Malaysia's Election Has Ended; The Drama Has Just Only Started

One of the Opposition Party

Today is the new Malaysian political era after the country-wide election over the ruling parties. Malaysia Prime Minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has been reported for a call of stepping down.

Apparently, 2008 would be the firts and worst year of electoral performance for the National Front which has lost its 2/3 parliamentary majority to the opposition. This has led National Front to relinquish the control power from 5 of 13 states in Malaysia to the opposition.

From AP source,

The elections hurt not only UMNO, which represents the majority Malays, but also other components of the National Front: the Malaysian Chinese Association and the Malaysian Indian Congress parties, which profess to look after the interests of Chinese and Indian minorities.

Regardless of race, Malaysians blamed Abdullah's administration for racial tensions, income disparities, inflation, rising crime, corruption and the enrichment of the ruling elite

The minorities also complained of discrimination through an affirmative action system that gives Malays preference in jobs, business and education. Besides, Malaysians were incensed by the perceived arrogance of National Front candidates, including Abdullah's son-in-law Khairy Jamaluddin, who boasted they would wipe out the opposition.

On the other hand, the opposition, led by former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, organized an effective campaign, promising to build a multiracial, corruption-free society where everybody would be treated equally.

"Anwar organized everything. Anwar provided that unifying factor — go for the common enemy," said Annuar Musa, an UMNO leader.

Malaysians hailed the elections as a victory for democracy in a country that has long been accustomed to semi-authoritarian governments, including the 22-year rule of Mahathir Mohamad, who stepped down in 2003 after hand-picking Abdullah to replace him.

Mahathir, however, turned against Abdullah two years later and became his most bitter critic. On Sunday, Mahathir called for Abdullah's resignation, saying his successor "has destroyed" the National Front.

Mahathir has limited clout now in UMNO but his call was echoed by his son Mukhriz, an active party member.

"The message is clear from the results of the elections," Mukhriz told The Associated Press. "It is a very humbling experience and points to dissatisfaction of the prime minister's leadership."

The massive gains made by the opposition are being seen as a foothold it needs to eventually break the National Front's stranglehold over power and end the virtual one-party rule since independence in 1957.