The Mother of All Elections: Pakatan's weak spots

There is already a high probability that the 13th General Election will be held after the Budget Presentation on October 7, 2011. Although there is still a bit of time leading up to the polls if they are to be held in October, the Pakatan Rakyat is facing a huge task ahead.

No doubt, it has made enormous gains with many fence-sitters turning the corner in the wake of Prime Minister Najib Razak's gross mishandling of the Berish rally - pre and post July 9.

But make no mistake, there are many obstacles and roadblocks that the ruling BN coalition can be counted on to throw at Pakatan, and chief among the instrucments at its disposal is none other than the all-powerful Election Commission.

Election Commission (EC)

There has been too much hanky-panky in the past, in regards to the voter lists. There are duplicate names with different identity card numbers in different voting streams thus enabling the same person to vote more than once. In a recent move to placate the grouses of the public following Bersih's demand for free and fair elections, the EC saus it will introduce a Biometric system, which is currently being used in the legalization of illegal foreign workers.

Lee Boon Chye, PKR MP for Gopeng, is totally against the use of the Biometric system because in his view, any computerized system can be hacked and this means that the database can be compromised. In Dr. Lee's opinion, Pakatan Rakyat will be facing a severe disadvantage with the implementation of this electronic system as only EC staff or even BN staff people can access the system - meaning that any mischief done can remain undetected.

"The Election Commission itself is the biggest problem of Pakatan Rakyat. This is because they are the root cause of all the problems. They should adhere to all of Bersih's 8 demands. What I cannot understand is the Election Commission's reluctance to use indelible ink. This is a simple move and it will prevent anyone from voting more than once unlike the Biometric system where if the database is compromised, multiple voting by the same person can occur," Lee told Malaysia Chronicle.

Foreign Workers and the National Registration Department (NRD)

Pakatan leaders have also sarcastically pointed out amnesty for foreign workers is somehow granted close to the time of the general election. There are fears by Pakatan that significant numbers of foreign workers will be granted MyKad thus enabling them to vote.

PAS Titi Serong assemblyman Khalil Idham Lim remarked that one of the biggest headaches facing Pakatan Rakyat is whether the NRD is working hand-in-glove with the EC to clandestinely register large numbers of foreign workers into the voting database.

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)

The MACC's inaction with regards to the countless reports lodged against BN for corrupt practices during elections and by-elections over the years is a major obstacle to Pakatan, encouraging BN to have no fear of the MACC and to continue with their oftentimes blatant attempts to buy votes.

Athough stacked high, these reports by made by the Pakatan over the past 2 years have only gathered dust under the 'No Further Action' label. BN's vote-buying tactics complete with 'evidence' provided have not been acted upon by the MACC at all. Few expect the MACC to change its behaviour. Mostly, it will close one eye or even both eyes to BN's corrupt practices in the coming 13th General Election.

The Police

They seem to practice double-standards, interrupting political ceramahs and sometimes fund-raising dinners organized by Pakatan. On the other hand, any protests, demonstrations against Pakatan and BN's own political ceramahs are largely left alone. With this type of restrictive atmosphere, it is not easy for Pakatan to get their programmes or campaigns running smoothly. Pakatan's political speeches during elections are watched closely by the police and sometimes the sound system and amplifiers are cut off. Worse still, the guest speakers may be attacked with sedition reports lodged against them.

The Attorney-General's Chambers and the Judiciary

This group tends to remain in the background during elections but do not underestimate them as they have the power to overturn or validate the election results if the matter is taken to court.

BN's cronies

These are of course the large corporations and wealthy businessmen. They get contracts and favours from the BN government and will continue to vote BN and get their employees to do likewise. They are an extremely powerful lot and they want to see the BN stay in power because this will enable them to amass unlimited wealth.

The mainstream media

This is BN's weapon to bad-mouth Pakatan via continuous spin on current events. The non-existent coverage on Pakatan's good deeds (benefits and projects to help the people) or worse still twisted spin on its good deeds is practiced on a daily basis. There are times when even false news is published to destroy the Pakatan, such as the Christian prime minister row.

The mammoth government machinery

Vehicles owned by the police and government agencies (boats, trucks, etc) to ferry voters to the polling stations are employed on polling day. Schools have been used as recruiting ground by BN's component parties. Civil servants have been roped in to campaign for BN. The list goes on. Government machinery has always been misused by BN to serve its own ends and there is no reason to doubt that it won't happen in GE-13.

The Civil Service

This will be another barrier facing Pakatan in GE-13. The civil service is BN's votebank due to the fact that these people are afraid to vote against the incumbent government because they do not want to jeopardise their own rice-bowl. They have been indoctrinated to vote for the incumbent government and they have forgotten that even if Pakatan is the government of the day, their jobs would just be as secure.

The folks in rural towns and villages

BN have been drumming into these people that only BN can look after and protect their interests. As they only read the mainstream newspapers and watch national television, these folks have also been indoctrinated to vote only for BN. Pakatan faces its toughest task in trying to change the mindsets of these people.

The Felda folks

These are diehard BN supporters and voters and BN has achieved cult status or hero status with these folks. Again it may be a Mission-Impossible trying to get these folks to see that it is BN who is maintaining the status quo in order to stay in power. BN's monetary gifts have always managed to cement their solid support.

The Sabahans and Sarawakians Bumiputera

Similar to the Felda folks, they too deify BN and many of them solidly back BN due to ignorance, coercion or lack of economic means.

BN's lust and greed for power

Due to this, BN has become firmly entrenched in Putrajaya and they will do anything and everything not to lose the Federal Government. Pakatan is certainly the David in the fight against the mighty BN Goliath.

Lack of political awareness and short-memories

This too is a big barrier for Pakatan to overcome as many Malaysians are not interested in the political situation of the country. Malaysian citizens tend to leave the politicians to themselves as they are too busy in their daily pursuits. The rich want to focus on making more money while the poor want to focus on putting food on the table. Thus not many are interested or have the time to pay attention to the national political landscape. But the majority have already formed an impression and they are likely to vote based on that impression.

Besides that, Malaysians who are well-known for their short memories also makes it easier to forget BN's misdeeds and therefore BN can win at the polls by speeding up some good deeds shortly before election.

All general elections are do-or-die matters. But this time, the 13th General Election is going to be the biggest battle of all. It will be Armageddon or Pertarungan Penamat in Bahasa Malaysia because it will define and chart the future of the nation.

Some political analysts are predicting that due to all the factors listed above, BN can still win at the coming polls. But the future is becoming murky. Even the crystal ball is cloudy. What will happen just before the election date and after the election date is anyone's guess.

One thing for sure, it will go down the wire and will be the toughest-fought election battle of all time as Malaysia stands at the crossroads of history. BN is ready as they have the huge government machinery at their disposal.

Pakatan has been keeping its card up its sleeve. Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim had expected GE-13 to be held this month itself. So the coalition is not unprepared. However, it may not be as well-prepared given its distinctly lower resources.

The good thing though is that it has heaps of spirit and never-say-die attitude. What about Malaysians out there? Are you ready and have you chosen sides? If so, please do whatever you can to help. Find out if you can register to volunteer in campaigning and outreach work. These are the simple ways that Pakatan can consider to compensate the deficit in machinery. - Malaysia Chronicle