The blame for apathy in elections (as raised by Amera , Semangat 52 and Citizen Ah Kow ) should fall squarely on the Westminster electoral system that we inherited from the British - the single member plurality (first past the post) system - for the Dewan Rakyat.

Under this system, nationwide vote percentages are disproportionate to the number of seats won; thus returning BN to power with exaggerated majorities (this was especially true of the most recent election). Minorities almost always lose out under this system, either because their votes simply do not count at the end of the day, or for that reason do not bother to vote.

If a proportional system of representation were to be implemented, not only would every vote count, thus combating electoral apathy, but it would result in a far more representative Dewan, and therefore better democracy (and no need for phantom voters). There could be some exciting new possibilities: a more powerful DAP could conceivably rival the MCA for an alliance with Umno, removing the rigidity of the BN coalition system that the country has only ever seen.

This is certainly preferable to choosing between tyranny of the majority and an 'Islamic state'. Such a system, I believe, is far more appropriate for Malaysia given the multitude of ways (ethnic, religious, culture, class) that we are able to identify ourselves and the differing emphasis people place on these identities.

Obviously Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's reforming zest does not stretch this far, but hopefully it won't be long until there is someone clever enough in Umno to realise that Malaysia cannot be a race-based polity forever; but as long as it is, BN will always win.