Time to decide — Lim Mun Fah

After a long wait, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak finally announced on Wednesday the dissolution of Parliament. In other words, nomination day might fall next week and the 13th national election must be held the latest on May 28.

Everyone has said that it is going to be the most intense general election in Malaysian history. Some have predicted that the election result will be a watershed in the history of Malaysian politics.

Regardless of how people comment on the upcoming general election, amidst the viral war of words, it is the most passionate moment as well as the moment requiring voters to think rationally.

It can be predicted that one after another climax would be staged in the next few weeks and various political inside information, various personal attacks against candidates and various debates on policies would hit the public day and night through old and new media to meet some people’s voyeuristic desire, as well as your right to know.

We must admit that after a very long period of an authoritarian political era, many people indeed have a very strong “victim” mentality. Therefore, they are eagerly waiting for polling day. They are looking forward to seeking for the consolation to vent their dissatisfaction through politicians’ impassioned speeches. They also cannot wait for the day that allows them to be “the boss” and choose their desired workers.

The battle in fact started right after the end of the 2008 general election. In addition to hubbubs in the Dewan Rakyat, there were also massive street protests over the past five years, causing an enormous blow to BN, a coalition that has ruled for half a century.

Today, I believe that most voters have made their decision. Regardless of BN or Pakatan Rakyat, it is quite impossible to change their mind and decision within a short period of time. Therefore, they could affect only the unknown number of the so-called swing voters.

Nevertheless, BN and Pakatan Rakyat will still go all out and not waste even a single day or miss a single voter as even though the basic support rates have been set, unpredictable variables always exist in democratic elections and surprising new development might burst at any time. Therefore, the noisy and intense campaign period will affect everyone in the country.

An election is just a necessary process in the pursuit of progress, peace, freedom, fairness and democracy. Electing a government for the next few years is just a procedure. The more important part would be the ideology and governance direction of the elected government.

The time when Parliament is dissolve is also a time when voters must start pondering over the future of the country. All political parties in the world have one thing in common, that is, give voters a beautiful dream. As for whether the dream is practical and whether it is achievable, voters must make judgments based on their own wisdom and understanding, and rationally make a wise decision when they cast their vote! — mysinchew.com