The Elusive Election

The Elusive Election (from theSun, 8th March 2013)

RESOLVING the water saga in Selangor epitomises the frustration of the nation in waiting for an election that is ever elusive – just round the corner, but yet never quite visible.

The Selangor government’s fourth and latest offer to take over the four private water companies is most likely to end in an impasse again.

This time, two companies Splash and Abbas have indicated they are likely to accept, while the remaining two, Puncak Niaga Sdn Bhd and Syabas are still mulling over the matter.

Despite the latest offer totalling a whopping RM9.65 billion, higher than its previous offers, both Puncak and Syabas would probably hold off on any decision until the election takes place – presumably, till the winner in Selangor is determined, as this would change the political landscape and everything else that follows.

Although their reason to wait is likely to demand an even higher price, it is fair to say that we are this close to the 13th general election and knowing its outcome would make decision-making all that easier.

They are not the only ones. Even the optimism level of the property market is low due to election uncertainty, according to the Real Estate and Housing Developers Association Institute, as people are more cautious, preferring to wait and see what transpires.

ELECTION FEVER

Five years ago today, Malaysians voted for a change in the Selangor government and for the opposition coalition to run four other states in the country.

On the one hand, it is a good thing that these governments (save one) have had the opportunity of the full five-year term to see their public policies and programmes come to fruition.

This allows voters enough time to observe, experience and evaluate for themselves the difference between their previous and current state governments.

On the other hand, however, it is rare for a prime minister not to have sought a fresh mandate from the people.

Datuk Seri Najib Razak was appointed to take over the leadership of the country in 2009 following the poor performance of his predecessor who lost Barisan Nasional’s two-third majority in Parliament, therefore not technically being the people’s choice of a leader for the past four years.

The election game, if one recalls, began early. Among the 16 by-elections that took place since 2008, Hulu Selangor in April 2010 was one parliamentary seat that the Barisan Nasional won in great relief, which spurred talk of an early general election that year itself, which did not take place.

The three by-election victories by Umno at the beginning of 2011 in Tenang, Merlimau and Kerdau must have also contributed to the ruling coalition’s confidence after their previous defeats in Bukit Gantang, Permatang Pasir and Sibu.

Following Barisan’s return to power in the April 2011 Sarawak state elections, speculation was already rife that the election would take place in mid-2011.

It is likely the Bersih 2.0 rally in July 2011 and the growing support for its movement caused the Barisan to hold off, and this trend would continue the following year.

With Bersih 3.0 held in April 2012 – following dissatisfaction with the report submitted by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Electoral Reform – as well as the appalling police violence towards members of the media, it was again difficult for Najib to call for the election.

FURTHER DELAY?

As we entered the year 2013, Malaysians would have thought to themselves – this is it, no delays any longer. Parliament automatically dissolves on 28th April, but both the Johor and Negri Sembilan state assemblies dissolve at the end of March. Elections must be held within 60 days of dissolution.

Hence, for all state and federal elections to take place simultaneously, polling day would have to be held at the end of May at the very latest.

However, there have been further complications added to the matter. The Suluk intrusion into Sabah over the last few weeks has left many confounded. With little official information forthcoming, some of us having to resort to reading Filipino newspapers online, it is difficult to gauge what the impact will be nationwide.

The Election Commission (EC) says the intrusion has not affected preparations for the 13th general election as it has full confidence in the security forces’ ability to resolve the conflict.

But with villagers in fear in Lahad Datu and Semporna, eight Malaysian policemen killed as reported at the time of writing, and rumours of yet more intruders arriving, this raises more questions than answers.

The commission also said the election will be held as planned regardless of the scenario. That is good news, but it would certainly help if these plans were made known to more people than just the prime minister and the EC commissioner.

The air of uncertainty has hung about for far too many months. If there is one thing that perhaps the majority of Malaysians can agree on, if not necessarily the outcome thereof, it is this.

For the benefit of the business community, policymakers, civil society, and the general public, this elusive election must be held within the time it is due: no later than 60 days after the set deadline for the dissolution of Parliament.

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