Political fatigue might just be the buzzkill of the state elections.

SEASONED journalists often cringe in embarrassment when their younger colleagues ask politicians facing an election if they are confident of winning and how many seats they expect to secure.

In the media trade, it’s what we call a no-brainer question. It’s so obvious and would be a stupid question to pose to a politician.

No politician or political party contesting in any kind of polls would say they have no chance of winning because they would lose their deposits.

Almost every politician has said they are certain of winning. And Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has predicted a political tsunami.

His opponent, PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has even forecast that PAS-held Kedah will fall.

Bersatu leader Datuk Seri Azmin Ali has talked about the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan state government in Selangor, the jewel in the crown.

His brave prediction – 60:40 in favour of Perikatan Nasional. He only means he can be a Mentri Besar again.

Honestly, there’s a lot of hot air. Most of these predictions are mere psychological warfare. In fact, many are far-fetched tales.

It helps to make the elections exciting, and everyone loves a good fight until polling day, this one on Aug 12.

In my 38 years as a journalist, the only politician who enjoyed playing the sympathy card has been DAP veteran leader Lim Kit Siang.

I have lost count the number of times he had branded himself an underdog and that he would lose against the might of Barisan Nasional’s money, machinery, and media.

Almost all elections during his time were “the mother of all elections” and the “dirtiest elections ever,” but that has never stopped his party from winning.

But he has never questioned the legitimacy of the elections and happily accepted the party’s victories.

So, as a dyed-in-the-wool journo, I plead with all young media friends to stop asking politicians if they’re confident of winning.

Even Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, following his humiliating defeat in last year’s general election, wondered why he lost his deposit.

He was probably confident of winning although most Malaysians, including the people of Langkawi, had the desire for him to retire. He has overstayed his welcome and by now, more of them are simply just tired of him.

It’s painful for many of us now to hear his outrageous statements. As writer Dennis Ignatius put it, Dr Mahathir seemed to have been taken over by the dark side following the 98-year-old’s statement to “stop calling Malaysia a multi-racial country.”

Well, he is packing the stadiums in the East Coast not because of his popularity, in case he assumes that, but because these rallies are organised by PAS.

The Islamist party is more than happy to use Dr Mahathir, and that’s a safe political assumption.

Confident bid: Pakatan and Perikatan supporters heading to the nomination centre in Gombak, Dewan SMK Sungai Pusu, on nomination day yesterday. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star

In these states, where entertainment is non-existent, political rallies are events no one wants to miss. The jokes from these politicians certainly provide comic relief.

So, not only have politicians been carried away at the sight of the giant crowds, but some have even strayed from their main content and run into borderline seditious issues.

Size does matter when it comes to rallies, but it won’t necessarily translate into votes. Large gatherings are morale boosters. It also provides a perception, if not, deception, that one is winning in the polls.

But inside the war-rooms, numbers are being crunched every day to give a more reliable assessment of how the voting trend will swing.

That is not foolproof either. Even the so-called intelligence from the police and army has been proven wrong on many occasions.

During GE14 (the 14th General Election in 2018), Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was so sure he would get at least 120 parliamentary seats. When editors asked him why he was so sure, he said he had reliable information from intelligence.

Well, it wasn’t intelligent findings in the end.

Last week, Bersatu leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said he still has friends in the police, as a former home minister, and that he was informed that Perikatan was leading.

It’s the same with survey findings. We will soon be flooded with all kinds of charts and numbers but take them with a pinch of salt.

Some are conducted by groups that are aligned or funded by certain political groups, and the findings are skewed for political expediency.

Then, there are real ones which politicians will try very hard to dispute and cast aspersions on if the findings don’t suit them.

In the 2016 US presidential elections, all the TV stations and pollsters went horribly wrong by writing off Donald Trump, who went on to win the polls.

As of now, the popular prediction is that Perikatan will do very well in Kelantan, Kedah and Terengganu – all PAS strongholds – while Pakatan will retain Selangor, Penang and Negri Sembilan, but suffer heavy damage by Perikatan.

However, two weeks is a long time in politics. In these three Pakatan states, the only way Perikatan can turn the tables would be to see a 70% Malay turnout and ascertain they all vote for the party. Perikatan will also be hoping that the response from the Chinese is low.

Pakatan will desperately need to appeal to the Chinese to turn up in full force as if it’s a general election.

No one can tell for sure as of now. Voters have bigger and more important things on their minds, such as earning their income and paying their bills rather than helping politicians win elections.

But one thing is certain, we can confidently say that most Malaysians are tired of the never-ending politicking in this country.

Voters have bigger and more important things on their minds, such as earning their income and paying their bills rather than helping politicians win elections.

THE campaigns for the six state elections haven’t even begun officially, yet the air is already choking with toxic political drivel.

