Aplenty are the signs that Najib Abdul Razak’s days at the helm are numbered.

In an interview with Bloomberg earlier this week, the reformist-wannabe warned that the market and the ringgit would take a nosedive if the opposition pact won Putrajaya.

But what Najib did not tell his interviewer is that the ringgit has been losing value against all the major currencies in recent years, including even the Thai baht and the renminbi, while the costs of living keep on rising.

Born with a silver spoon, he has never fully understood the plight of the ordinary Malaysians who are now increasingly dependent on imports of agricultural products while our native agriculture industry is left to rot, thanks to Mahathir Mohamad’s obsession with heavy industries.

The fact is, monopolies are a norm now in Malaysian life. Even if the market rises, it will only benefit BN cronies but not the general public. After all, Malaysia has already kissed goodbye to the booming years of the mid 1990s and all that people care about now is bread and butter, rather than the broken Vision 2020.

Still remember what was Najib’s pledge to the media back in April 2009 after he ousted Abdullah Ahmad Badawi with the help of others? He said he wanted a professional and responsible press, conceding also that “the era when the government knows best is over”.

I am therefore not surprised that he has once again gone back on his words by reinstating the ban on online journalists. Make no mistake: the decision is not one that is bureaucratic in nature, for the Umno secretariat admitted that it “came from the top”.

Who is the top if not Najib? Rosmah Mansor maybe?

And then came the not entirely shocking news that the Registrar of Societies (ROS) had informed DAP that its central executive committed was not recognised , plunging the DAP campaign into disarray.

This shows only that the whole BN is completely bankrupt of ideas. With all the resources at their disposal, they should be more than able to confront their rivals in a fearless manner. Instead, the BN leaders have been resorting to gutter politics and dirty tricks from day one. The latest tactic is just part of their larger scheme to frustrate the opposition front. Expect more to come as the competition gets fiercer towards the polling day.

Tasted tear gas together

However, if BN thinks forcing DAP to contest with PAS’ logo would scare the non-Malays into opting for the status quo, they would be so terribly misguided and even stupid. The Pakatan Rakyat leaders have tasted tear gas and water cannon, with some having even shared a cell and endured police brutality together. It is a comradeship sealed in 15 years of relentless fight against an unjust regime, backed by more than half of the Malaysian electorate.

To create more hurdles just to stop the opposition at Putrajaya will only backfire as always. The desire for change is too consuming to be overcome by now.

NONE Unlike the BN coalition that is held not so awkwardly together through personal interests and material comfort, Pakatan has stood the test of time. While many - myself included - have strong reservations about some of Pakatan’s policies, they know what are the great issues at stake: rampant corruption, abuse of power, disregard for rule of law, cronyism and racism.

Najib and his cohorts can carry on with their utter imbecility, but it is becoming clearer by the day that their once invincible power is at an end.

One caveat: the opposition parties must do their utmost to avoid three-cornered fights. In this, I would not hesitate to support Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) to contest in Sungai Siput, Jelapang, Semenyih and Kota Damansara. Whichever logo to be used should not be an issue, as can be seen in DAP’s dilemma now. We are battling against an evil regime that is bent on winning by hook or by crook, and it does not really matter which logo the opposition parties will use.

azlan Now that PSM has compromised, both PKR and DAP should give way and help the socialists fight a good fight in the spirit of democracy. What Malaysia badly needs now - in addition to a clean and fair political process - is political diversity, and GE13 provides a precious opportunity for Malaysians to learn about the importance of various political schools and ideologies.

The agenda of change and reform is not exclusive to Pakatan, and conceding a few seats should not be seen as a loss. It is also a process of empowerment, and leaders who have served the people well should be given a chance to continue, including Cikgu Lee Kim Sin, who is now dropped from the Kajang constituency, allegedly having been edged out by Azmin Ali of PKR who is seeking to consolidate his power base in Selangor.

Trust me, BN is on its way out of Putrajaya as can be seen from Najib’s lack of confidence and the coalition’s infighting, but Pakatan leaders must be told in no uncertain terms that GE13 is theirs to lose. The rakyat will not be as forgiving if change did not happen due to the foolishness and ambitions of a few Pakatan leaders.

JOSH HONG studied politics at London Metropolitan University and the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. A keen watcher of domestic and international politics, he longs for a day when Malaysians will learn and master the art of self-mockery, and enjoy life to the full in spite of politicians.