It is a year that nobody will ever forget as the curtain goes up to reveal two gladiators clashing in a fierce combat to win the hearts and minds of the people.
The brawl comes at the "worst of times" when the country is wracked with all manner of political, economic and social ills.
It is also a "season of darkness" because there is no guarantee that violence will not erupt when the caretaker government realises that it is heading for a severe drubbing.
There, in Putrajaya, sits the balding Bugis "king" with puffed cheeks and swollen eyes, who is worried that his grip on power will slip away come May 9.
He is screaming at the top of his voice "defend Putrajaya to the last drop of your blood".
There is a clash of shields and keris and vigorous stomping of feet as his soldiers sally forth to meet their enemy in the valley of the death.
A sea of blue flags surrounds Perdana Leadership Foundation – a prime target for demolition.
The atmosphere becomes tense when the fully-armoured warrior shows up in all the panoply of power and glory.
He plays the role of the scaremonger-in-chief to the hilt, with dire warnings of impending doom if the voters mark their boxes the wrong way.
The caretaker leader unabashedly uses race and religion as tools of war to sow division and hate in a society already much fractured and burdened throughout the years of his reign.
But he is quite cunning: he uses a two-tracked approach when he goes on a whirlwind tour of the country.
In the urban centres, he knows he cannot fool the people who are fully aware of the dark side of his character.
So, he ropes in a smooth-talking, nearly bald-headed businessman to help him whitewash all these dirty stains on his public record.
Chipping away at fortress Putrajaya
When the Bugis captain goes to the rural heartland, he immediately transforms himself into a caring leader and heartily embraces the poor folk in a show of great concern.
He liberally distributes goodies while, at the same time, strikes fear into them with all this talk about threats to Malay political supremacy and Islam.
Then there is the other feisty fighter who stands in the path of the Bugis man.
The doctor-turned-politician is an old hand at politics and, having ruled the country for more than 20 years, cannot sit quietly while his “pupil-turned-villain” creates havoc with his ruinous policies and programmes.
The doctor, too, has principles but not to his rival’s liking. He comes out of retirement to hit out at the Pekan man and even quits his own party on a matter of principle: no one should support a leader when he does not know how to govern.
Slowly but steadily, the doctor is chipping away at fortress Putrajaya. Though aged, the man still retains his good looks, his biting humour, his keen mind.
He articulates his thoughts clearly and succinctly when detailing the wrongdoings of the Bugis man.
The doctor has correctly diagnosed the disease that is weakening the country – mismanagement and corruption.
His prescription is strong and effective: in the first 100 days of his administration, he will get to the bottom of all the mess and bring to book all those responsible for all these crimes.
The world is closely watching this interesting heavyweight championship title bout, with all eyes on the two fighters.
One is going all-out to destroy his nemesis in his public and even private life, and the other is trying to save Malaysia from utter collapse.
It is a real-life movie that can win the boxers Oscar awards – the young man for his roguish conduct and old man for his principled stand.
In the end, the 14th general election is also a “season of light” and a “spring of hope”.
It is a story of how the people can make this country strong and healthy again by exercising their right at the ballot box.
PHLIP RODRIGUES is a veteran journalist. - Mkini
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