Firstly, hearty congrats and thanks once again to all those who worked so hard for the victory.
Let’s try to put our analytical hats back on.
One of the many beauties of numbers = they can mean anything.
I don’t think we have the data collecting capability to really determine what any single factor caused the election results (I feel such social phenomena are ‘overdetermined’ – caused by too many factors to accurately isolate). Thus, my interest in the whys are less than my interest in the what’s nexts.
The crowds seem to be pointing their fingers at Najib, which I suppose is fair.
I wrote some time back that the choice of candidate could make it easy for him and his lackeys to blame Abdullah, but judging by the early responses, the crowd doesn’t seem to buy that line.
His one upshoot is that he has one less Abdullah man in Parliament to deal with, should he truly ascend.
It still sounds like most of the higher ups knew what the outcome was going to be. Abdullah, who made appearances in Ijok and I think Permatang Pauh, wisely stayed far away from this one – perhaps happy to watch Najib fall on his face.
All in all, one of the best of the many positive after effects of KT for Pakatan may be increased infighting within Umno. In our wildest dreams, we may even find Abdullah and gang using this to severely undermine Najib and his plans to ascend (don’t forget, the Altantuya trial is back on! Nobody knows what those guys may say).
Pakatan can also spin the number 2,631 to mean all manner of bright and rosy things. It’s tough to argue with victory. Most of all, we can expect great excitement for Sarawak and perhaps the potential by-election in Pensiangan.
The momentum comes at a good time. I’m sure many feared that the new coalition was flailing, especially post Sept. 16. Coupled with some Obamamentum this week, we can hope for optimistic sentiment for the longer view.
I’m not sure it’ll help too much in facilitating some much needed internal strengthening (Karpal and his sparring mates seem to have no interest in ceasing to belligerently state the obvious), but morale can be expected to be good.
The coup de grace of course, is if we see Anwar’s talk – unheard of in months – of defections, now complete with specific details of where they are from and now in a staggered instead of instant takeover form, come true.
Well, let us enjoy the victory, celebrate, break for New Year, then get back to working for change!
ps- did I forget to say Happy Ponggal? Happy Ponggal! :)
pps- Let us also welcome the Gaza ceasefire with hope!
VIVA PAKATAN RAKYAT, WELL DONE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS SHEER HARD WORK PUT IN BY EVERYBODY. PAS, DAP AND ANWAR’S PARTY AND NOT TO FORGET THE BLOGGING COMMUNITY. A STEP NEARER TO PUTRAJAYA WE HAVE TAKEN.
ONG TA KUT (MCA) WHAT SAY YOU ON THIS CONVICING WIN BY PAKATAN RAKYAT.
THE CHINESE ARE NOT AFRAID OF HUDUD LAW.
LIKE I SAY WHATEVER EXISTING LAW WILL NOT APPLY AS LONG AS YOU ARE A LAW ABIDING CITIZEN.
ONLY CRIMINALS OR PEOPLE WITH BAD INTENTION ARE AFRAID OF HUDUD.
EXAMPLE PEOPLE FROM BN UMNO MCA MIC GERAKAN WHO ARE WORRIED ABOUT LOSING THEIR HAND.
Haven’t popped round to say hi in a while, so I’m rectifying that this bright & sunny Sunday afternoon. You’re always a good buzz to read, Nat, thanks. Big astral hug coming your way! :-)
Looking at the win from a wider perspective, the win for PAS reflects just a swing to the liberal PR. UMNO-BN is not necessarily redundant or irrelevant – unless it does not evolved from a communalist coalition to a non communalist one that is.
10 years down the road, I forsee Malaysians will regard a two-party system as a norm. But right now, people want a change and they do indeed have the right to want one. The conservative UMNO-BN has been in power too long and even I, like any other true blue, Malaysian, think it is about time for change; for another capable and credible party to take over the reins of power. Much like what has happened every now and then in the Anglo Saxon countries of New Zealand, Australia, Canada, UK and US.
In my opinion however, the pivotal point for change normally is when a worthy leader is thrown up from amongst the people. And in this instance, that man is Mr Anwar Ibrahim.
However, if and when an equally if not more, capable and credible leader emerges from UMNO-BN, rest assure, the people will pause and take a second look, and perhaps the pendulum will once again swing to the UMNO-BN. For now perhaps, the question is – Is Mr Najib destined to be the next Mr Cameron, or will be similar to those PMs who came before him and after a strong-minded leader like Mrs Thatcher?
As a digression, I am somewhat amused at Mr Mahathir’s lamentable if not pathetic, recent attempt to deflect UMNO’s losses to Mr Abdullah Badawi. Surely it ought to be evident by now – as any historian worth his or her salt – must now conclude, is that UMNO-BN’s losses are due mainly to that “Indian” Mr Mahathir’s highly questionable ideology and misrule. The votes for PR and agains UMNO-BN is a vote against Mahathirsm.
And that is where UMNO-BN under Mr Najib or anyone else, must review and revise to enable BN to get back into the fray with a fighting chance
So having said all these, the question therefore remain – When will BN throw up a good, credible and acceptable leader who can espouse and articulate with conviction a clear, cogent, fair, intelligent and far-sighted ideas for the conservative BN coalition?
The next 15 years should be interesting.
Heartiest Congratulations to Pakatan Rakyat!!! See you in Parliament.
Abdullah came to KT twice during the campaign.
Just a thought…the lull of the ceasefire in Gaza will mean that all the Gazans will suffer even more intensely of the pain of wound, the effect of the dreadful noise of the war machine in their mind, and in the stillness of the night, nursing the loss of their love ones. It will be amplified even more intensely for them all, mother, father, brother, sister, men, women, children, doctors, journalists, and soliders.
Heavenly Father, may Your presence with the suffering people of Gaza give them consolation and strength. In Jesus name this prayer is made. Amen.