Why BN loss many seats in GE 2008?

1. The Samy factor.
Of all reasons, I believe the biggest cause of downfall of BN in the west coast region is due to the hatred and anger of the Indian Voters against Samy. They are not angry with BN or the MIC for that matter. Somehow, the mere mention of Samy ‘s name is enough to provoke anger and frustration among the people.

Due to this reason many Indian’s in Selangor, Perak, Penang and Kedah just vote the opponent. BN leaders some how did not take into account the fact that there was enough signs on the wall to indicate the Indian’s community frustration with Samy. The various manoeuvres that he created in ousting all his opponent over the years, the Hindraf rally and the extremely reduced number of people who attended the Thaipusam are clear signs of frustration.

The BN leaders failed to notice of this and they did they failed to impressed Samy on the needs to retire. When Samy tells the people that he wants to go another term and there is no one currently capable of leading MIC , it was really a final brunt to bear. During the PM meeting with a group of Indians at KL Badminton Stadium, BN top people failed to realized that most that was in the stadium was paid guest and not volunteers. The people were imported from all over the states by bus loads and was paid to listen to PM speech.

This is another important clues that was missed and many that I talk to after the event said that the PM insulted them and their religion when he announce that Thaipusam will be a holiday in Kuala Lumpur because it causes traffic jam and not because he respected their religion. This is the reason’s why they vote the other way. The speech was highlighted all over the media and this literally angered the whole nation Indian’s ethnic group.

2. The Infamous Hindraf 5
I believe the use of the ISA to detain the Hindraf 5 also contributes significantly on the reasons that the Indians and non Indians are upset and chose not to vote the BN. First of all, the original rally was peaceful. The various security measures, blockade during the 2 rallies raised the frustration of the Indian Community. The use of ISA without a clear evidence and what more the spread of the allegation that the Hindraf 5 was linked to Tamil Rebels and terrorist group was not bought by the general public.

Many felt that the unsubstantiated charges and the use of the ISA was a blatant abuse of power. One of the biggest factor that leads to the sway of votes is the fact the AG wanted to charge the people who threw stones at the Police Force at Batu Caves for murder when the crime is so small. Never in a history of our nation, the AG comes down to court to present his case to charge a group of men for throwing stones. Whereas in the court next door, a bigger and more serious case involving Althantuya murder was managed by his deputies.

All this activities suggest that there is something fishy about the use of power by the government. The Lingam Gate, the questionable independence of the AG Chambers ,the courts and the government further fuelled the frustration of the people. For this reason alone, Mr M Manoharan despite being detained under ISA, are able to obtaine 12,699 votes to win with a 7,184-vote in the Kota Alam Shah state seat without even having to campaign.

He just sat in his cell watching TV in Taiping. Where in the history of our nation, a person who is in prison can win a state seat with such overwhelming strength. Isn’t this evidence is clear enough. For the good of the nation, I appeal to the PM to release the Hindraf 5 or to charge them in court if you feel they did something wrong. If there is nothing concrete I suggest you release them. Now Samy is no longer in a position of power, I suggest that you engage the Hindraf group to find out their main issues that started all this changes and engaged them. Give them an opportunity.Listen to them. Analyze the facts and make an educated decision. This way you will turn your enemy into a friend and this will benefit BN in years to come. This is a long time investment. Follow the prophet way, He too pardon off so many enemies in his lifetime.

3. The arrogance of many BN leaders in dealing with Malaysians
Immediately after Hindraf’s rally, Khir Toyo appears on TV and said that those Indians who are not happy in Malaysia can go back to India. To many this statement indicates lack of professionalism and fellow Malaysians including many Indians and Chinese felt threatened by this remark. Despite that, he was not charge under Seditious Act. This statement was meant to incite malays and Indians to have a fight.

Thank god, that this did not happen. For the record the Indians in this country can trace back to their ancestor for more than 150 years ago when the East India Company brought them here to works in plantations. I was informed that this Ex Menteri Besar was the first generation Malaysians (some say he was born in Indonesia himself) as his father came here from Indonesia after the second world war. These kind of statements made the non malays worried i.e. the Chinese and the Indians in particular and for this reason, the BN loss a developed and rich state. During one of the ceramah that I had attended where this Khir Toyo gave a talk in Gombak, he openly blackmailed the citizen by saying that, those areas that vote the opposition will not be attended to. They will get less services and attention by the local authorities. This kind of remarks actually angered the UMNO supporters as well as others as they felt if they support the BN and their area is lost then, they too will be marginalized. The government supposed to serve all it’s citizens irrespective of their political belief.

The entire top BN machinery actually threatened the Kelantanese where they said that the RM112 billion development injection will be withdrawn if BN is not “bought” into power.It is quite clear and the Kelantanese have told BN it loudly that they dont want the BN money worth RM112 billion. They told BN that you can keep your monney.

This issue was not taken lightly by the Kelantanese. The Kelantanese most who are quite religious do not take people who lies, threatens and pays money to achieve their objectives. In their assessment achieving a noble intention via an unholy and less noble way does not make it right. That is why despite the bus and aeroplane tickets and pocket money, they took the offer and vote PAS. They know that they cannot built a trustworthy government based on dishonorable act of people who use money to go into power.In other words they cannot be bought.

4. Would it have made any difference if Anwar is allowed to contest?
The fact that Anwar was said to be irrelevant and the election was held within days before he could contest meant that the BN government was concern about him. I believe if Anwar was allowed to contest than he would not have the time to go around the country to canvassing for votes for all the other candidates He would be focusing his time and energy challenging the PM. He will be spending time campaigning in his own backyard trying to win his seat. I believe this is an important factor. Since Anwar’s was quite free he decided to go around the country and canvass the votes for others. I believe had the BN government allow him to contest, the losses could have been capped.

5. SPR action contributed to BN losses
In my previous writings, I have on many occasions reminded that SPR actions that they represent the image of BN. Peoples has a rather skewed mind. On many occasions, it’s actions has dampened the image of the BN government. The recent cancellation of the use of the indelible ink was probably the biggest blow. It was done 4 days before the GE and this created the biggest doubt among the voters. The inconsistent conduct of SPR was actually being interpret negatively by the general public

The impact of the election results.
The 2008 election has several important impact. Among these, it would include:
a. Major reshuffling of the MIC where I believe Dato Saravanan will go up and Dato Subra might make a come back. Samy and his lieutenants may have just to give away their MIC positions. Young guns like Sothinathan may be struggling to come to centre stage again. Of course knowing Samy the person that he is, he will not go down without fighting.

b. UMNO may ask Pak Lah to vacate his seat and make way for Najib will go up. For the obvious reasons, KJ will not allow this to happen. I believe if Pak Lah wants to step down he will do it at his own schedule and not being pressed by others. I believe he prefer Mahyuddin Yassin to go up.

c. Gerakan, PPP will be struggling to be rebuilding their party and Keng Yaik probably would have said, “ Hai yaaaa.. If know ar.. I would not have step down…). As for Koh Tsu Koon whom I had regarded as one of the few professional politician, he will offer himself out of the equation. I believe Koh should continue serving the people. He is quite professional in his approach.

d. There is now a balance of power in Malaysia which is good for the country. The balance must be used properly. The dacing symbol now really means balance.

e. BN now has to review its methods to win the heart of Malaysians. The promised of developments is not enough. The people wants more. They wants transparency, honesty and the respect of the government to their people irrespective of races. They want to be govern by a trustworthy party.

drrafick
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