There i was thinking that today was gonna be a great day. How wrong I was when all I had to do was open the Straits Times and read page 4 of it’s main section.
Malaysia’s 50 KM Petrol Ban on Foreign Motorists
I stared at it in shock and disbelief as i had always perceived the actions to be taken were either an entrance levy or a lower subsidy. A ban was something that I hadn’t imagined. Malaysia is doing this as a temporary stop gap solution to cut escalating inflation prices.
I was shocked when i heard in the news on my way back in the bus (Finally the TV MOBILE in the SBS bus does something beneficial) that Dr Mahathir Mohamed has stepped down from UMNO. I was in utter disbelief as i saw the news being said over and over again. (Interestingly Karim Raslan was being interviewed as guest analyst for Channel News Asia; what was he doing in Singapore in the first place?)
My mind kept pondering as to why Dr M has done such a move. Is it one of following his emotions again; that he is simply too upset at the predicaments that’s being faced by his party? I remembered the incident when he shocked the party during the assembly when he announced his decision to retire. It was one that was filled with tears and staunch allies asked why deciding on such a matter.
Well, the dust has settled and the people’s opinion is clear and steady as the results have been convincing. Out of 222 parliamentary seats, BN gained only a simple majority of 140 (less than a 2/3 majority) while DAP 28 seats, PAS 23 & PKR 31. Out of 505 state seats, BN won 307, Independent 2, DAP 73, PAS 83 & PKR 40 seats.
Indeed, a disappointing defeat for the ruling party. They have lost 5 states: Kelantan, Kedah, Perak, Penang & Selangor. Furthermore, a stunning loss to key politicians including MIC Chief Samy Vellu; Gerakan President Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon; Minister for Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil & Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin.
Well, from my take on the elections, it shows that there is a democratic freedom to vote unlike being said earlier. Fears of voting fraud and alleged agendas to prevent voting are certainly deemed rubbish. Also, as what Anwar Ibrahim has said, it marks a New Dawn for Malaysia.
So what went wrong for BN?
