The opposition parties are in such a contradiction

Mahathir has revealed in his article how he had employed all kinds of dirty tactics, including relocation of voters, using of money and materials to bribe as well as controlling the scrutinising system, to enable Barisan in keeping the ruling power.

(Malaysian Chinese News) – DAP leaders said at the party’s re-election meeting that the coming general election may be the dirtiest in the history of the country and urged Malaysians to be well prepared to face up with such an unfair and unprofessional election.

From the 308 to 505 elections, opposition leaders always claim that Barisan Nasional has engaged dirty tactics in every election. But we all know in our heart whether Barisan has really engaged dirty tactics in the election or not. It must be emphasised here, however, that Mahathir has also revealed in his article how he had employed all kinds of dirty tactics, including relocation of voters, using of money and materials to bribe as well as controlling the scrutinising system, to enable Barisan in keeping the ruling power.

Of course, he is not attacked by Pakatan Harapan leaders after the disclosure. After all, they are on the same side now, any wrongdoings by Mahathir could be rationalised.

Barisan has been relentlessly attacked by opposition parties whenever the perception of unfair election exists. The attack will continue until the opposition takes over the central government.

Many people have always doubted allegations by the opposition against Barisan playing dirty in the election. They think that if Barisan played a dirty and unfair game, why did they lose power of Kedah, Selangor, Penang, Kelantan and Perak (which was taken back following a change-over)? Barisan only regained power in Kedah in the 505 election and one should not forget the fact that Barisan has failed to re-take Kelantan for many terms.

Could it be that Barisan was giving way deliberately? Or that the opposition parties had also copied Barisan in playing dirty? The contradiction is intriguing.

Nevertheless, opposition leaders always insist that the elections had been fair in the states under opposition rule while Barisan played dirty in the states which the opposition failed to win. This also includes the central government.

Put it plainly, when opposition stands to gain, it is fair as far as opposition leaders are concerned but when Barisan stands to gain, it is not fair.

Take another example. When Anwar was first found not guilty on the charge of sodomy because of insufficient evidence, opposition leaders proclaimed that the verdict was fair. But when Anwar was finally found guilty and jailed, they shouted that justice was dead and the judiciary had been manipulated by Barisan behind the scene.

Furthermore, when MACC stays quiet, the opposition leaders would make all kinds of attack. When MACC cracks down on corrupt officers, the opposition leaders would say in sarcasm that only small fish are caught, even accuses MACC of staging a show. When MACC caught a big fish but the suspect was acquitted, the opposition leaders would say: “See, I’m right. MACC is doing a show.”

The opposition parties are in such a contradiction sometimes. It should however be reminded here that resentment has been growing against the behaviour of opposition parties in always saying they are right while ignoring things unfavourable to them. That is one of the reasons why certain voters have become disappointed and decided not to vote in the coming election.