Another political circus show?

By-elections are akin to a circus where politicians have replaced animals to entertain voters.

COMMENT

Recalling my schooling days in the 60s, new villagers where I grew up would get pretty excited and curious when they notice tall poles being erected to put up a large tent in the playing field.

The young and old would spend time watching caged animals making their way into the large field and plying hawkers making a small windfall selling all sorts of foodstuffs. A little van with a loud speaker would make its rounds in the new village and small towns announcing the arrival of the circus.

It was probably the only event that was capable of stirring up the collective mood of the whole new village for a week or so until the circus moved on to some other smaller towns.

Of course, the small time circus businesses did not survive through the 70s and eventually met its end when the television reached our shores.

Yet today, a different type of circus has replaced the traditional ones.

We have witnessed scores of political circuses over the decades. By-elections seem to have replaced the animal-based circus’ carnivals.

Malaysians should not be faulted. At times it is difficult for them to differentiate circus clowns from political clowns because these jokers share many similarities with their foot-in-mouth remarks; which have made our nation a laughing stock around the globe.

Hence, it is not surprising that Malaysians feel that some politicians have replaced the animals. Unlike the reactions one gets from a traditional circus which is pure excitement, political circuses have a lot more emotions thrown in the “sandiwara”.

Instead of buying show tickets, new villagers and small town folks have become recipients of election goodies and loads of benefits. The local businesses will have a windfall, like a sudden tsunami washing ashore unexpected large amount of seafood.

These political shows do not need tall poles, large tents and wild animals. The main actors are politicians who have replaced the animals. The loudspeakers have been replaced by new communication tools and the impact is far reaching in the nation and no longer confined to a small new village per se.

The Kajang circus

The latest up-coming political circus is in Kajang.

I am not sure if there ever was a Malaysian Circus Association in the past but this time around, a candidate is picked from the Malaysian Chinese Association.

It is often said that a day is too long in politics.

Newly elected MCA president Liow Tiong Lai may not be the circus’ ringmaster in the coming political show but his career’s destiny is certainly put to a litmus test; even before his 100-day tenure is over.

Even before the Election Commission could decide the nomination and polling dates, voices were heard over the contentious issue in the selection of candidates. Different messages came from the Barisan Nasional’s pack of leaders on the possible choice of a non-MCA candidate.

Akin to vultures hovering over a dying horse, certain politicians sent a loud and clear message to the MCA leadership on their non-confidence of an MCA candidate contesting in the by-election.

With an exception of the former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad saying that MCA should be given another chance, the others offered a different menu for the show.

A former minister, equivalent to a circus clown, failed to spark public laughter when he said that the Chinese community should redeem their loyalty and confidence with the BN by supporting a BN-selected candidate.

The MCA president was of course not amused by the circus’ gossips and public statements made by his supposedly BN-allies. With them expressing such unfriendly proposals indicating a no-confidence to the party he is leading, the party president does not need any more enemies.

Even the Opposition Pakatan Rakyat seems more congenial when candidate Anwar Ibrahim openly declared that his party leadership, PKR and the Pakatan coalition would not engage in personal attacks against their opponent during the by-election campaign.

Even before the formal campaigning period, the political circus show has started. The public radar has shifted its focus from the controversial “Allah” issue to the coming Kajang state by-election.

Will MCA stand a chance of winning?

Leaving aside the underlying reasons, causes or hidden agenda of PKR for triggering the by election, the choice of MCA’s candidate is unlikely to make any difference.

In fact, since GE13, Malaysian politics is nothing short of a circus with politicians and the Najib’s administration running the nation; seemingly from a cage.

Mediocre BN policy-makers have been issuing contradictory and confusing messages to the Malaysian public; and under the current political landscape, the Kajang by-election is expected to be the dirtiest with BN attempting to seize a win at all costs, unless proven otherwise.

The Kajang by-election will likely be another circus just as political celebrities had lined up at wet markets and hypermarkets to show their pretentious concern over the hike of food prices.

Some would show off their hollow rhetoric and public speaking talent, no matter how ridiculous and absurd in content. Sloganeering, horse trading with voters and more promises of development and public infrastructures for the township. What else is new?

A bad worker is luckier than politicians. In the event of poor delivery, at least the bad worker can blame his tools. But a bad showing by either candidate in the contest could cost a state seat and with greater implications to the political divide.

Even worse, Liow Tiong Lai will have to face the wrath of his rivals, who are ever ready to pounce on him and his team if MCA’s candidate is defeated in Kajang.

As Kajang is famous for its satay, figuratively will MCA be able to throw in another dish into the expected fierce competition?

Stanley Koh is a FMT columnist.