BN in Melaka: shaken but not stirred.

updated version.
The mainstream media paints an upbeat picture of Melaka’s Ali Rustam. That he has steered the state to new frontier of economic achievements. The prevailing picture is a Melaka driven by strong economy based on a number of revenue generating activities. In 2010, Melaka owed the Federal government RM 88 million which wasn’t paid. The accumulated debt owned by Melaka to the Federal government is RM 853 million.

Perhaps the people of Melaka should be aware of that. The physical development of Melaka has been achieved on the back of mounting debts. Some people trivialize the matter by saying; the debt is owed to the Federal government, not private banks. If they are owed to banks, the banks can foreclose assets. The Federal government does not bankrupt its state debtors. 
Yes, but Public debts are shouldered by every citizen in Melaka and it’s not the result of their doing but that of a rapacious and irresponsible government.

The people of Melaka are more knowledgeable about the many facilities built at massive costs that are becoming white elephants. The Melaka Airport which serves as a private airbase for the CM , the Melaka CIQ , a monstrosity built out of proportion to the size of incoming traffic. Why not build a bridge linking Melaka to the nearest Indonesian landmass?

Be that as it may, I can’t argue with the numbers. BN will still control the majority of parliamentary seats in Melaka. Out of the 6 federal seats, BN is likely to retain 4.

The opposition faces some good prospects in at least 2 seats; Kota Melaka and Bukit Katil. They can give a fair fight in Jasin and Tangga Batu. Alor Gajah is a potential area which Pakatan can intensify efforts in.

	PARLIAMENT	% support for opposition 2004	% support for opposition in 2008	Vote swing % 2008	If vote swing is 8%
1	MASJID TANAH	26.4	29.4	11.0	37
2	ALOR GAJAH	28	32	14.0	40
3	TANGGA BATU	29.3	33.5	14	41
4	BUKIT KATIL	36.2	47.6	31	55
5	KOTA MELAKA	52.7	57.3	9	65
6	JASIN	31	34.7	12	43

Tonight, Tamrin Tun Ghafar will officially join PAS. Since he has served as MP in the area now called Bukit Katil, perhaps it would be of strategic significance fielding Tamrin in Bukit Katil. Tamrin is a gadfly; when asked whether he is scared that UMNO will now assassinate his character, he answered in his typical in your face style. He is not afraid because he says, in the past he is indeed naughty and was known as a ladies man. Because he says, that kind of image is expected of an UMNO politician. When pressed further he says- he knows almost all the starlets and artistes in Malaysia, save for 2 people- Ziana Zain and Zahida Rafiq. I was sure when he answered that, there was a mischievous twinkle in his eye.