{"id":741,"date":"2008-03-09T22:16:15","date_gmt":"2008-03-10T03:16:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bytebot.net\/blog\/archives\/2008\/03\/09\/surprise-results-at-the-malaysian-general-elections"},"modified":"2008-03-09T22:48:49","modified_gmt":"2008-03-10T03:48:49","slug":"surprise-results-at-the-malaysian-general-elections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.bytebot.net\/blog\/archives\/2008\/03\/09\/surprise-results-at-the-malaysian-general-elections","title":{"rendered":"Surprise results at the Malaysian General Elections"},"content":{"rendered":"

First off, I must apologise to my regular blog readers for all the recent politically motivated content<\/em>. Its mostly over; well at least the regular pace it was at the last couple of weeks.<\/p>\n

Malaysia made history on March 8 2008, during her 12th General Elections. The Barisan Nasional<\/em> was denied a 2\/3rds majority (only about 61% control now), and five states, including the most prominent Selangor (heard the phrase, Klang Valley<\/a>? Its the economic powerhouse of Malaysia). The last time this happened, there was a dark day<\/a> in Malaysian history, that have subsequently been written out of the history books. Don’t they learn? History is bound to repeat itself…<\/p>\n

I was awake till past 5.30am that fateful day, chatting with the #myoss’ers, and numerous friends on various IM networks. As the results flowed in, everyone was in a state of good<\/em> shock. This has to be the first general elections, where I saw so many people have a large interest, staying awake, awaiting results. It looks like the Malaysians finally decided, a change needed to happen.<\/p>\n

Stalwarts were replaced – Samy Vellu, longest serving cabinet minister lost his Sg. Siput seat, reminding me of November 2007, when John Howard himself lost his own seat in Bennelong, during the Australian Elections.<\/p>\n

The ruling coalition blamed the rise of the Internet and online media, for their downfall. I say they had it coming. Part of the New Economic Policy,<\/a> favoured sending ethnic Malay-Muslims overseas, on a scholarship, for an education; little do they know, that they are all taught to think and started enjoying the good life (eating pork, drinking alcohol, gambling, et al) and wanted it when they had to return to Malaysia. Anwar, vows to end<\/a> race-based favouritism, and focus on the NEP being there to help deal with issues of poverty (i.e. not to enrich the UMNO leaders and their cronies).<\/p>\n

Already, there is talk about implementing a Freedom of Information Act (reported at Malaysiakini, as a statement made by Khalid Ibrahim<\/a>, the new Selangor MB). I can only hope this translates to action, ASAP<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Friend, open source advocate, popular blogger, participant in NGO events (to be honest, where I first met him – Asia Source<\/a>, in Bangalore) , Jeff Ooi<\/a>, has also won<\/a> by a great majority. I couldn’t be happier for him.<\/p>\n

The young, who couldn’t even vote, turned up at the election rallies, and I’m proud to say, a friend from school, Shazeea Banu<\/a>, was interviewed<\/a> on Channel News Asia, about why she supports Nurul Izzah (Anwar’s daughter, who also defeated the incumbent with a pretty nice majority).<\/p>\n

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All in all, congratulations Malaysia. Exciting times are ahead, and here’s me tipping my glass, to you becoming the economic powerhouse that you used to be.<\/p>\n

Technorati Tags: malaysia<\/a>, elections<\/a>, 2\/3rd majority denied<\/a>, barisan nasional<\/a>, klang valley<\/a>, pkr<\/a>, pas<\/a>, dap<\/a>, new economic policy<\/a>, jeff ooi<\/a>, shazeea banu<\/a><\/p>\n

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