Political parties made the Malaysian people their centre of attention during the 13 days of the election campaign and one day of voting. The people are now irrelevant; they no longer call the shots and will not matter for another five years. What should be a three-way discussion between the people, politicians and the media is usually just a politics-media dance.

Politicians from Umno to MCA, MIC, PKR, DAP, PAS, etc, are now busy trying to understand what happened in the general election. In the media forum, they meet the many instant analysts pushing their own versions of the truth.

Even while analysing the results, political parties are assessing the degrees of legislative powers they are dealt with and their derived executive powers. They are in a hurry to get on with strengthening these powers and cutting down their opponents'.

No doubt, big changes have taken place and the forces competing for power are more evenly matched. But nothing changes the fundamental drive of political parties to strive to acquire and maximise power.

The public may want policies, laws and regulations that make their life better. But in the inter- election period, they must shout to even be heard. The media will be at the politicians’ beck and call because a chance statement could spur an opponent’s retort, letters to the editor, etc. and hopefully another controversy.

Scoring political points and selling newspapers are mutually supportive goals. Helping them in this great game are paid spin-doctors.

Watch out for an onslaught of entertaining political stunts, including grandstanding, race-baiting, keris and fist-waving, hand-kissing, anonymous letter writing, even miming and ventriloquism.

All these are a terrible waste of time and resources. Concerned citizens must help draw the public's attention away from political stunts to the real issues of good governance and effective public management. It will take all their alertness, skill and energy.

Whatever it takes, Malaysia must be saved from its politicians.