The arrest of Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor may result in sympathy for him and Perikatan Nasional, but the message has been strongly delivered to everyone.

If anyone pushes the limit, they will be arrested and charged in court.

On June 18, when the Sultan of Selangor announced the dissolution of the Selangor State Assembly at the Balai Dewan Diraja of Istana Alam Shah, he provided a reminder – don’t wield the race and religion cards and play up other sensitive issues.

The police have also repeatedly issued the same reminder, but as expected, these directives have fallen on deaf ears.

In fact, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil was criticised when he warned of the consequences for posting such messages on social media.

He had strongly urged all parties to refrain from spreading rumours about racial, religious sensitivities and royalty during the state polls.

Whatever the political fallout from the caretaker Kedah Mentri Besar’s arrest, it’s more important that the police have taken strong action against those who’ve challenged the law.

Over the past few months, Malaysians have noted with concern, if not alarm, how politicians have used race and religion to stir controversy on the sentiments of the predominantly Malay voters.

The narrative has been about the rights of the Malays and the sanctity of Islam as the official religion being challenged and threatened.

The perception that this strategy has worked seems to encourage these politicians to push the boundaries even harder.

To them, it’s the end that justifies the means, and that amounts to winning the elections at all costs.

The Rulers have been dragged in as heads of Islam in their respective states. They have watched with uneasiness how certain politicians have used religion for political expediency.

The brazenness of some politicians in daring to question the decision of the Royalty has also taken root.

In March, PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang defied a ban on politicians delivering religious lectures in mosques and suraus by speaking at Masjid Rusila in Marang, Terengganu.

Terengganu Ruler Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin had expressed disappointment in his ban being ignored, stating he “was upset” about some politicians delivering religious lectures or leading Friday prayers without the approval of the state Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (Maidam).

The open rebuff by Hadi didn’t go down well with the Rulers, as some felt this was defiance of the royal institution. Basically, the red line had been crossed.

As early as February, the Sultan of Johor urged his people to reject any form of extremism that could jeopardise the long-established harmony in the state, adding that “Johor is out of bounds for politicians and bigoted religious leaders who are out to break the bonds of unity and solidarity among the different races in the state.”

Thus, when Sanusi pushed the envelope when speaking at a ceramah in Selayang, Selangor, he got caught. He apologised to the Sultan of Selangor for his remarks, but it was rejected.

The significance of this incident is that a report was made by members of the Selangor Council of the Royal Court.

The arrest of Sanusi, who is a popular politician, has expectedly stirred a lot of emotions.

Highly seditious comments against the Selangor palace have been posted by his supporters.

It’s almost certain that they can expect the police to knock on their doors for their “musings” on social media, which are clearly aimed at inciting social unrest.

In the age of social media, where information and opinions fly fast and furiously, our authorities, including the police, need to react swiftly to explain their actions.

Sanusi’s arrest at 3am has been regarded as excessive by many. Unfortunately, the police didn’t issue any official statement to explain their actions until late afternoon.

They should have released a statement as early as 8am when Malaysians woke up and read about the arrest. The police may not care about the political implications, but surely this would protect and justify their actions.

They should also not give the impression that certain personalities – who have also raised polarising issues on race and religion – are untouchables and spared from the law.

The age or position of these errant figures, whether religious or political, shouldn’t be a consideration either.

The arrest of Sanusi will invariably cool down the political temperature. Politicians who sometimes get carried away when speaking at ceramah will now restrain themselves as they know they’re being watched.

Given the intensity of the next two weeks of campaigning, the police should call the top leaders of the respective parties for a meeting to remind them of the consequences of snubbing their directives.

Alarmist messages of temples being demolished if a certain party comes to power or that Malaysia is teetering on the edge of another round of May 13 riots, are unnecessary and out of place.

The politics of fear must end, regardless of our political allegiance. It serves no purpose except to cause uneasiness and anxiety among the people.

Let cool heads prevail over the next two weeks. Ahead of the National and Malaysia Day, politicians must be reminded that this country belongs to all of us.

Malaysians, especially the minorities, must be made to feel that they have a place in this country. No one should feel insecure and have any doubt about their future in Malaysia.

The country deserves to have politicians who build bridges for our multiracial communities, and not those who strive to divide us and instil fear and hatred.

The release of Sultan of Johor’s book ‘Johor Throne – HM Sultan Ibrahim’s First Decade of Rule’ is most timely. — Others

HE calls a spade a spade. When the Sultan of Johor grants an interview, it’s likely to make front-page news because he doesn’t mince his words.

Although he is the Ruler of Johor, His Majesty is a national figure, and while his views are mainly confined to state issues, they always have a national impact.

He is outspoken and assertive, so most Malaysians rally behind him for daring to tackle subjects which reflect their sentiments but are avoided by others who want to be politically safe.

