Singapore and Malaysia, best described frenemies since the Lee Kuan Yew and Mahathir era, have always been linked to each other, and I am not just referring to the Causeway. There is only one day left before Malaysians head to the polls to decide the outcome of their country's most entertaining election ever.
Throughout the two weeks of campaigning, the word "Singapore" was mentioned more than a few times by political candidates of both the ruling Barsian Nasional as well as the opposition Pakatan Rakyat. If merely verbalizing about Singapore is not a big deal, then check out what BN's Abdul Ghani did a couple of days ago.
The outgoing Johor Menteri Besar, who is supposed to be campaigning in Gelang Patah, entered "senang diri" mode by paying a visit to Singapore on Thursday. He claimed that the trip was to have a taste of the daily commuting experience of those who work in Singapore but live in Malaysia.
He ended up having a taste of fast food chain Wendy's where he patronized its outlet at Jurong East MRT station for breakfast. Ghani's Singapore trip was expected to be criticized by his direct opponent, Democratic Action Party's Lim Kit Siang and the latter didn't let the neutrals down.
"If I go there, I'll be accused of being a stooge of the Singapore Government." Lim was quoted in a Malaysian news site.
Why is Ghani making the effort to cross over the Causeway for his election campaign? Does Singapore really play a part in influencing Malaysia's politics? Or is Lim right about Ghani being a follower of Malaysia's cleaner and tinier neighbour? Then, does Malaysia affect our political landscape?
When Singapore concluded its 16th parliamentary general election in 2011 which saw the ruling People's Action Party receive only 60.1 per cent of the popular vote, a number of Malaysian voices were heard to be longing for some "change" in their country too.
Having witness what their Singaporean counterparts did at the polls by making PAP lose a GRC for the first time, many Malaysians now have greater motivation to not vote BN. Moreover, with the ongoing Arab Spring thingy then, people were fired up to give their government a few whips.
The fire has since been doused and reignited by BN and PR. However, one thing for sure is that having seen what transpired in Singapore, Malaysian voters now have the mentality of "if they can vote for change, so can we!". This might benefit the opposition a little more and explains why both coalitions are in a head heat in opinion polls.
Even the most prominent politician of the country, who is in fact nothing more than a retiree, can't resist mentioning about Singapore. Mahathir drew parallels between the 1964 PAP and the current DAP. He claimed that DAP, like the PAP then, adopts a meritocratic system that woud crack the community. Dr. M is clearly playing the race card here and neither Singapore nor Malaysian voters should take this old man seriously.
Back to the lightning trip to Singapore by Abdul Ghani. Actually, Lim Kit Siang did not totally blast his BN opponent. The opposition veteran said that he was considering being a copycat by coming to Singapore to campaign too. He did not do it after all because time was running out I think.
The fact that Singapore has featured in Malaysia's general election is due to the opposition's attack down the south. Johor, once labelled as a safe haven for BN and its largest member party Umno, is no longer a sure-win state for the ruling coalition.
Big names like Lim and Pakatan Keadilan Rakyat's Chua Jui Meng are arriving in the southern portion of Peninsular Malaysia to harass the BN. Johor whose population has the Chinese make up 35 per cent, is seen as a good bet for PR which is more popular among the non-Malays.
Whatever the outcome, let's hope that Malaysia-Singapore ties continue to be strengthened and co operations between both countries ensue.
Throughout the two weeks of campaigning, the word "Singapore" was mentioned more than a few times by political candidates of both the ruling Barsian Nasional as well as the opposition Pakatan Rakyat. If merely verbalizing about Singapore is not a big deal, then check out what BN's Abdul Ghani did a couple of days ago.
The outgoing Johor Menteri Besar, who is supposed to be campaigning in Gelang Patah, entered "senang diri" mode by paying a visit to Singapore on Thursday. He claimed that the trip was to have a taste of the daily commuting experience of those who work in Singapore but live in Malaysia.
He ended up having a taste of fast food chain Wendy's where he patronized its outlet at Jurong East MRT station for breakfast. Ghani's Singapore trip was expected to be criticized by his direct opponent, Democratic Action Party's Lim Kit Siang and the latter didn't let the neutrals down.
"If I go there, I'll be accused of being a stooge of the Singapore Government." Lim was quoted in a Malaysian news site.
Why is Ghani making the effort to cross over the Causeway for his election campaign? Does Singapore really play a part in influencing Malaysia's politics? Or is Lim right about Ghani being a follower of Malaysia's cleaner and tinier neighbour? Then, does Malaysia affect our political landscape?
When Singapore concluded its 16th parliamentary general election in 2011 which saw the ruling People's Action Party receive only 60.1 per cent of the popular vote, a number of Malaysian voices were heard to be longing for some "change" in their country too.
Having witness what their Singaporean counterparts did at the polls by making PAP lose a GRC for the first time, many Malaysians now have greater motivation to not vote BN. Moreover, with the ongoing Arab Spring thingy then, people were fired up to give their government a few whips.
The fire has since been doused and reignited by BN and PR. However, one thing for sure is that having seen what transpired in Singapore, Malaysian voters now have the mentality of "if they can vote for change, so can we!". This might benefit the opposition a little more and explains why both coalitions are in a head heat in opinion polls.
Even the most prominent politician of the country, who is in fact nothing more than a retiree, can't resist mentioning about Singapore. Mahathir drew parallels between the 1964 PAP and the current DAP. He claimed that DAP, like the PAP then, adopts a meritocratic system that woud crack the community. Dr. M is clearly playing the race card here and neither Singapore nor Malaysian voters should take this old man seriously.
Back to the lightning trip to Singapore by Abdul Ghani. Actually, Lim Kit Siang did not totally blast his BN opponent. The opposition veteran said that he was considering being a copycat by coming to Singapore to campaign too. He did not do it after all because time was running out I think.
The fact that Singapore has featured in Malaysia's general election is due to the opposition's attack down the south. Johor, once labelled as a safe haven for BN and its largest member party Umno, is no longer a sure-win state for the ruling coalition.
Big names like Lim and Pakatan Keadilan Rakyat's Chua Jui Meng are arriving in the southern portion of Peninsular Malaysia to harass the BN. Johor whose population has the Chinese make up 35 per cent, is seen as a good bet for PR which is more popular among the non-Malays.
Whatever the outcome, let's hope that Malaysia-Singapore ties continue to be strengthened and co operations between both countries ensue.
No comments:
Post a Comment