LETTER | Those who have read my previous letters will know that I am on board with those working/hoping for change. Am I being realistic or is it that I do not wish to raise my own expectations too high?

I do not know for sure. Reading Rafizi Ramli's Invoke predictions and opinion pieces by Tony Pua and Liew Chin Tong do boost my spirits that despite all the odds stacked against the Pakatan Harapan, GE 14 may finally see the dawn of a new era.

But I am writing this letter on the premise that it will be a non-dawn of a new era the morning after GE14. Why?

All foreign political analysts have put the Umnoputras as winning a comfortable victory this GE14. The gerrymandering of the constituencies in the latest electoral rolls, the advantages of incumbency, fixing of a Wednesday as polling day among others have obviously tilted the playing field in the BN's favour.

Plus, I believe the BN has a bottomless war chest. Just a case in point, in Alor Star, a friend's family collected a goodies box (not bag) from the BN election stall set up in a coffee shop - patrons could eat and drink for free and collect a goodies box.
Of course, with the friendly reminder to give the vote to the BN. What's inside - four bottles of cooking oil, a 10 kg bag of rice, a bag of Milo, washing powder and various snacks. Go figure its cost.

At the other end of the spectrum, Dr Siti Hasmah had to auction off her beloved violin, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, his watch - to raise funds for the opposition cause.

There are incessant appeals for donations for the opposition cause. Yes, MO1 is right - cash is king - and he has shown utter contempt for the concept of a caretaker government, showering goodies on civil servants, Rela members, drivers and who else in the days to come.

We who are rooting for change will like to believe it will not make a difference - that those who know of the corruption scandals that taint this government right to its very top will still vote for change.

But, realistically, how many of the folks in the rural hinterlands are aware of those scandals? Of those aware, how many are concerned enough to vote for change? Or will all the goodies that will continue be showered on them sway their votes yet again?

Of course, all is not as bleak as being totally without hope - I know Dr M and Mat Sabu can at least now hold ceramah in some Felda land schemes to alert them of the many corruption scandals that will impact their lives and that of the children and grandchildren. Rafizi's updates about Invoke's work still paint a rosy picture.

I have great respect for Rafizi and I do not believe he is not intentionally misleading the rakyat about the prospect for change. Perhaps he has his hand on the pulse of the nation, perhaps his Invoke's methodology is more accurate.

I am praying and hoping change will indeed finally come to our country. But, whatever, I am giving this GE14 my best shot. I have donated what I can afford to the opposition cause; I have attended PACA training and I have stated my willingness to go at my own expense to be a PACA at an outstation constituency.

Yes, I will not be able to vote in my own constituency, but both the previous state assemblyperson and member of Parliament have done their work and are with the Pakatan Harapan, so this is a non-issue as far as their re-election is concerned.

So, the morning after GE14, even if it be not the dawn of a new era, I can look back on it and be content that, I have given it my best. Yes, even if we who are rooting for change do come up short again, we can honestly say - providence favours the Umnoputras yet again; who are we, mere mortals to go against Providence?

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.