The Edge: Tri-election post-mortem

Today, I found out that one of my blog traffic came from The Edge. Curiously enough, I clicked on the link, and saw a commentary of the so-called post mortem of the recent tri-election, containing blog posts from around the local blogosphere. So, thanks to The Edge journalist, Lam Jian Wyn for quoting and mentioning this humble blog in your article; 'Tri-election post-mortem'.

Written by Lam Jian Wyn
Wednesday, 08 April 2009 15:30
The tri-election fever is gone, sort of.

In the wake of the results – 2 to Pakatan, 1 to Barisan – are a slew of blogposts. While some bloggers were wasted from the election frenzy, the blogosphere’s pundits wasted no time in dissecting the results.

BN’s defeat in the peninsula was clearly met by some with disbelief. A Voice was disappointed with the component parties of BN. “Much to my chagrin, the Chinese vote did not sway for BN. Did MCA or Gerakan failed to deliver for BN? Does it indicate MCA and Gerakan as being no more relevant to the Chinese voters?”

Ahmad A Talib, in his list of conclusions from the election results, agrees. He adds that Chinese voters would much rather vote for Nizar, who is a Pas candidate.

While A Voice feels that Malay votes have gone up, the real question is: “Is the battle in Bukit Gantang about the age-old animosity between Umno and DAP? Or it has changed from the battle of party politics to become the battle to win the heart of the voters? Has the traditional political structure undergone a permanent change after GE12?”

Shanon blames the BN’s defeat on their inability to understand young voters as well as what he considers weak leadership which has failed to rein in Umno members . “It's a case of nila setitik, rosak susu sebelanga. And it doesn't help much when the alternative media tends to highlight and sensationalize racial and religious issues or statements made by certain Umno leaders.”

He is also doubtful of the party’s campaign tactics. “Umno picked a local boy as their candidate... Tun Dr Mahathir helped out to campaign for Umno and Barisan Nasional. Khairy Jamaluddin kept a low profile this time around. And the result of these? Only a minor increase in Malay votes whereas the bulk of non-Malay votes solidly went to PAS! The presence of Tun might increase the number of Malay votes for Umno, but can it also be a reason for the huge drop among the Chinese? “

Meanwhile. Syed Imran thinks that BN’s decision to allow Pakatan leader Anwar Ibrahim's former right-hand man Nor Ezam to campaign is a costly mistake. “Ezam is not well-liked, and he is in fact a burden to BN. I wrote before that if BN wants to lose, allow Ezam to go to the ground just as he did in Permatang Pauh and Kuala Terengganu. Like it or not, Anwar’s influence is stronger than Ezam’s, that’s assuming if he has any at all,” the blogger opines.

‘Cyberspace Nak Muay Warrior’ Sakmongkol AK47 is derisive towards the "status quo" -- the defeats merely reinforce the existing governing bodies in the respective states. “That is true indeed. The victories reinforce the status quo in the sense they do not change the rakyat's anguish and rejection of BN and BN's polices,” the blogger opines. “Indeed status quo remains in the sense we are fooled into believing that Umno wants to change for the better,” Sakmongkol AK47 adds, referring to the elitism in Umno’s ranks.

Areka, in an open letter to premier Najib Razak, attributes the BN’s defeat to “denial syndrome” and quoted the late China chairman Deng Xiaopeng: "It doesn't matter whether the cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice, it is a good cat." The blogger goes on to remind the ruling government to sober up and start paying attention to the rakyat. “You have the power for five years. Change. Or we, the Rakyat just need the power a day on polling day once every five years to change you. The ball is at your feet now. “

Those hungover from the election fever nonetheless still have something to say. “To the voters in Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau, we salute you and thank you,” types Balajoe while vIvEk simply quips: “It feels good to deny you guys a win. Seriously!”

Related articles.
The Edge: Tri-Election post-mortem
Shahnon.com: The beginning of a new democratic revolution?