Gearing up for mother of all parties

The once-in-five-years party is in town. Will the good times roll or will it be the same stuff albeit with minor modifications?

Why change and modify a 55-year-old tried and tested mode of being on the winning side except for the last one which exceptionally misfired?

Plenty. The reverberations of fear are rattling a few – the rich and powerful albeit with shady pasts. With personal liberty and freedom at risk, there can be so much damage that could change the course of our nation.

Little wonder that the leader of one party remarked: "GE15 is the mother of all general elections in our country. If we cannot win, our fate will be worse than GE14.” What could be worse? Behind bars or remaining unemployed, yet powerless with lots of money in the bank?

One party wants its leaders to stay outside while its sub-party wants the leader inside to be on the outside. Sounds like a dual-action plan which would be good vibes for the loyal ones who had and want to continue to be recipients of the large largesse now dangling as carrots.

But the lone voice beyond the high walls supported by flesh-cutting barbed fire is still being heard by the organisers. He just does not want to be left behind having partaken in several previous ones. In the form of social media posts, the messages and the rage are being heard.

Even the pre-party preparations are being done as if it was a celebration. No stone (and money) will be left unturned. The outcome of the party is crucial to the freedom and liberty of a selected few and victory must come at all costs.

Even if it means cohabiting with frogs. They are choosy too – certain species are accepted, welcomed with open arms and hugs but others are ostracised and isolated to be their victims of prey.

Already, the voices of discontent can be heard in the distance but who cares when such nuance can be dismissed as it is just too small an impediment to bother about – the bigger picture is that the “stay out of jail” card is carved out in stone.

The general election is not about the country, its people and the direction it would take. Neither is it development, stability or prosperity that is being touted. Even “unity” which is only used in the run-up to Merdeka Day and Malaysia Day celebrations has found its useful place.

The Deepavali promo on television is blaring and the words “Let’s embrace our bonds” come out significantly. But since when were there bonds? It had always been bonding based on race or religion and at most times, both.

Consider all these as election rhetoric. It only serves until polling day and the tone changes in tangent with the audience – in a matter of hours. There is so much flair and talent scouts for movie-makers will have difficult choices.

Change is hard to come by

In some instances, one can transform into “Padayappa”, speaking like a Tamil folklore hero in one ceramah but at another an hour later, having changed into a God-believing pious person in a full-flowing thawb (Arabian robe) and headgear to match, the tone and tenor change.

Little attention or time is devoted to addressing claims of thieving and scandals. “They are lies created by the enemies,” they would say and summarily dismiss them despite the voluminous news reports available in the public domain.

Yes, there’ll be the same faces again. Some may have crawled out of a five-year hibernation. Others will say that “we want to continue serving the people”.

Unless pushed out, few voluntarily opt out. They would have amassed enough (experience and honing skills?) but for others, when has enough been enough?

Then there will be candidates who claimed to have invested their own money to build mosques and houses for the Orang Asli. One claimed he had spent over RM1 million on top of government allocation – therefore fortifying his celestial right to stay and compete.

During the lockdown, while we collectively endured the Covid-19 pandemic problems, he was away recuperating on an island in the Pacific to enjoy with his family. Yes, he may have the money the party needs, but money certainly will not buy reputation or integrity. In the eyes of the people, a politician who turns into a frog remains so in perpetuity.

But these two qualities are rare commodities in our political system. While there was some semblance of them, a simple slogan – “Cash is king” demoted them to the lowest denominator in their class. But having a bottomless war chest does not guarantee victory as seen in the past.

But they will concede that it had somewhat eased the pain, having waited five years for another shot at the pot.

By now the original creators of “Ah Jib Khor” and “Nambikai” would be brushing up their CVs in the hope of another crack at the task and the jackpot. New people and fresh ideas are needed but change is hard to come by – better a devil you know than the devil you don’t.

Journeymen masquerading as “experts” will be packing their bags for a short sojourn or speaking tour. Remember the Australian lawyer who denounced the US Department of Justice and trumpeted that it had overstepped all established statutes? Remember the “exclusive” interview conducted in Kuala Lumpur but datelined as Brisbane?

Yes, they will all be at the party with their inconvertible and immutable talents, knowledge and experience. Joining them will be propaganda chiefs, spin doctors and the odd trouble stirrer. Man would be willing to sell their souls for a few silvers and a few more, betraying the trust of the people.

Although it has yet to officially begin, the events preceding are hotting up. Sit back, watch them, listen to them and keep a record of the promises made and the goodies that would be delivered.

Let me tell you, many of them will not be kept and there will certainly be some deceptive characters at your doorsteps. - Mkini

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R NADESWARAN is a veteran journalist who writes on bread-and-butter issues. Comments: citizen.nades22@gmail.com.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.