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The Johor Bellwether: Think carefully, act wisely - Printable Version

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The Johor Bellwether: Think carefully, act wisely - superadmin - 03-10-2022

[Image: shankar-r-santhiram-columnist-new-170321-1.jpg]

There is a state election just round the corner in Malaysia. And, to borrow from an Americanism, it is arguably a bellwether state election.

In their presidential elections, US political observers carefully study the trends in these bellwether states. The Missouri and Ohio Bellwether is a political phenomenon. The way the voting goes in these two states indicates who will win the US presidential elections.

In Malaysia, perhaps, we need to be looking at the Johor Bellwether.

The run up to this state election has been an interesting spectacle. Everything Malaysians say they want to move away from is at play here, blaring at a decibel-shattering volume.
If we do a rudimentary scrutiny of all the political commentary over the last five years, the analysis would have you believe the following:
  1. Malaysians will not accept politicians tainted by corruption and impropriety.
  2. Malaysians cannot forgive the ‘frogs’ who brought down a legitimately elected government.
  3. Malaysians want to move away from race baiting and religious intolerance.
  4. Malaysians are fatigued by the ‘old-guard’ with their hogwash, and we want new blood.
  5. Malaysians really want leaders with integrity.

While claims are made that we want all of the above, in the state elections in Johor, the following is happening:
  1. A politician with a tarnished reputation for corruption and malfeasance is leading the charge.
  2. There are quite a number of ‘frogs’ vying for seats.
  3. The battlelines are drawn along racial lines with ‘Malay’ or ‘Chinese’ constituencies and the ‘Indians’ claiming to have a real important role in swinging the results.
  4. The same old fellas are on the campaign trail and drawing the crowds.
  5. And, young candidates keep being harassed with interrogations about their ‘inexperience’.

So, the question is: Do you want change or will you settle for the same old, same old?

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