"Shocking Election Results", "BN Forms Federal Government By Simple Majority", "Barisan Routed". Just a few titles I came across as I went through the election news today. Its was indeed worth staying up late last night to watch the results comming in which was much more interesting then a Champions League Final. I did learn a new term also, "Political Tsunami". This is so true from what is happening since 1999. A tsunami happends when a storm arises but before it actually hits the condition will be calm. As we seen in the 1999 elections, opposition parties such as PKR and PAS made thier pressence known with interesting victories but when 2004 came around BN once again humilliated thier opponents by a landslide victory taking Terengganu which was a PAS stronghold and Kota Melaka which was a DAP stronghold.

The seas where getting rougher for the pass 2 years leading up to the 12th general election and last night the tsunami finally strucked leaving little survivors. PAS incresed its grip on Kelantan, DAP routed Gerakan to claim Penang, and Perak, Selangor and Kedah also fell into oppostion hands. Top ministers such as Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu and Datuk Seri Shahizat Abdul Jalil to name a few lost to opposition who are counted as freshies in the political circle. Even if BN retained Terengganu it was with a really big price. So what could be the cause of BN's routing by the opposition? Is the rakyat honestly voting for the opposition or are they purposely giving BN a run for thier money? Obviously someone with a logical mind would not vote for PAS after its ridiculous menifesto was presented.

Indeed this is a strong wake up call for the leaders in BN who are so arrogant in thier way and over-confident. Simply approving projects to 3rd grade contractors, simply wasting money on projects and of course who could forget the over-looking of Datuk Zakaria's 'Palace' in Klang which is built on land which is not approved. Isn't the land suppose to be approved by the government before work can be started? Obviously we can see here that leaders in BN are only protecting thier postions by abuse of power. Giving building projects to 3rd rate contractors who are affliated with them when there are better contractors who bid for the job, giving top positions in large companies and institutions to thier relatives, and so many more to mention. There are also cases where ministers are over-staying thier welcome in the governmet such as a certian Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu. 30 years has he held on to the post and it is indeed time for new blood to take over. Many years ago there was call for him so step down graciouly and now he had to face it the hard way.

Increasing crime rate and increasing cost of living was the main issues to face this election. BN has indeed done alot for the rakyat in the pass 50 years. Billions of Ringits no doubt just for our petrol subsidy and I do thank them for it. As the country advance, the cost of living will also increase. This is a fact and the rakyat has to face it. We can't just keep living in the pass where we can get a decent meal for just RM3. Times has change and I'm sure the government is doing all they can in this area. So the mind-set of the rakyat also plays a very big role in the routing for BN. Its time to get the kampung times out of our mind and look to the future if not then Wawasan 2020 will just be a dream that we will never achieve. Just imagine if PAS took over the country with its ridiculous menifesto. We will go back to ancient times and probably be the worse nation in Asian or even the region. So look to the future rather then complaining about the raising cost of living. The cost of living wouldn't fall if we want to be a developed country and compete internationally.

Looking back to the routing last night, I strongly believe that BN has to start changing its setup. Its 'Power-sharing' thingy don't work anymore. We are a multi-racial country, we are Malaysians and not just our ethnic groupes. BN needs to understand this if it wants to continue running this country. Even if the name Barisan National stands for everyone it's still very racist with all the different parties only catering to thier own races. Even now BN should just re-name itself to BN-UMNO for it has always been UMNO dictating the running of the party. 50 years has passed since our independence compared to our counterparts down south (Singapore) who gained independence 44 years ago. Where do we stand in the global economy and where do they stand? The only conclusion that can be gained is the leaders and thier quality. It is time for Malaysia to really have quality leaders rather then people appointed leaders due to the quantity of the rakyat. Imagine a huge untrained army going against a well trained army which is only 40% of its opposition size. Obviously size wounldn't matter in this case for the more qualified will triumph over the unqualified.

My suggestion for BN is to dissolve all parties and come together as a real multi-racial party and really put qualified people up there rather then through popularity votes. If the leaders themselves can't intergrate with one another how can they expect the rakyat to do the same? Of course it will be tough but with the current setup and leadership its hard to look to the future of my beloved nation with optimistic. Currently BN is the best party to lead the country but time will take its toll if something is not done. We can't just hope for the other parties to come out with ridiculous menifestos because even with it people are still voting for them. Indeed I will continue to support the current government but there will be things that has to be changed.