Will Malaysians continue to vote for a ruling party such as BN?

Najib, UMNO and the BN, rides on the fact that Malaysia is a low quality democracy. Najib understands that the majority of the Malaysian electorate are fearful of change, self-centred, indifferent or ignorant. Public opinion polls conducted by various research centres indicate time and again that Malaysians are most concerned about political stability especially in race relations; economic issues such as employment, business opportunities and cost of living; and social issues such as crime and public safety. They are contended with a government that can deliver on 'bread and butter' issues and maintain 'political stability.' Hence, despite public knowledge that BN is corrupt and has an atrocious track record in critical principles such as human rights and civil and political rights, the majority of Malaysians continue to vote for BN. Furthermore, many Malaysians seem to be enamoured by the BN's concept of 'power sharing'- which over the years have come to be a mask for UMNO to ensure supremacy over Malaysia - its institutions and resources. Add together, BN's incumbency and its systematic demolition of the opposition - BN's victory, thus far has never really in doubt.

However, since March 8, 2008, Malaysians have seen that there is a credible 'government in waiting' who can deliver the same 'bread and butter' goodies while at the same time having higher principles than the BN and is genuinely attempting to put the 'Rakyat' first. What is most enticing is that there is no perverse ideology that drives Pakatan Rakyat (PR) except for the fact that while all component parties differ ideologically, the understand that they need each other equally and thereby, providing a balanced approach to meeting the needs of the 'Rakyat'. Furthermore, the largest supporters of PR, the Malay community - abhor UMNO's Malay Supremacy ideology and rejects BN's crony capitalism. Hence the focus of Najib's strategy for the past year and time to come is (i) to destroy the credibility of this 'government in waiting' and (ii) to ensure that the majority of Malaysians continue to believe that only BN can deliver.

Najib Razak became Malaysia's sixth prime minister on April 3^rd, 2009 under the worst of circumstances; his coalition - the Barisan Nasional (BN) - had just been 'thrashed' at the recent general election, the global financial crisis was sending Malaysia into recession and a baggage - political and personal - that would have ended the carrier of any other politician. Therefore, to achieve the two objectives stated above, Najib had (i) to buy time to address things beyond his control such as the global economy; (ii) buy off key stakeholders and realign support back to the BN; (iii) distract the electorate from key issues affecting the nation; and (iv) systematically demolish the 'government in waiting'.

Another key strategy to buy time was to introduce policies that have delivery dates in the future. All of Najib's policies are open ended despite the promise of deliverables and deadlines. A policy such as '1Malaysia, People First, Performance Now' is verbose that it can mean anything. A clear example being Najib having to defend Muhyiddin' s declaration that he is Malay first and Malaysian second although it contradicts the aspirations of this policy.

The there is The 'New Economic Model' which is to transform the economy. The NEM is heavy on pronouncements but light in details. Most importantly, none of these policies address the key problems affecting the country such as respecting the principles and traditions of democracy such as separation of powers.

Najib's administration has yet to take any action on hot button issues such as corruption (PKFZ, V.K. Lingam case,), rising religious and racial tensions (Allah issue, caning of Muslim women, forced conversions), independence of institutions (Judiciary, the Police, the MACC, the Monarchy), human rights abuse (deaths in detention, ISA), weak economic fundamentals (shortage of skilled Malaysian labour, corruption).

At the same time, Najib has relentlessly attacked PR. He is believed to have engineered the fall of the PR led Perak government and the defection of PR legislators. Furthermore, Najib's federal government punishes opposition led states by withholding development funds, starving them of resources needed to generate economic activities. Most importantly, Najib has targeted PR leaders. Through his proxies, the DAP led Penang government has been accused of racism, the PKR led Selangor has been accused of corruption, and sought to break PAS up through Malay - Muslim unity dialogue. The brunt of the attacks has been on Anwar - who is once again accused of sodomy among many other things.

Do Malaysians realise that while Najib showers the 'Rakyat' with gifts, he is undermining the already weak democratic principles and traditions of a democracy? Will Malaysians continue to focus on 'bread and butter' issues? Will Malaysia mature as a democracy towards higher principles?