The challenges in facing Malaysia's 13th general election

Malaysia is a relatively small nation and country in the ASEAN region, but will face the biggest challenge in the coming 13th general election. The country has gone through the previous 12 general elections and the BN government had been returned to power for the last 55 years. Unfortunately, the BN government had faced the biggest political downfall when the state of Selangor, Perak, Penang, Kedah fell into the opposition's rule, while the state of Kelantan was also returned to PAS rule in the the 12th general election of March 2008. However, Perak was returned to BN rule when 3 elected State Assembly representatives left the opposition pact which had given the slight majority edge for the returned of BN rule, less than a year after the 2008 general election.

The coming 13th general election is just around the corner and both Barisan Nasional and the Pakatan Rakyat are heading towards a political countdown within the next 3 months. Parliament is expected to be dissolved before the end of its current sitting, some time in April or early May. This coming general election will be a fierce political 'do or die' scenario and Najib the incumbent BN leader and government is trying to win a bigger majority in order to implement the nation's transformation programs initiated by the PM for the long term benefit of the people, based on merits and meritocracy.

On the other hand, the opposition is harping hard to eradicate corruptions, lower consumer prices of goods and more equitable social justice for the people. There are no new issues and the BN government under Najib is trying to transform the mind set and tolerance of the people, especially the hardcore UMNO party warlords towards more moderation in line with the 1Malaysian concept of national unity through tolerance, transparency and within reasonable equality in the Najib administration.

I opined that based on the notable changes as seen in Najib's transformation programs and fairer distribution of funds under education, economic opportunities and other social benefits, the people are now better informed on the ground and will definitely give a stronger mandate for BN to form the next government. The government has also proven its seriousness in tackling major corruption cases, which had seen the downfall of a number of senior BN leaders at both federal and state level administration. I believe Najib and his new BN team will win with a bigger majority and the opposition agenda to capture Putrajaya will remain a dream. In addition, with the current political and administration problems, Selangor and Kedah may be returned to BN rule.