2013年マレーシア第１３回総選挙.

Prologue: また日本語で？Well, today's blogpost is going to be specifically short and topical so the title basically meant Malaysia 13th General Election, 2013.

After about a year or so of rumours and speculations being entertained by politicos and media which then reaches feverish pitch as the date of automatic dissolution of Federal Parliament inching day by day and a state assembly actually got dissolved automatically (Negeri Sembilan on 28 March) and finally reaches the climax that everyone has been waiting for when the Prime Minister finally seeks DYMM Agong's consent in dissolving the Federal Parliament on 3 April 2013 and the rest of the state assemblies sought respective consent from their rulers within the next few days (saving Sarawak of course, who had their state election in 2011 and separate from general election), finally paving the way for Election Commission to take charge and decide on the important dates.

Yesterday, the wait is over in live broadcast across broadcasting stations and cyberspace as the important dates are announced: 20 April Nomination Day, 5 May Polling Day. The comparatively long campaign period between nomination day and polling day (about two weeks) is part of the electoral reform as per Parliamentary Select Committee's recommendation (which some deems as cosmetic and others as vital) as well as the usage of indelible ink (almost introduced in 2008 but pulled in the last hour), allowing overseas voter to vote (Those living in immediate neighbouring countries such as Thailand, Singapore, Kalimantan or Indonesian Borneo and Brunei Darussalam however has to come back) as well as allowing party political broadcast on public broadcaster (which means RTM) during campaign period (though still subjected to approval by Yo!Rais because RTM is under his ministry. Annoying old man. Meanwhile, Barisan Nasional, the current outgoing ruling grand coalition and the stalwart since day one has been splurging money on MediaPrima Channels including the glitzy unveiling of Barisan Nasional Aku Janji Manifesto just the other day.) In the meantime running up to the decision day, all prospective voters can check their status and exact polling location in the newly updated electoral roll online by keying in your National Identification Card Number.

This is how it's going to looks like when you inputted your IC number. By the way, this is mine (with vital information removed of course). It is as usual then, voting at my primary school. While it is heartwarming to know that most of my peers, young adults working on this side of the pond are in such high spirit for voting in this election (most of them for the first time and frankly not all of them are reasonably politcally savvy) by purchasing their return tickets immediately after the key dates are announced, I for one is still in indecision considering my state of  (austere) economy and any unexpected lavish spending (unlike Kuala Lumpur being the capital hence blessed with abundant direct flights, Penang as a second tier city only have that single flight by Cattle Class Air Asia to my hometown Kuching, another second tier city, dead in the morning) is subject to approval of my current financier (aka parent) not too mention my currently pinching deadline on that something I should've done long ago.  I missed out my first chance of voting in the previous Sarawak State Election, am I going to miss out this one then? Who knows. My bank account will decide.

With the vital dates finally announced, the campaign machines for all political parties/coalitions has finally shifted to overdrive and they are not wasting any second to woo our attentions across all forms of media and hopefully eventually gaining our votes in their favour with particular attention to the cyberwar of information/misinformation/slander raging between warring factions of cybertroopers (unethical group of bastards they are, hiding behind the protection of anonymity and possible under the desk monetary rewards by whichever factions they aligned to.). Who will be the candidates which will be available for our choice? Will Barisan Nasional remain in majority despite the seemingly challenging prospects by riding on Najib's personal popularity and other populist measures listed in the previous budget or Pakatan Rakyat will finally make their headway they have longed in focus fortress states (especially with strategic placement of their star candidate) and possibly triggering a change of power for the first time in Malaysian political history? What about my side of the pond like Sabah with the Sulu incursion remains in high alert while the rise of local based regionalist parties adding the uncertainty factor in the usual BN vs PR (regarded by them as Malayan) stalemate or Sarawak with its infighting and land grab scandals.

If there's anything I would say about the coming GE13, it's going to be HUGE, it's going to be among the most closely contested general election in the history, it's probably going to be lot of dirt and mud but above all, it's going to be EXCITING.

Have you made up your mind yet? Read, aware, understand then vote wisely. Selamat Mengundi.