BN's big win in Indera Kayangan shows that the opposition was unable to counter the dangerous trend of growing narrow self-interest in Malay politics.

One can only conclude that the swing in Malay votes is in part due to the defection of 'treacherous' Keadilan members. Though both Barisan Nasional and the opposition concentrated on national or racial issues like Chinese education and Sept 11 attacks, it appeared that the plain narrow allocation of spoils and rewards among the Malays was finally what won the day.

One can also surmise that Keadilan's Anwar-centred strategy cannot rise above BN's favour-giving machinery among Malay voters. It also shows that Keadilan has nothing to gain from its links with PAS — the Malays do not find it endearing while the Chinese are frightened by it.

While this trend has been happening all along, it was perpetuated to a high degree by the present government and Indera Kayangan is a reflection of the continual trend.

It amazes me how quickly Malaysia have adopted the worst of western political practices without adopting fundamental merits like transparency, freedom of speech, rule of law. At Indera Kayangan, we saw negative advertising, vote-buying, sensationalism, etc.

It sounded more like a typical US election that takes its nationalism for granted rather than a young country trying to build a national consensus. I am just waiting for the day when we will see sex-scandals being splashed across the media, personal attacks, back-room deals, fist-fights in parliament just as they do in Taiwan and India.

On the other hand, it heartens me that the Chinese voters have reaffirmed their stance to concentrate on national issues. The Chinese voted for Keadilan because of national issues like education but voted for BN because of Keadilan's affiliation with PAS and hence the Islamic state issue.

Of course, this is because the Chinese and non-Malays are not allowed to have narrow interest and has nothing to do with nobility. If only the political leaders in MCA/MIC and DAP see the long term benefits of this instead of their own narrow ones.