Malaysia’s 12th general election saw the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition severely mauled. Now leaner and hopefully wiser and less arrogant, it is left to gather the pieces and carry on with what is left.

While the government lasts, there is much to do. Apart from the usual development agenda, it should also reassess its past actions and inactions and try to put things right.

It remains to be seen if the leaders have learned a lesson and comprehend what it is that the people want, or don’t want - whether it is only development, development and development, or something they consider a lot more important.