Whether it’s about corruption, poor maintenance, excessive religious rules or royal titles, Sultan Ibrahim ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar gives his views unflinchingly.

His Majesty will be in the news in the coming months because he is next in line to be the King.

The present Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, will complete his five-year term at the end of January 2024.

Malaysia has a unique system where the nine Rulers pick their choice of King for a five-year reign.

While there’s an election by secret vote, respect is also accorded to the rotational system of which state is in line, where the selection follows an order based on the seniority of each Ruler.

The most important criterion is that a Ruler may only be elected if he consents to it, as clearly inscribed in the Constitution as well as the Regulations of the Conference of Rulers.

To most Malaysians, including Johoreans, Tuanku is regarded as a stern disciplinarian.

That’s understandable given his army training background, but many stories about His Majesty are exaggerated, and by people who don’t even know him.

The release of his book, Johor Throne – HM Sultan Ibrahim’s First Decade of Rule, is most timely.

The Royal Press Office, headed by veteran journalist Ravi Nambiar, has done a tremendous job in conceptualising, designing, writing and publishing this 356-page book.

The team laboriously pored over 50,000 pictures accumulated over six years, before short-listing 15,000 photographs, and finally, 320 made the grade.

The process took over eight months with 11 chapters determined to reflect the various facets of Tuanku’s reign of more than 10 years.

It begins with his momentous days, from the time His Majesty ascended the throne as the 25th Sultan of Johor on Jan 23, 2010.

But this book, available in Bahasa Malaysia and English, has provided a deeper insight to the man who has reached a milestone of ruling Johor for 10 years and is poised for the national stage.

Readers of this book will get a deeper and better understanding of this extraordinary figure.

He attended the American Special Forces Green Beret and Pathfinder course, where he completed 19 parachute jumps, eight of which were executed at night, earning him the prestigious Green Beret and Wings.

Tuanku has also made several successful parachute jumps in Bandung, Indonesia, which has made him an honorary member of the Indonesian red beret, Kopassus (Komando Pasukan Khusus).

He can fly a helicopter, training for which came from the Royal Malaysian Air Force, and he received his wings from his father, Sultan Iskandar, in 1982. And as we’ve seen, he can drive a train, too.

Basically, he is a fully-trained army, navy and air force officer – the only Ruler with that distinction.

Indeed, there’s an entire chapter of photographs of his army tenure, entitled “Disciplined’’, where he shares his perseverance and discipline.

Not many people outside Johor are aware he is the commandant of the Johor Military Force (JMF), the only state in Malaysia with its own army.

But my favourite chapter features his role as the “Head of Religion” where he has not only chosen photographs of his prayers at mosques, but also his attendance of celebrations of other races and religions.

He is the Head of Religion, but as the book rightly put – “His Majesty is also fair in his approach to people of other faiths and always emphasises the importance of unity and solidarity amongst ‘Bangsa Johor,’ irrespective of race and religion.”

The book includes a quote uttered by Tuanku on June 1, 2019, when he said, “I wish to emphasise that in living amongst people of various religions and races, it is imperative that we adopt the principle of mutual respect, spirit of goodwill and a heart of love.”

There are pictures of his visits to the state-level Thaipusam celebrations at the Arulmigu Thendayuthapani and Sri Subramaniar Temples in Johor Baru as well as the annual Chingay procession.

At a time when certain religious leaders cast doubt on the attendance of Muslims at such events, Tuanku must be commended for putting on record his presence at these ceremonies.

This book, as expected, has detailed his more published moments like his annual Kembara road trip, where he leads a convoy of motorcycles to all the districts where he meets and hears directly from the people about their issues.

His many welfare programmes to assist less fortunate Johoreans, especially during the monsoon season when villagers are hit, are documented here, too.

He goes to these affected areas and personally takes charge of relief work.

But an interesting chapter in the book is where His Majesty shared pictures of himself whipping up many kinds of dishes in the kitchen. From simple curry puffs to lobster nasi briyani to Japanese curry, he has real culinary skills as well.

It runs in the family as his sister, Her Majesty, Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, is also an excellent cook.

This book will serve as a useful and simple guide to showcase the momentous times of the Sultan of Johor for Malaysians to better understand him and his values.

“This collection of photographs that vividly capture the significance of the culture, ceremonies, functions and gatherings is a unique work for the benefit of my people and also future generations.

“Most people may not have had the opportunity to witness the regal ceremonies conducted inside the Palace. I hope through this book, the people will be able to have a deeper understanding and appreciation of the rich culture, history and heritage of the Sultanate of Johor,” Sultan Ibrahim wrote in his foreword.

More importantly, let’s hope this book inspires Malaysians, whether in Johor or other states, to renew and strengthen their loyalty and respect for our Rulers.

For more information on the book, email general@sijf.my.