The 'in' word at the moment is undoubtedly 'tsunami'.
To be more precise, political tsunami.
While the sensitivity of the use of the word leaves much to be desired, the obvious effect of such a tsunami is causing plenty of politicians to drown in abject misery or liberating euphoria.
In a nutshell, the incumbent government does not have the all-pervasive two-thirds majority, has lost four states (Kelantan constitutes a failure to regain) and holds three of 13 Federal seats, two of which are Putrajaya (government administration) and Labuan (yonder over the sea). This unprecedented turn of events is further compounded by the fact that for the first time in fifty-odd years, the government is being propped up by Sarawak and Sabah. Go Borneo!
What is now clear is that loss of power can lead to serious withdrawal symptoms. Like a drug addict deprived of opium or morphine, so the BN staggers around the streets, spreading malicious rumours, calling for the royals to overthrow legitimately elected democratic state governments. Quotes by opposition leaders are shamelessly twisted beyond the actual truth. The main component of the BN is now showing its true colours. Petulant, power-crazy, vengeful mob best describes it. The arrogance displayed in opposing unanimously elected state governments just highlights the reasons BN lost. For many years, the Divine Right to Rule and Get Rich was inbred into government leaders. Hence the confusion, lack of magnanimity in defeat, continued arrogance and utter denial in the various BN components, Gerakan being the sole component which has emerged well and truly beaten yet with a perfectly amicable grace in such situations.
However, the biggest losers are the mainstream media and political analysts. Steadfastedly biased and prejudiced in their reporting and analysis, these two government stooges have been totally and utterly shown up in GE2008. NST and Star (with the deplorable VK Chin) are now viewed as nothing more than toilet paper, so full of government crap. Analysts are scratching their empty heads wondering how to spin the current results. It amuses to no end reading 'prominent' journalists like the afore mentioned VK Chin and Joceline Tan, to name a few, struggle to justify their pre-election predictions, which (you might have guessed) pointed to only one outcome – BN winning a landslide. VK Chin's approach of telling, yes telling, us to vote for BN reeks of unprofessionalism and lack of integrity. Astro Awani's Analisis PRU was filled with pro-government lackeys who were free in the use of 'we' when referring to BN. Needless to say, it was thoroughly enjoyable to watch them squirm and sweat as 'we' were losing seats faster than free Milo in Tesco.
Malaysian media, in general is an utter disgrace to the principles of journalism. For too long, these spineless cowards have hidden behind the fact that they're forced to write glorious articles on government, at the threat of losing their rice bowl. This just highlights their lack of resolve. We read about journalists dying in war zones, being murdered by dictators and oppressive regimes. We see CNN in Baghdad, Al Jazeera in the Bersih rallies, BBC in tsunami-hit Phuket. Malaysian media does not hold a candle to these great institutions. What separates the good from the bad is the basic urge to report the truth. And that is an anathema to the likes of NST, Star and TV3 that pose as journalists.
I reckon GE2008 is the final straw. The citizens have shown BN who's boss. It's time we extend the lesson to the mainstream media. Stop buying Star, NST and Utusan Melayu (probably the most race-based daily in Malaysia). I would recommend Sun or the Edge. But if you do need to get a copy of those government mouthpieces, then read them for free on the Net or in any mamak shop. Stop buying advertising space. The arrogance of Star stems from the fact that many Malaysians advertise in the daily for various reasons. But don't stop there. Stay away from RTM 1 and 2, and TV3. Let viewership reduce drastically. Let advertisers see that these channels and newspapers aren't exactly selling like hotcakes.
Like some say, so long to bad rubbish.
(Image from www.flickr.com)
