Say what you will but many Malaysians belive Bangladeshi voted in GE13

The issue of a Bangladeshi voting corps remains persistent to this day.

Bangladeshi High Commission recently held a press conference to reaffirm that no Bangladeshi nationals had voted in Malaysia's general elections.

His Excellency Atiqur Rahman was serious in defending the innocence of hs compatriots while concerned about the possibility of them falling victim to animosity and discrimination in this country.

His clarification remains of dubious effect judging from the psychological qualities and political inclinations of majority of Malaysians.

Many believe Bangladeshis indeed indeed came out to vote in Malaysia's general elections although no one had any evidence to prove their claims.

Quite a number of "Bangladeshi phantom voters" were apprehended only to be proven later that they are bona fide Malaysian citizens.

There was this guy with the complexion of a Bangladeshi and a facial outline resembling that of a Bangladeshi man's, who was later found to be a Malaysian citizen of Indian ancestry upon interrogation by the so-called civilian election ghostbusters.

And then there were some other Indian Malaysians mistaken to be foreigners and openly humiliated or their Bangla looks.

All because someone said on the eve of the election that some 40,000 Bangladeshis had landed on Malaysia and were ready to cast their votes.

Among the believers of such claims were professionals and intellectuals, including a friend of mine well versed in financial analyses.

I replied, "To send in 40,000 Bangladeshis, we need at least 200 flights, a thousand buses and tens of thousands of rooms or lodgings to cater to their needs, not to mention tonnes of food.

"And then, we need a few thousand speakers to instruct them how to queue up and vote, along with fundamental 'survival Malay' to see that things go well.

"As if that is not enough, they also need MyKads, and their names need to be on the electoral rolls.

"More importantly, they must be taught how to camouflage so as not to cause a stir if Bangladeshis appear in droves at polling centres."

He asked, "Then why should so many people believe it?"

I was speechless.

While people are capable of analysing the most complicated financial reports, they are totally at sea when confronted by such a simple logic.

Another friend of mine was having lunch at a restaurant on the polling day itself and overheard the shop owner talking about Bangladeshis voting in Malaysia with some of his patrons.

He interrupted, "How could this be possible? Just use your brains to think!"

The agitated boss flashed his iPad several inches from his face and yelled, "Why not? Just take a look yourself. Everyone is talking about it on Facebook."

People who believe in Bangla phantom voters do so with fortified faith as if they have been cast the spell of righteousness, fantasising the Banglas as imaginary enemies that must be whacked hard at all costs. The outburst of such a collective non-cogitation syndrome has added an additional farce to the election.

While the people are granted the right to vote under democratic politics, they must also be able to think rationally. The unnecessary implication of Bangladeshis has only shown the discriminatory stance of some who claim to fight all the way against racism.

- Sin Chew Daily