By Niza Shimi
It took me a long time to find my mojo again after what must have been the world’s craziest elections, Malaysia’s recent 15th general elections (GE15). The outcome was somewhat predictable, that there would be a hung parliament.
But the forced marriage of Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) has me gobsmacked. Who would’ve predicted that? I would’ve expected BN to become an opposition like the party did when it fell after GE14 in 2018. Not this forced cohabitation.
It is somewhat hilarious to think they would be happy together after all the mudslinging between these political parties during a most vicious free-for-all campaign that saw the likes of gigantic posters, huge turnouts at rallies of all parties and private helicopters. Malaysians do political campaigning in a hilarious style.
The cracks began appearing when Perikatan Nasional (PN) and PH seemed to be gaining seats while BN lagged behind. I went to bed because my heart cannot take the unofficial voting rollercoaster ride. When I awoke, I was shocked that KJ (caretaker Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin) had lost in Sungai Buloh. I would have liked him to win. That was sad.
Another predicted loss was that of Tun Dr Mahathir in Langkawi. People wanted him to rest. Thank you, Tun M but no thanks. The shocker was that none of the candidates from his political party won. They all lost their deposits. Thank you to the 369 candidates who contributed to the nation’s coffers. The money is badly needed.
My disappointment was in Siti Kasim. I had expected her to get more votes. She did a bit better than Cleopatra but they were on par. Well done ladies. You tried, even without a party behind you. That’s some spunk.
But the most surreal outcome that I’m still trying to digest has to be that BN will now form a Unity Government with PH. What the heck? This is my OMG moment. I have to admit I’m still grappling with the knowledge that because of BN, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is now PM. He is now YAB and not PM-tepi. I have to write that with clenched teeth.
In actuality, there were no outright winners. We didn’t get exactly what we voted for perhaps. It is a PM and government decreed by the wisdom of the Agong. There’s a disgruntled bunch of people in PN and Parti Islam SeMalaysia. Is it true, Datuk Zahid Hamidi will be Deputy Prime Minister 1? That will be the day when I will be speechless.
Will this be a government peace and stability? I doubt it. Let’s hope cooler heads will prevail. I reserve my judgement on Anwar as PM. He has to prove himself. Let the fun begin.
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