Sunday 24 February 2008

Malaysia General Election

In about two weeks' time, that is on March 8, eligible Malaysians will be going to the polls in the country's 12th general election to decide which party is going to rule for the next 4 years. Indications are that the current ruling party, Barisan Nasional (BN), is going to get the majority and the mandate to rule but at what magnitude of majority? A reduced two-third majority is much speculated as the country is now grappling with national issues like high fuel and food prices, security, education and a host of others. The recent blatant street protests by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) certainly does not help and would definitely have some impact on the votes.

Nomination for candidates for the various constituencies was held this morning at our local community hall and I happened to stay just a stone's throw away. This is a Sunday morning and, oh!, I thought I could catch up with my sleep for the week but my dream was shattered by the jeering and shouting of two huge crowd of people. And this is what I saw....





...the group from our current ruling party, Barisan Nasional (BN).

And these from the opposition parties,PAS and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)...





Their war cries this time around were rising fuel and food prices. And the alleged corruptions by the ruling party.

No! No! I am not align to any political parties, just an ordinary folk. But I have already made up my mine as to whom I shall vote for, given the circumstances and happenings in the past months. So, if you are a Malaysian reading this blog, do your part as a loyal citizen and exercise your rights through the polls. Not through anything else that disrupts the peaceful country we all enjoyed! So vote wisely!