Elections determine who is in power but they do not determine how power is used.
— Paul Collier, British economist
Allow me to make my declaration on the coming 15th general election (GE15) very clear. The coming election is all about “them” (the politicians), nothing about “us” (the rakyat).
Why do I say so? Let me pose a few questions and you try your best to answer them, as honestly as possible. It’s also okay if you wish to sleep on your answers for a night or two before letting them go public.
There are three important questions which you must seriously deliberate with yourself or with others in a group.
One, do you honestly think that whoever wins GE15, whether it be BN/Umno, Perikatan Nasional, Pakatan Harapan or another smaller group, will change your life and mine for the better?
Two, with the political upheavals and uncertainties plaguing the nation over the past few years, do you think these same players (who were responsible for creating the mess we are in today) will be able to secure political stability in the country after GE15; that as soon as they are in power after the polls, we will all live happily ever after?
Three, did any of the three main coalitions or other smaller political groups taking part in GE15 offer any new dynamic plans of action or programmes for the nation and people that will earn our immediate trust and confidence in them to lead after GE15?
Oh yes, I have the answers to the three questions in my head for quite a while now and judging from my train of thought, as evidenced from my writing, my conclusion (read answers) should be pretty obvious.
However, it is not my intention to influence any of you negatively with my take on GE15. I am merely offering some serious food for thought, hoping that our voters will become a more discerning lot as we progress in our democracy; that is if we are still practising parliamentary democracy.
The other alternative is to digress and return to the dark ages. We cannot afford to continue allowing the blind to lead the blind. That will eventually lead to the destruction of the only nation we have proudly called home for the past six decades.
The onus, therefore, is on the voters to send self-serving, greedy and corrupt politicians packing at the ballot box. That alone is one good reason why our one sacred vote is considered so important.
So, why am I so disillusioned with politicians today and strongly believe that the election is all about ‘them’, nothing about ‘us’?
Consider this. Parliament was dissolved last Monday to pave the way for GE15 because one powerful guy wanted it that way.
Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and the court cluster have wanted early elections for a long time and finally, their wish has been fulfilled. How could one man – the Umno president – be so powerful that he could hold the government and the nation to ransom?
Amanah president Mohamad Sabu said it for all in a recent video when he denounced Zahid for forcing the elections upon the people during the monsoon season.
Mohamad alleged what we knew all along – Zahid wanted to return to power in order to resolve all his pending corruption charges.
So, isn’t GE15 all about Zahid, nothing about the people? By the way, how many MPs are there in Umno in the just-dissolved parliament? A mere 38 MPs out of the 222-strong legislature.
How could this ever happen in this country. Only 38 MPs could decide when to hold an election.
Where is the simple rule of parliamentary democracy where the majority rules and calls the shots? What is happening to Malaysia, folks?
We have now heard that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was forced to dissolve parliament because he had lost the support of Umno’s allies in the government.
This is probably true as Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has been getting very impatient with Ismail Sabri over the past few months.
So, we are not way off to conclude that Ismail Sabri dissolved parliament also to save his own skin. Again, it’s about ‘him’ (the politician), not the ‘people’. It’s possible that at this juncture, the prime minister has conveniently forgotten about the dangers posed by floods during an election.
Then, what about the opposition? Are they not prioritising their personal interests (plus their ego) over that of the needs of the people?
Firstly, leaders of opposition parties picked the prized ‘white’ seats for themselves first. Even the smaller opposition parties are doing the same.
Those keen to contest down the line have to settle (most grudgingly) for an unwinnable seat, somewhere next to ‘Timbuktu’.
Hello, isn’t this also an example about ‘them’, not ‘us’? Have I not said that there is really not much difference in the selfish, self-centred behaviour of politicians from both sides?
Seriously, need I say more on this subject?
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
