The Johore State legislative assembly election results although, at first glance, show that the Barisan National had acquired the bragging rights having won two-third majority, a closer scrutiny tells a different story.
There are 2,539,606 registered voters in Johor, but only 54.92% turned out to vote. Approximately 45% did not vote, or could not vote because of various reasons. And the reasons could be termed as unfair practice which the Election Commission could have nipped it in the bud. Nevertheless, the results clearly indicate that the Johoreans are not happy with political gymnastics in the country and they want to see an end to it. The BN contested in 56 constituencies and garnered 593,595 votes. Pakatan Harapan (PH) received 367,525 votes and PN 340,615 votes respectively, the combination of both would have left BN to kick itself.
It is also a terrible shame that in a democracy almost 45% registered voters did not exercise their voting rights. The Election Commission had miserably failed to educate the voters of their voting rights and the government too must share the blame.
Having said that what is next?
Does BN led by UMNO still believe that its archaic policy of divide and rule is still the answer for it to cling on to power and protect vested interests? Will it realise that it cannot feel safe over the 12th March results? In fact it is a clear warning to UMNO and its allies to change their ways and work towards acknowledging, accommodating, respecting all races, their faiths, their languages, their cultures and most importantly their dignity. Can BN accept the fact that the Malaysian Family philosophy its Vice President, who is also the Prime Minster, Dato Sri Ismail Sabri propagates is also its philosophy and ensure the acceptance of familial spirit in every walk of Malaysian life? These are some of the crucial questions the youths of today are asking. And they are demanding answers. They do not believe in handouts, they do not believe in vote buying, and they want you to change, will you?
The opposition who have missed the boat can only blame themselves, especially those who betrayed the people by staging the Sheraton Saga.
Leaders like Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammad and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, and PAS leaders got to realise that the country cannot be trapped for far too long with exclusive policies, which had only yielded immeasurable polarisation, distrust and hate.
They got to change if they want to remain relevant in Malaysian politics.
It would have been unthinkable that an infant MUDA could capture a seat in its maiden entry. MUDA and its leader Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman can be the representatives of new Malaysian politics of understanding and respecting. It could, in fact it should, work with parties who think in terms of a united Malaysia where no one is looked down.
Perhaps that is the message Johore, State Assembly election results convey. Re-engineer your programmes to think as a Malaysian with Malaysia in heart.
Thus, the results therefore call for greater commitment against corruption, respect for rule of law and justice.
In the end BN cannot boast it had won the hearts of majority nor have the opposition lost the support of the Johoreans entirely. The Johoreans are clever, they want an end to political gymnasium.
