A new political reality emerges 

PETALING JAYA: With the rise of political awareness in the country, Barisan Nasional and Opposition candidates are going to have to adapt to a very new political reality in Malaysia, said political scientist Dr Farish Noor. 

“Perhaps for the first time in this country, they are going to have to be really accountable and that's a good sign for Malaysia. 

“Voters are now looking into the candidates' personal biodata, profiles and records before deciding who they will support. 

“So when I say the ruling party is not accustomed to it, the Opposition parties are also not accustomed to it,” he said at an election forum entitled “Forum on Election 2008 – Change in the Air?” held at the Council of Churches Malaysia (CCM) office here yesterday. 

Expounding his views: Dr Farish speaking to the participants of the forum held at the Council of Churches Malaysia office in Petaling Jaya. 

Dr Farish said this when asked if people who wanted to vote for the Opposition should do it merely for the sake of getting more opposition candidates into parliament, or should the character of each individual candidate be considered as well. 

“For PAS candidates for example, it's not enough to just wear the turban. If the people in Bachok say 'our fishing industry is gone, what are you going to do?' They (candidates) actually have to give concrete answers.” 

“It's not enough just being popular in the Opposition,” he said, adding that all candidates should set Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for themselves so that the voters can see and hold them fully accountable at the end of the five years. 

Dr Farish added: “All candidates will have to demonstrate what you've done, what you've promised to do, and whether you will actually deliver the promises. 

“I think this general election is going to be crucial in one sense – it's an election that's going to have a follow-up because all these parties are going to be given the bill afterward. You've promised us A-B-C, and now we want it.” 

Also present at the forum was National Human Rights Society (Hakam) president Malik Imtiaz Sarwar.

3 March 2008