Suspense too much for some

After more than a year of intense speculation, the whole country is still kept in suspense as to the date of the 13th general election.

Slightly more than 13 million Malaysians aged 21 and above are eligible to cast their ballots to choose 222 representatives in the Federal Parliament and 505 representatives in 12 state assemblies (except Sarawak, which already held its state election on April 16 last year).

Philip Hii, The Star

AT FIRST the people thought that the general election was going to be in July last year. When nothing happened, the date Nov 11, 2011 was mentioned. They pointed out that the number 11 was Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s favourite number. Favourite or no favourite, the polls did not happen.

Then came the new year and speculators pointed to March, May, July and finally the last month of this year as the “The Day”.

The intensity of the speculation has diminished somewhat as many people have adopted a “let-it-be” attitude. For some, the delay has made them anxious. Others are rather fed up, while certain segments of the business community are impatiently waiting for their usual election-related windfall. Even the components of the ruling coalition are rather restive.

Only the Opposition seems to welcome the delay, saying that it is working in their favour as it gives them more time to reach the voters.

The current speculation is that the elections would likely be held after February next year when the distribution of government handouts as promised in Budget 2013 has been completed.

Najib might also wait for the expiry of his Government in March next year, which would compel Opposition-ruled Penang, Selangor, Kedah and Kelantan to participate in the general election simultaneously.

If none of the above happens, the polls must be held by June 27 next year, at the very latest.

January next year is considered a good election month because of the “feel-good” factor as Chinese New Year falls on Feb 10. It is believed that holding the elections close to the Lunar New Year would garner more Chinese support.

“It is the first time in our country’s history that uncertainty over an election date has dragged on for so long. It is inconvenient for employers and employees,” said a businessman who wanted to be known only as Wong.

He said the uncertainty had made it difficult for him to approve leave application of his staff, especially those who applied for November and January.

“The best I can do is grant them a short period, from two to five days, but on condition that they must return to work if the elections are called,” Wong added.

A graphic designer, Angela, said she was worried that her approved leave from Nov 21 to 30 would be revoked.

“If that happens then it would be a great loss to me as I have bought an air ticket to Bali,” she said.

Those most affected by the uncertainty are civil servants, police, military personnel, printers, and members of the media.

Some party members and workers in the ruling coalition are also starting to get “irritated”. An old SUPP member said withholding the announcement of the election date so close to the end of the current ruling government’s term could be interpreted as a “show of weakness and indecisiveness”.

He said many Malaysians were already politically mature and most of them have already decided who to vote for, or whether to vote at all.

Slightly more than 13 million Malaysians aged 21 and above are eligible to cast their ballots to choose 222 representatives in the Federal Parliament and 505 representatives in 12 state assemblies (except Sarawak, which already held its state election on April 16 last year).

In 2008, Barisan Nasional under the leadership of Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi suffered its first major setback when Pakatan Rakyat won 82 seats, thereby denying the ruling coalition of a two-thirds majority.

Barisan also lost control of five states — Penang, Selangor, Kelantan, Kedah and Perak. It, however, regained Perak following the defection of three Pakatan assemblymen.

Following the poor showing, Abdullah announced that he would step down. On March 26, 2009, Najib was elected unopposed as the new Umno party leader, paving his way to the nation’s premiership.

Abdullah tendered his resignation on April 2 and the next day, Najib was sworn in as the sixth Prime Minister of Malaysia.

It is stipulated in the Malaysian constitution that the general election is held every five years.

The country’s past 12 general elections were on Aug 19, 1959; April 25, 1964; May 10, 1969; Aug 24 and Sept 14 1974; July 8, 1978; April 22, 1982; Aug 3, 1986; Oct 21, 1990; April 25, 1995; Nov 29, 1999; March 21, 2004; and March 8, 2008.