Small Wave Turns To Political Tsunami

KUALA LUMPUR, March 9 (Bernama) -- What was first thought as a small wave has turned into a political tsunami following the outcome of this general election.

Barisan Nasional (BN) lost four states -- Penang, Kedah, Selangor and Perak -- apart from failing to wrest Kelantan.

BN component parties, especially Gerakan, MIC, PPP and MCA, lost heavily in their attempt to grab parliamentary seats.

Political analyst Associate Professor Dr Mohamed Mustaffa Ishak believed national issues such as the country's leadership, family involvement in politics and business, Hindraf and price hike were the main factors that contributed to the results.

It seemed that urban Chinese voters were not happy with such issues and the urban Malay also followed the trend.

He said the choice of candidates, Umno internal bickering and poor BN machinery and strategies have also contributed to the scenario.

"The rakyat has now translated their votes into real protest," he added.

An abnormal high percentage of silent voters of between 35 and 40 percent compared to the normal average of 20 percent swayed most of their votes for the opposition.

Mohamed Mustaffa said the outcome of this general election was worse than the 1969 general election.

Although BN secured only 51 per cent majority to form the federal government in 1969, the only state lost then was Kelantan compared to five states this time, he said.

He believed that BN did not expect this kind of defeat as the coalition thought they were encountering a "small wave" only in Penang and some resistance when trying to capture Kelantan.

"They underestimated the rakyat's strong sentiments towards the national issues that turned into tsunami," he said. He believed that the opposition too did not expect such a big win.

Mohamed Mustaffa said Umno counterparts such as Gerakan, PPP, MIC and MCA were hard hit by the national issues.

"They lost not because of their own problems but the national issues and the contributing factors," he said.

In Penang, the failure of Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon to groom a good successor and to come up with a credible line-up also added to the changing political landscape in the state, according to Mohamed Mustaffa.

"This has created an uncertain situation in the state," he said.

"The message is loud and clear. The rakyat want to see changes... all sorts of changes."

Umno, Mohamed Mustaffa said, needed to re-evaluate itself and carry out a major overhaul in order to retain its relevancy.

"If not Umno will be wiped out in the next general election," he said.

As at 4.30am, election results are still being updated and BN has yet to secure the two-third majority.

BN should thank Sabah and Sarawak for delivering seats as expected and saving the coalition from further humiliation, said Mohamed Mustaffa.