Inflation, what inflation? Who is reporting?

Inflation is an abstract, it can't be seen or feel unless it is reported by the media, especially the print media. The BN feels that as long as the media did not report on the issue, then the people would not feel it. It is like "see no evil, speak no evil and speak no evil" type of fictional story the kids read.

According to a report by Malaysiakini, The DPM Najib and the Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs ministry Shafie Apdal have both held meeting with the mainstream media not to report on this matter or at least paint a brighter image about the issue.

With the approaching general election, inflation seems to be the biggest worry of the BN and the heat is on even among the UMNO bigwigs as how the inflation will affect the outcomes of the election. It has been admitted by both the PM and the DPM that the BN can't win as handsomely as in the 2004 general election and rumours have it that the BN is struggling with the 2/3 majority that it has enjoyed for the past eleven (11) general election, especially with the uncertainty of the Indian votes after the Hindraf rally in the capital.

The balance of power seems to rest on the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak. However, with the 2006 state election of Sarawak as a reminder of the problems of the urban voters' dissatisfaction, the mood of the SUPP, the Chinese-based party in the BN, is uncertain. Sabah seems to be a better bet for the BN in all things go smoothly, with the palm oils prices at their peak and good tourism sector, maybe the BN can pull off another record win.

So, what is the next move? The BN has a high task to retent its Bumi votes first and inflation is a no-no for the BN and thus the Police had obtained a court ruling not to allow the rally organised by the Coalition against Inflation (protes) to take place today in the nation capital. The government last year gave the public services sector(86.6% Bumi) the biggest pay rise in history with a 25%-35% increment meant to secure their support for the coming election and thus inflation must not offset the feel-good effect of that strategy.

After that, the Chinese votes must be wooed and what better way than to re-open the SJKC Damansara (Chinese primary school) and the granting of RM 10 millions for the Chinese primary schools through MCA? The MCA would be proud to present to the Chinese community the "presents" of their pleading in the BN and forget that the education policies are those of the BN whom they are a part of. The MCA and the other Chinese based parties would tell the Chinese community how "liberal and open" is our Education Minister and of course of the PM in the coming election as they promised not to close the Chinese schools in Malaysia. But the Chinese community is facing the high cost of inflation as it prepares to celebrate the Lunar new year which falls on the 7Th of Feb. The noise on the street and in the coffee shop is not favorable to the ruling BN as peoples struggle to make ends meet in the months to come.

Then comes the Indian community whom the BN was caught by surprised by the Hindraf rally that saw almost 100,000 Indians going to the street. 130 supporters of the rally are still on hunger strike after its leaders went on hunger strike in the jail's cell following their arrest under the ISA. The PM Abdullah announced Thaipusam a public holiday for Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya as well as the setting-up of a cabinet committee to tackle hardcore poverty. But the Indian community leaders in general feel that a holiday for Thaipusam was over due and the announcement of a holiday after 50 year of Merdeka is itself the proof of marginalization of the Indian community and the BN did not set up the special mechanism like the NEP to address the pressing issues of the poor Indians.

Apart from the inflation, i hope Malaysian would look into all the issues such as corruptions, judicial rot, crimes and security, the NEP and mismanagement that prevent the country to march forwards and demand a Malaysia for all Malaysian based on equality, fairness and democracy in every sense of the words .

David Wong
16-01-2008