When the ‘Tun Dr M2' stepped down, people unfurled easily like a fresh blossom. Like the refreshing spring, they put behind the Reformasi passion and welcomed Pak Lah’s ‘Work with me, not work for me’ assurance. Of course, the subsequent freedom justice for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim did not go down well with the over two decade old regime master Tun Dr M2. With a track record for removing people without much trouble, he got us all riled up to beat a path for Pak Lah to evict.
And so, Najib took over the mantle. But the subsequent Altantuya-tornado and the Rosmah-FLOM-tsunami is also not to the liking of the master. So it has to end soonest then the master had earlier envisaged. And so Najib is now given an ultimatum: either he delivers Sarawak to BN or out he goes (and together with the FLOM Rosmah of course).
Now that is a risk that Najib may weather over time but relatively doubtful if the same can be said of a rags-to-power and riches First Lady. For if the Sarawak fixed deposit is lost or even punctured, the cards may come cascading down not only for the master but also for many more individuals who have had their pockets lined very nicely for quite some time.
The backup should be if Najib screws it up, it will pave the way for the DPM to sail in and making it only natural that the master’s son becomes the next DPM. And so the ‘M2’ legacy is reborn. And all those who are connected to the M2 pipeline of benefits will go to any length to keep that dream a reality too.
Now that is equally nightmarish. So perhaps that explains Najib’s unprecedented cancellation of his itinerary in the Federal Capital and getting on the campaign trails in Sarawak. Perhaps that explains why the Perkasa lawmaker continually gets away with sedition scot free. Likewise, that is why the Anwar sex porn manufacture is a sequel to Sodomy II.
Is all of the above fact or fiction?
It is what people are saying or meaning everyday in the new media, at the warongs and in the neighborhoods across the nation and more obviously in the Sarawak campaign trail. When 10,000 people gather to hear Anwar speak and respond spontaneously or when 30,000 Muslims convene to pray for him it is also translated to the above notions held by the rakyat. We call this perception – that is, widely held viewpoints that need not necessarily have any facts bridged to it. This clarification and understanding of perception is necessary just in case the PDRM misinterpret and come out with warnings not to spread rumors.
Whether Tun Dr M2 will be rewarded with his dream plan delivered on a silver platter at the Sarawak elections is the only crucial question evading all of us. Already punters will be busy as usual again. Meanwhile, the public will be reminded in no uncertain terms that it will be ‘broken bones, crushed bodies and lost lives’ if the voters become bold risk takers.
As the countdown gets closer to polling day, West Malaysians who are tired of the BN battles, are sitting tight, watching. Their silent prayer perhaps is: “deliver us from our evil pains”. Now Sarawakians can either emerge as the first in the history of the nation to bust the BN legacy or they can be a terrible wet blanket for the urbanites wanting change. But there is a twist to all this. We need to finally see the vote count because we have such a dreaded thing called postal votes.
Meantime, the battle cry between the titans goes something like this: From the opposition it is “have the courage to throw BN out”. From the BN quarters it will be, “if you do not vote rationally, you are inviting trouble”.
The ultimate truth is, if BN loses sorely, the Peninsula risks a cardiac arrest. If the Opposition registers a dismal outcome, we will have the 13th General Election almost immediately. And not forgetting another complication, that is, if Anwar gets arrested, there are PAS, DAP and his PKR ready to battle for justice.
So, in essence, between the Sarawak elections and the 13th GE, lies Malaysia’s defining moment in history. Amongst other things then the time has come for all patriotic Malaysians to pray. Public vigils and prayers by those of all faiths could serve the nation good when all else has failed.
*The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the writer.
