A MONTH ago, when Airasia announced its New Zealand route, an old classmate bought his return tickets to travel to that antipodean country in April for about RM1,500 only.
Chi Tieng who received his higher education in New Zealand, started persuading his classmates to come along. But I told him: “I have to ask Adenan whether I can go.”
Yes, with the State election looming, it is near impossible for journalists to take leave.
Lately, the Chief Minister took everyone by surprise when he announced the dates for both nomination (of candidates) and polling at the opening of an election seminar at a beach resort in Kuching.
“I have already met with the Election Commission (EC) and decided to schedule Nomination Day on April 18 and polling on April 30. No more speculations.”
Chi Tieng was quick to post
in our WhatsApp group that Adenan had decided I could not join his travelling group. Looks like I have to give it a miss but I am happy I probably can join another group of classmates for another trip in May.
A fixed election date will be much welcomed by all quarters – from the ruling party seeking a new mandate or the opposition gearing up for the electoral battle, to journalists and election workers who are expected to work round the clock.
Undoubtedly, many have been taken aback by the Chief Minister’s off-the-cuff announcement of the election dates. The general presumption was he had already exercised his prerogative of advising the Head of State on the dissolution the State Legislative Assembly. Why would he have announced the polling dates if he had not done so? Speculations, more speculations!
Constitutionally, the election dates can only be decided and announced – independently and fairly – by the EC. Herein lies the surprise element in Adenan’s impromptu announcement of the election dates.
The Chief Minister later clarified he met the EC only to propose the dates. Whether he purposely made the announcement appear accidental or whether he really wanted to stop all speculations and be fair to the opposition, the situation is unique. Never in the history (at least in my three decades in journalism) of election in the state have polling dates been announced three months in advance.
A senior journalist was quick to critique: “He should not make the announcement. It will give the opposition the chance to counter with better planning. He should catch them unprepared or drag them on until they are tired and drained of all resources – then call a snap election.”
I chimed in: “He is Adenan. It will be news if he does not surprise.”
While PKR state assemblymen have expressed concern that Adenan appears to be “controlling” the EC and that the Commission is seen as part of BN, the DAP state chief is apparently more concerned about his Bersih 4 trial.
Chong Chieng Jen was reported as saying the Chief Minister chose April for polling to coincide with his Bersih 4 trial. The state DAP chairman was charged with taking part in a street rally on Aug 28 last year. If convicted, he is liable to a maximum fine of RM10,000 which will disqualify him from contesting in any election for five years.
“My answer is Chong has an inflated view of himself. He thinks he is that important as to show his presence will determine the dates of election. This is, indeed, an inflated view of himself.”
Who but Adenan could have hit the nail right on the head.
Does that really end the speculations? No!
At least, Batu Lintang state assemblyman See Chee How believes the State Legislative Assembly may be dissolved towards the end of February or the latest in March.
He based his gut feeling on the fact that Adenan has met Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and that the BN component parties and BN plus leaders have reached a consensus to leave it to Adenan to pick and name the BN lineup.
See’s logic could be that Adenan has set his house in order and there is no reason for him to hold back the election for another three months. However, does it mean Adenan is trying to outwit the opposition by letting them believe they still have three months in hand and can afford lay back instead of preparing for an early election? Probably. But as I mentioned earlier, the speculations mill will grind on.
With Adenan’s impressive track record of fulfilled promises such as recognition of the United Examination Certificate (UEC), a toll-free state, allocations to Chinese schools as well as action against illegal logging and immigration, it is hard for Sarawakians to believe he will play tricks with their future – even if 2016 is the Year of the Monkey.
Men like contradictions, paradoxes and puzzles which defy reason and understanding. As the Creator tells us, we are created in the image of God but still, most will turn Heaven and Earth upside down to prove they evolved from monkeys in gradual stages. We like to make monkeys of ourselves but the following poem actually tells monkeys have more sense than we have!
Three monkeys sat on a coconut tree
Discussing the things that are said to be
Said one to another: “Now listen you two
There’s a certain rumor but it can’t be true.
That man descended from our noble race
Why, the very idea; it’s a disgrace!
No monkey ever deserted his wife,
Starved her babies and ruined her life.
Nor did ever a mother-monkey
Leave her babies with others to bunk
Or pass them on from one to another
‘Till they scarcely knew who was their mother.
“And another thing you’ll never see
A monkey building a nest around a coconut tree
And let the coconuts go to waste
Forbidding all other monkeys to have a taste.
Why, if I build a fence around a coconut tree
Starvation would cause me to distribute to you
Here’s another thing a monkey won’t do –
Go out at night and get on a stew.
Or use a gun, a club, or a knife
To take another monkey’s life
Yes, Man descended, the ornery cuss!
But Brother, he didn’t descend from us.
Ooops! I am just trying to wish you all happiness, health and prosperity in the Year of the Monkey!