I refer to the malaysiakini report, PM coy about election date . The drumbeat of the general election seem to be drawing nearer as all the signs that a snap poll will be held this year are there. If it is put off until April next year, the chief nemesis of the present regime, Anwar Ibrahim, can then run for office.

The economy seems to be on the right track with our composite index regaining their losses earlier. The government is pumping out a lot of funds under the 9th Malaysian Plan and many contractors especially those close to the power elite seems to be getting all the plumb projects. One way or another, the economic spin-off will reach the common people and as Malaysians are a forgiving lot, all the misdeeds of the present regime will be forgotten.

I suppose for Malaysians, the mantra is "better to live with the devil you know than an angel you never meet" when they cast their votes in the next elections. The present government had only lost big when there was an internal strife in the party, like in the 1986 and 1999 elections when strong and dynamic leaders tried to dislodge the former chief from his post. Both of them lost the battle and are now in the political wilderness.

Forget about accountability and transparency as our citizen is immune to corruption practice by the ruling elite ever since we achieved independence, and only a miracle would happen if we want to change the present government as Malaysians are a contented lot who prefer to play safe rather than entrust with the opposition to run the government in the next polls.

Think about it, with all the government machineries at their disposal and a mighty bank account to win votes and an Elections Commission which is biased towards the ruling parties, the opposition will have a ghost of a chance to win big and form the next government.

DAP and PAS with their strong grassroots support might be able to swing undecided voters to vote for them but Keadilan, which is the new kid on the block, will have a tough time to win more seats as people's perception is that Keadilan is Anwar Ibrahim and visa versa, and the main reasons why the party was formed was to release the former deputy premier from jail and since he is out, the support from the people seems to have dwindled.

That said, I do hope and pray that voters will wake up from their slumber and give a good thrashing to the present regime by removing the old and tired faces whose hands are unclean out of office and give room for opposition members in the august house to check the abuse of power by the present regime.

As Malaysians are the masters of their own destiny, let's make it harder for the present incumbents to win big in the coming polls. Records have shown that promises made were never delivered and the present politicians would only show their face come election time and make a disappearing act after the polls. Let's show them the door and vote for those candidates that can make a difference in this country.