Perak Falls, More to Go Down?

Post March 2008, I predicted that the PR Perak government will only last a single term. The Chinese voters (except the hard core DAP supporters in Cantonese speaking Kinta Valley) voted out of frustration more than anything else. Ditto the Malay and Indian voters. But noone, not even the hastily put together Pakatan Rakyat expected the BN to lose the state. For many in Perak, UMNO and MCA have done a good job in developing the state. Then MB Tajol Rosli was loved by many, Malays and non-Malays, even though he may not be exactly loved within his own party. That a PAS MB was installed, and the perceived 'arrogance' of some PKR and DAP leaders did not help. This led to many Perakians secretly hoping they did not vote for PR after all.

Of course now we know the PR state government is not likely to last even till the next election. Whilst I may not agree with the situations and political manouvers leading to the current impasse, I think its just fast forwarding what is inevitable.

Is this a prelude to other state governments under the PR changing hands via the same method? Kelantan is rock solid, and if you have been to Penang lately, DAP is well entrenched now. Selangor will be the real battle ground next elections. Whilst I can find little fault with MB Khalid's government, I can tell you there's plenty of ramblings on the ground - even in PJU / DU where I stay. If the state leaders - especially PKR and DAP, don't deliver on their election promises, Selangor will be hard to keep.

But by wresting Perak via defections, BN may have just burned whatever moral authority they have left. If they have waited patiently and continue to work on their service centres, Perak is likely to be theirs next elections anyway. Now, we'll be watching a battle royale in Perak and Selangor come next GE.

We live in very interesting times indeed.