GE 2013
Malaysia's General Elections 2013 was held yesterday, with more than 80% voter turnout. I was in queue from early morning (7.50 am) and was pleased to see 2 long lines already formed outside the polling station. Well these queues I approve of!
Despite minor altercations here and there reported in the news (pity those 'foreign-looking' dudes), the process was smooth & the first calculations came through as early as 7.30 pm. On FB there were comments of 'blackouts & phantom voters' & nose4news.wordpress did a satire on ghouls who (which?) vote, but from my own rose-tinted glasses things (generally) appear to be in order. For the next elections I'll volunteer to count the votes or at least be an observer, to gain some field experience.
Trends seem to emerge (any Malaysian can be a political analyst after voting in the elections, me included): for non-BN-held states effective leadership is supported, regardless; 'racial' ('partisan', according to Astro Awani) voting still applies hence votes are not totally swung (to BN's good fortune) and Sabah & Sarawak remains BN's 'fixed deposit' states (about time they treat Sabahans and Sarawakians properly!).
Typically BN has been given the mandate to rule the country for another term, but hopefully for the next elections our PM will not wait till the very last moment to announce the dissolution of Parliament. Announcement was made by SPR at about 12.55 am that simple majority has been achieved by the incumbent party. To quote one of my friends on FB "Everyone needs to calm down. Did you really expect anything different? Seriously?". Hear hear.
As for me, I'll be at work at 9 am and things will essentially be the same. Need the middle class working to pay off our dues. Now 2 choices face me: contribute to improving the school education system in some way or the other (do my part for the future) or start planning to move to New Zealand. Congrats to all candidates, you've put up a good fight & the citizens have spoken. Thank you to all SPR workers and volunteers, who have made the voting process move as smoothly as possible. Kudos to all Malaysians who have voted- we have made a difference (or at least we tried)!
Despite minor altercations here and there reported in the news (pity those 'foreign-looking' dudes), the process was smooth & the first calculations came through as early as 7.30 pm. On FB there were comments of 'blackouts & phantom voters' & nose4news.wordpress did a satire on ghouls who (which?) vote, but from my own rose-tinted glasses things (generally) appear to be in order. For the next elections I'll volunteer to count the votes or at least be an observer, to gain some field experience.
Trends seem to emerge (any Malaysian can be a political analyst after voting in the elections, me included): for non-BN-held states effective leadership is supported, regardless; 'racial' ('partisan', according to Astro Awani) voting still applies hence votes are not totally swung (to BN's good fortune) and Sabah & Sarawak remains BN's 'fixed deposit' states (about time they treat Sabahans and Sarawakians properly!).
Typically BN has been given the mandate to rule the country for another term, but hopefully for the next elections our PM will not wait till the very last moment to announce the dissolution of Parliament. Announcement was made by SPR at about 12.55 am that simple majority has been achieved by the incumbent party. To quote one of my friends on FB "Everyone needs to calm down. Did you really expect anything different? Seriously?". Hear hear.
As for me, I'll be at work at 9 am and things will essentially be the same. Need the middle class working to pay off our dues. Now 2 choices face me: contribute to improving the school education system in some way or the other (do my part for the future) or start planning to move to New Zealand. Congrats to all candidates, you've put up a good fight & the citizens have spoken. Thank you to all SPR workers and volunteers, who have made the voting process move as smoothly as possible. Kudos to all Malaysians who have voted- we have made a difference (or at least we tried)!
posted by elya at 8:27 am
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