As the countdown to Nov 19, 2016 is picking up momentum, there appears to be an eerie disquiet in the air nationwide. The mood swing appears most uncertain and the unpredictable dampening current weather sums up that swing quite closely.

On the one hand, we are witnessing the red-shirts spearheaded by an Umno leader becoming bold and ever more brazen as the clock ticks. It seems that there is a general and swelling perception that Jamal Md Yunos, the Sungai Besar chieftain, is being shielded and is likely the front-man of more dubious power brokers at the back.

Meanwhile, whether we admit or deny, the Bersih 5 forces are gaining in strength with many on the streets, within corporate corridors and warongs openly sharing that they want to be part of this nation’s history come Nov 19.

The police, meanwhile, appear to give the widespread impression that they are all for Najib Abdul Razak’s government. They have, in issuing statements, sort of preempted what they will do come Nov 19.

That impression is being emboldened from several vantages. One of which is the statement issued by human rights champions, ie Suhakam, locally, and even from the United Nations.

The prime minister of Malaysia has fortified the perception among citizens that he is fighting for his survival. His very silence insofar as not reprimanding the red-shirts despite the numerous media accounts and visual evidence of aggression, intimidation and coercion, has not helped to salvage Najib’s battered image.

The continued threats and condemnations by Umno leaders over Bersih 5 is not helping Umno insofar as rescuing its own fate in the wake of the 1MDB scandal is concerned.

And with Bersih getting support for ex leaders of this nation including former premier and architect of a reborn Umno, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, is giving Bersih 5 tremendous traction especially among the Malay community.

While PAS may be playing a wait-and-see game, its unwillingness to openly stand up and be counted is increasing being seen as a non-issue given the growing numbers of the non-PAS Malays getting interested in Bersih 5.

Indeed the nation’s future is now a pendulum swing. At some point it will decisively toll the bell determining the country’s future.

Will it lead to Najib’s forced resignation and an over-pouring of ‘maafs’ and ‘salams’ as Malaysians celebrate the dawn of a brave new nation of free, fair and just governance to build a whole new political landscape cut out to embrace the New Age?

Will it lead to a bloody riot by the red-shirts as they have increasingly upped their threats these past weeks, while Najib uses this excuse to tighten the bolts on his determined premiership?

Yes, the pendulum swing has begun. Indeed, Nov 19 is being closely watched the world over. The government under Najib has contributed greatly to putting Malaysia on a critical pendulum swing.