The 15^th General Election or GE15 is in the air. Literally on air on BFM every day. And, in all the other mainstream and social media. On streets, bridges, buildings, vehicles, and trees – banners, buntings and billboards of various political parties abound. The more the resources, the higher the visibility. In cities, towns and kampungs – visits, ‘ceramahs’ or talks are ramping up. Different types of persuasions are and will be employed. It is on people’s minds and in their conversations.

GE15 has been long in coming. Since early 2020 after the fall of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government. The Sheraton Move triggered it. A manoeuvre which saw the rug pulled from under PH, and the crossover of some of its own senior members, who coalesced with the party’s adversaries. It was short lived for PH, which was in government for 22 months. Still, it was the first opposition party in Malaysia’s 60-year long history to triumph over the ruling Barisan Nasional.

I cannot be sure but I don’t think there has ever been this level of uncertainty in local politics as was in the last two years. Resignations, appointments, party hopping and forming and breaking alliances by our elected representatives have been the order of the day. Keeping track of who did what to whom and how and where was akin to multiple soaps with no end in sight. All as bad as the other – politicians and parties. Not entertaining. Just disappointing. The situation was compounded by the pandemic which resulted in lockdowns, deaths and illnesses, a slower economy, poorer households, rising cost of living, and a general feeling of fed-upness. Nothing nice.

Even deciding on whether the election should be held this year, particularly slating it for the last quarter, was contentious. Many opposition party leaders and environmentalists voiced their concern as the country would be heading into or will already be in the monsoon season during the election period. Floods, safety of lives and property, and hardship to the people, plus resources needed to address this annual crisis were not critical enough considerations for the powers that be.

I kid you not. About 4am on 2 November, I was woken up by heavy rains pelting down on my window panes. The sound of thunder and the flashes of lightning were like a light and sound show with rain for more effect. This went on for a good hour. I was on the 30^th floor of a condo.  In all seriousness, I shudder to think the impact of this kind of weather to people living in flood prone and low-lying areas. Rain and thunderstorm warnings issued by the MET department are real. Hmm.

‘The 14th Parliament was only due to expire on July 16, 2023, five years after the first meeting of the first session of Parliament on July 16, 2018[1].’ Anyways, the 14th Parliament was dissolved on 10 October 2022. Nomination day was 5^th November and D-Day or polling day will be on 19^th November.

Leading up to nomination day, there were lots of speculation and names of politicians bandied about – who would and would not be nominated, and the constituencies they would or would not be contesting in. I was surprised that a handful of politicians, whom I thought had a good track-record, were competent and appeared to care enough about the people they represented and worked for, not the other way around, were dropped completely by their own parties. They will not and/or will not be allowed to contest despite being the incumbents. Some others were moved to new areas. Reasons offered were dubious to say the least. This happened across all parties. Again, the powers that be reigned supreme. Hmm. The confirmed list of candidates vying for the 222 parliamentary seats comprise some young and new faces, a few of whom I recognise, and too many same old faces, who are still jostling for power.

Ironically, I thought I knew for sure which party I will vote for. But after reading, listening and watching these politicians and their parties perform, they are pretty much the same-same.   

What to do? Vote and hope.

I hope whoever becomes the leader, and whichever party wins, the rakyat/people will not have to suffer yet more leakages – of our country’s money/finances and reputation – because of the very politicians whom we are about to elect in GE15. I hope the powers that will be will be law-abiding and follow rules like what’s expected of the rest of us. And, feel like the people, think like the people and actually act for the people and country.

Prime Ministers, Ministers, Members of Parliament and State Assembly-persons can do a lot of good. They have the power, authority and the means to put right many things that are blindingly and obviously not. Will they?  Hmm.