The 11th general election this Sunday will see the Barisan Nasional returned to power with its two-thirds majority intact, no doubt about it. The question is how the opposition will fare.

Personally, I would like to see certain opposition leaders being returned to parliament. These people have what it takes to enhance the quality of debate and also to act as a check on the government.

Some may argue that the government backbenchers are equally apt in doing their part to check on any abuses by the government of the day. To a certain extent, it may be true. Then again, all of them are governed by the 'collective responsibility' ruling and when it comes to a crucial vote, their respective party whips will ensure that all its MPs toe the line.

In the last parliament, some of the sparks and fireworks were missing. The previous leader of the opposition who purported to be a holy man was in fact more concerned about interpreting religion with his brand of politics and making statements which caused discomfort to Muslims and non-Muslims alike. This type of politician has no business being elected as a representative.

As in the last general election, I see a repetition of some rather distasteful advertising campaigns that are currently being used against the opposition in the mainstream media.

Most voters are no longer easily swayed by such tactics. Once they have made up their mind, no amount of cajoling is going to change their vote unless the candidate makes a serious blunder during his campaign, as happened to the BN candidate for Seputeh in the last general election.