the country can not afford to subsidise it forever.However,the opposition parties, on the other hand, promised to bring the petrol price back to its original level if they were elected to form the next government.The temptation is hard to resist!
• The price of sugar has also gone up,the factories owners as well as retailers started hoarding in the hope of gaining a bigger profit in face of a bigger price hike.The result: nation wide shortage of sugar.And nobody heeds the government's warning against hoarding,and the authority is again helpless.
• The situation is the same with cooking oil and worse.
• Then the flour price sky-rocketed and subsequent shortage.
• Finally, the effect spreads to all commodities which are essential in everyone's life:bread,cakes,noodles,the list goes on....The leaders of ruling party couldn't do a thing,all they could say is,"it's a global thing".The opposition, on the other hand,promised the people a maricle,"bringing petrol price back to its old level,free university education for all,introducing a minimum wage at RM1,500.00.." The BN leaders just brushed it off as silly ideas.But the people bought it,and that is what counts.

The above mentioned incidents may appear to be insignificant taken individually,but the impact is tremendous if taken collectively. As a simple analogy: a loose nail on a zinc roof is no cause for alarm; but a loose nail here and a loose nail there,the whole zinc roof may be blown off one day! Look at what happened to the zinc roofs of Kedah,Penang,Perak,Selangor and Kelatan? Our PM was confident that his personal charimas will over shadow these "minor issues",but the eletions results proved how wrong he was. Pak Lah should make some adjustment to his "wait and see" policy on issues arising in the country.If he waits too long, small insignificant issues will grow into unmanagable big issues.

Polling Day : To-morrow!

The 12th Malaysia general election polling day is March 08 2008. All registered voters should exercise their most important right as a citizen in a free democratic country.Don't deny yourself this very important right.Go and vote. If you don't,all your hours of arguement in kedai kopi,living rooms and online forums are just waste of time and breath! This is the time for actions,not mere talks.