VDay + 8

OK, it's a week since that historic 12th General Election. What has happened since then? Here's a summary of the news that grabbed headlines:

1. Bowing out gracefully? Or not?
Disgraced heads of MCA, Gerakan and MIC declined cabinet posts, citing the need to concentrate on rebuilding their battered parties. All except, you-know-who...he's really still sleeping and in dreamland! Most gracious of the lot is Koh Tsu Koon; the worst, as expected is Samy Vellu. That guy doesn't know when to quit, now does he?

2. Of Chief Minister and Menteri Besars
Lim Guan Eng's elevation to the top post in Penang went smoothly. So did the appointment of the PAS Kedah Menteri Besar. A row in Perak: DAP (in this case the Central Committee) was against the wishes of the Sultan to appoint a PAS assemblyman as the Menteri Besar. Lim Kit Siang was bashed left, right and centre on MSM as well as cyberspace; common space finally prevailed - the swearing-in ceremony will be held tomorrow. As expected, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim was appointed Selangor Menteri Besar. A battle looms in Perlis, where Sleepyhead's choice Shahidan Kassim was snubbed by the Sultan, who has chosen another. Similar problem may be brewing in Terengganu, as Idris Jusoh's swearing-in ceremony had been postponed.

3. Burying secrets?
News of Selangor civil servants shredding secret documents caught headlines. Really, if there's nothing to hide...there's nothing to hide. Apparently Khir Toyo has got some skeletons in his closet. Let's wait for the outcome! And did he really sign a concession agreement with Puncak Niaga the day before the elections?

4. There is a God...
The Warlord of Klang dies of a heart attack. Fair justice and an omen, some people say. God has finally punished someone for his transgressions...too bad his family would have to live with the sins of the father. And what about his palace? Some say, turn it into a museum to showcase UMNO excesses...good idea, and would generate income for the state coffers!

5. Street protests not the Malaysian way?
Ha ha...this really takes the cake. A few months earlier, UMNO has come out condemning the street protests of BERSIH and HINDRAF - not the Malaysian way, they proclaimed then. So why the hell, the protests at Komtar on Friday? Because of the published reports (again of course in the MSM) of abolishing the NEP in Penang? Apparently, it is said that most of the protesters were not even from Penang!! That's UMNO for you...perhaps they should have been sprayed with chemically-laced water and tear-gassed! Now that would be fair justice!

6. Twists and turns
The forked-tongue of the MSM is all and sundry to see. But with five states under the Opposition, they have to be more careful; of course there's more targets, but they're lead by capable individuals. Even Bernama had to apologise for their 'misquoting' of Lim Guan Eng's NEP statement. Hey, an omission (I think, on purpose) of a few words - in this case - certain practises - brings about a abrupt change in meaning. I hope this buggers be brought to court and their pants sued off!

7. The end is near?
There has been constant speculation on the future of Mr. Sleepyhead. I think he knows that his time has finally come. The BN component parties may rally behind him (as a show of unity only-lah), but realistically the cracks are already showing. From the snubbing of his choices for Perlis Menteri Besar, to the most recent call of resignation by Mukhriz Mahathir, he must really have seen the writing on the wall. Unless he is really sleeping. Some say that he needs to appoint SIL as a minister before he leaves - that would probably hasten his departure. In any case, I'm sure UMNO will throw him out come the UMNO elections... Bow out gracefully or be humiliated out? That's his choice...

8. Economic worries
The stock market took a big hit of course, especially the Government-linked counters; and especially those with contracts and interests in the Opposition states. Worst hit is Equine Capital (PGCC, Patrick Badawi) whose mega project is likely to be under scrutiny; KPS and water related-stocks in Selangor, where the Pahang-Selangor interstate water-transfer project would now be under close scrutiny. Of course construction and property-related stocks in these states are under heavy pressure. Anyway I feel the local market will recover once all the political uncertainties have been cleared away. Hopefully, the increased transparency and crackdown on corruption (and abolishment of the NEP-practices) would prove to be the main investment-attracting changes this election would bring about!

So this is the tumultuous first week for Malaysia. Let's gear up for the second week!