13th General Election drew near

On 16th April 2011, the Sarawak’s State Election has been held and Malaysian witness the most fiercely contested State election in the history of Sarawak. Even with decreasing number of seats, BN still retain its 2/3 majority in the State Assembly and Tan Sri Taib Mahmud sworn in as the Chief Minister of Sarawak, thus, becoming the longest serving Chief Minister in Malaysia. After the victory of BN in Sarawak State Election, the political quarrel between the two biggest political alliances in Malaysia, Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) still not yet ended. The chronicle resume with much controversial issue thus lead a speculation of Malaysian 13th General Election drew near.

The 2008 Political Tsunami

In 2008, PR shocking victory leads to Malaysia Political Tsunami which is even greater than that in 1969, but without any bloody tragedy. Malaysian has learned in the hard way of how to retain the peace and harmony of the country. In the election, PR successfully denies BN 2/3 majority in the Parliament and formed a government in 5 states, Kelantan, Kedah, Pulau Pinang, Perak and Selangor. It is not just an ordinary state. Kelantan is well known as the stronghold of PAS. But, the western coastal states are traditionally the BN states. The downfalls of these states have a serious impact on BN. The SAPP, one of the BN component parties in Sabah has voted a motion of no confidence against the BN and withdraw from the coalition. In addition to that, the BN Chairman at that time Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi reluctantly has to hasten his step down plan.

Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, reluctantly need to step down in 2009. The very sign of PR's success in rise to power.

Nevertheless, the momentum of 2008 does not last long. After 11 months in power, the PR’s government in Perak falls after 3 of its Assemblymen defected to become independent and align themselves to BN. BN later resume to power. It’s created a one year constitutional crisis which finally concluded after the High Court announces Datuk Seri Dr Zambry as the rightful Menteri Besar and the Sultan decision is constitutional. In early of PR rise into power, it has launch consecutive strikes against BN and its peak is the ‘16^th September’ plans of PR to conquer Putrajaya and formed a Federal Government. Nevertheless, after 3 years, PR has to bear the consecutive attack launch by BN, and it is not an easy one. Currently, 12 of PR's Assemblymen in the Parliament has defected and become an independent Assemblymen.

Sign of a General Election

8^th March 2011, marks the three years of Malaysian 12^th Parliament session. It is also the date where there will be no more by-election take place until the parliament session expired in 8^th March 2013. The Malaysian 12^th Parliamentary Session also witness the most unstable political condition where 16 by-election need to be held. The last major election is that of Sarawak, where BN successfully renew its people’s mandate for another 5 years. Thus, it is the first sign of General Election. BN possibly dissolve the Parliament during the time where they have the people’s support. The winning in Sarawak is a chance that they will win in the whole nation.

The real challenge of Najib Administration will be that of Malaysian 13th General Election.

Another apparent proves of the General Election drew near is the action made by the duo of the Prime Minister and his Deputy. Both Najib and Muhyiddin are currently busy to travel across Malaysia to meet the people. It is get more and more frequent especially after the Election in Sarawak. The tour probably just another customary practice for any Prime Minister as it is their job to see his/her people. Nevertheless, it is a two-edge sword. With the Prime Minister meeting his subjects, it can raise the respect of the people towards him.

Plus, the recent events also an apparent proves that the General Election has drew near. Still not yet recover from its court case with Saiful Bukhari, the de facto leader of PKR, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim need to face the “Datuk T’s” accusation of their so call video sex scandal.

The Datuk T

The DAP and PAS also not excluded where a tension arise that PAS need to withdraw their alliances with PR if the party is still sane enough to uphold their main objective, to transform Malaysia into an Islamic States. An objectives that clearly clash with DAP’s ideology, to retain Malaysia as a secular state.

The PR’s state Government also faces almost the same attack. A critics grows larger in Kedah especially on how the Kedah’s Government action with the case of UUM. Even though the Menteri Besar of Kedah has made a press statement, it is still not widely known and the presses still go against him.

The rebate issue of UUM has been answered by MB Azizan, but still not widely known.

In Selangor, the more intelligent and experience Tan Sri Khalid to administered Selangor are widely accepted, thus, the only cases he need to handle are an accusation of him as a power-mad person. It is because of his decision to not dissolve the State Assembly if the 13^th General Election is to be held in this year as the Assembly term still has 2 more years to expire.

MB Khalid are able to withstand any challenge that his government had to face. He is brave enough to announce that, Selangor will not dissolve the State Assembly if the Parliament dissolve in 2011.

Conclusion

The 12^th Parliament session officially started in 2008 shall expire in 2013. Nevertheless, it is a rare occurrence in Malaysia for the Parliament session to reach 5 years. Usually, it will dissolve in the fourth year. Even though it is vested for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (the Supreme Ruler) to dissolve the Parliament, His Majesty need to heed the advice of the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister Najib still not yet to comment any of it. But, the rumors about it have flown for quite a long time now. According to rumors, the 13^th General Election are possibly to be held as soon as in this November 2011.

Nevertheless, rumors are just rumors anyway...