Criteria for victory in the general election

BARISAN Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak outlined four criteria that were used to select BN candidates for the 14th general election on the eve of Nomination Day.
These criteria were their service performance, new faces, racial representation, and certain political considerations.
Many voters would regard these criteria as "necessary but not sufficient". For instance, what is meant by "political considerations"?
The voters could add more useful criteria which we hope all political parties will give serious attention in their campaigning.
Voters would no doubt agree with some of these BN criteria but should add more of their own. Hence these BN criteria would have to be expanded to include at least the following:
New criteria
All candidates would need to incorporate at least some of the following. They are integrity, competence, be able to think Malaysian and not just racially, serve all Malaysians fairly regardless of race religion or economic status, and be committed to strengthening national unity.
Our corruption rates are too high and undermine our development and progress.
Corruption also unduly raises all prices and our already unbearably high cost of living. We often have had incompetent political leaders, who think of short-term political gains rather than take the tougher decisions to transform society.
More transformation can be achieved through the provision of more basic needs, the greater adherence to human rights and fundamental freedoms and enabling a better environment and higher quality of living for all Malaysians.
Most importantly, our race-based policies must be transformed to national policies that meet basic needs of all, especially the poor and underprivileged. That is the main criterion for victory.
New members of Parliament would be expected to work harder to benefit, especially the poor and underprivileged.
Voters' pledge
Taking the caretaker prime minister's criteria and the voters additional criteria, the voters should pledge to:
» Vote against those with a corrupt record and those who live beyond their means.
» Vote against candidates who have made racist and anti-religious remarks.
» Reject candidates who use "dirty tricks".
» Disdain money politics used to buy votes and erode our national and individual maruah.
» Fulfil our sacred patriotic duty as Malaysians to vote early and wisely.
We can add more criteria but they must contribute to the national interest and wellbeing of all Malaysians.
Tsunamis
Najib is right in saying that there should be no tsunami fitnah.
But the way to prevent it is to ensure that the GE 14 is conducted in a fair, free and open manner. No dirty tricks.
Many would argue that the delineation and the apparent malapportionment of votes, as well as holding the election on a Wednesday and not on the more convenient and traditional Saturday, could cause a tsunamii of resentment, anger and protest.
Any attempt by any Election Commission's so-called Little Napoleons to obstruct candidates and thus to subvert the electoral process, should also be condemned by the caretaker government and the guilty should be promptly punished. Then the sagging voters' confidence will rise.
The chairman and staff of the EC must steadfastly uphold the integrity and independence of the Administrative and Diplomatic Service, civil service and not let us down.
We all want to believe that the election results on May 9 will be received with relief, satisfaction and pride that GE14 has been free, fair, clean and a legitimate election.
A voter tsunami can only occur if large numbers of voters feel they have been marginalised and left out of the many relative advances and much progress that our country has achieved since Merdeka.
Many voters genuinely feel, that their legitimate appeals for a fairer deal have been promised, but instead dashed to the ground, by stronger majority and more narrow vested interests.
This tsunami can emerge from many unhappy and dissatisfied groups from all racial, religious and income groups, across the board, as in the case of some other countries, where injustice and income disparities persist.
The secret in preventing and overcoming tsunamis of all kinds is to be fair to all Malaysian voters, regardless of race, religion, geography and income status.
Then there will be no fear or concern over the dangers of any tsunamis from any quarter, at home and abroad, before or after the election.
The criteria for the selection of good, able and sincere candidates and the criteria that voters will use to choose their political leaders, must be seriously and calmly debated by all voters. This is essential to ensure the best choice of a new government for a better Malaysia.
May the best candidates and the better political parties win decisively, with maruah and patriotic pride. May God bless our beloved Malaysia.
Jom undi.
Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam
Chairman
Asli Centre for Public Policy Studies