complicated simplicity

As with democracies, nothing is final until the last vote is counted. No matter what pollsters think. No matter what the Gahmen says. No matter what you hear on the streets.

But word on the streets (AFP, Reuters, Bloomberg) have put the ruling coalition just hanging on for dear life. Attempts to reclaim the opposition state of Kelantan was futile, and even more shocking was probably the loss of Penang AND Kedah to the opposition. Selangor looks likely to end up in oppositions hands as well. Sources put opposition vote count close to 40%, which is an amazing number considering Badawi’s government was elected to office with an overwhelming majority of 90% only 4 years ago. What a wake-up call.

How the tides change. This is the power of democracy.

As I said, it ain’t over till the fat lady sings, or in this case, the last vote counted.