Opinion Poll: A New Era Begins in Tunsville

Technorati tags: Malaysia, Najib Abdul Razak, Prime Minister, Opinion Poll, RAHMAN Prophecy

Updated @ 1111hrs April 4, 2009: Walski has included a guide to what the poll choices mean, at the very end of the post.

Original Post:
It’s official.

Najib has been sworn in as Malaysia’s 6th Prime Minister. And, as some political commentators have indicated, the country’s first anointed one.

Despite several attempts to derail the transition, the R.A.H.M.A.N. prophecy finally comes to fruition. R.A.H.M.A.N. comes from the name of the nation’s first premier, Tunku Abdul Rahman, and has since pretty much “predicted” all 6 of Malaysia’s PMs – Tunku Abdul Rahman, Abdul Razak (Najib’s father), Hussein Onn, Mahathir Mohamed, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, and now Najib Abdul Razak.

The common question many people ask is, of course, “And then what?”. Since Walski’s crystal ball has been rendered totally dysfunctional (a long story which we won’t get into), that question will remain unanswered. For now.

The more important question that Walski would like to know is this: how do you feel about Najib assuming the PM’s role? And that, sports fans, is therefore the subject of myAsylum’s latest opinion poll, located where the polls are usually located, at the side bar to the right.

And for some strange reason that escapes Walski altogether, the outgoing PM, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, AND his wife, get bestowed the highest honor, the Tun-ship. Mahathir and his wife Dr. Siti Hasmah, Walski can understand.

But Pak Lah? And Jeanne?
(what will life in Tunsville be like, and more, in the full post)

Now, granted the man did serve as our Prime Minister for the past 6 years, give or take. But it was somewhat a lackluster 6 years. Or is being bestowed the Tun-ship something that all surviving PMs can expect to get once they quit the post?

Then again, it’s the King’s prerogative to bestow whatever honor to whomever he sees fit. And far be it for Walski to question that, lest he be labeled a traitorous fool. Still, Walski does wonder…

In any case, back to the subject of the poll du jour.

As it has been the case for the last few polls, Walski has provided a Blogger gadget addition tool at the bottom of the poll. Because he wants as many people as possible to take the poll, so that the opinions gathered are as representative as possible.

So, if you have a Blogger blog, you can easily add the poll to your blog – just click on the icon below the poll, and follow the simple instructions. If you’d like to add it to a different blog platform, or at another site, you can get the codes from here.

Like Walski said, he'd like as many people as possible to offer their opinions. And what are Walski’s feelings about the new Najib era?

Well, truth be told, he’s somewhat apprehensive on the one hand, but hopeful on the other. In other words, Walski has mixed feelings about what the Najib era has in store.

When Walski started writing this post, it was sometime Friday afternoon. Before the big first speech as Prime Minister. Yes, the one announcing the release of 13 ISA detainees and lifting the 3-month ban on two un-named party newspapers (via The Malaysian Insider) although, it’s no big secret as to which two.

Has this changed Walski’s apprehension? Not really. Although he welcomes the news of the ISA detainee release, and the un-banning, a very smart first move, Walski cannot help but think that it’s part of a PR exercise. As in Public Relations, not Pakatan Rakyat.

Call it being cynical, if you must. Walski believes that a healthy dose of cynicism is a good thing. So, bottom line – great news, but he prefers to wait and see what else is in store. In the meantime, the apprehension stays. Although, Walski does admit that it’s a positive start, and that credit should be given where credit is due.

In any case, the poll will be up for a week, until midnight next Friday (April 10th). Thanks to those who’ve already participated – so far, however, no one has chosen being Optimistic as how they feel. Which, truth be told, is not all that surprising.

The last 5+ years, which has seen the ascension of UMNO’s favored son, has left us all a little weary and cynical. And now that Najib is finally PM, that cynicism will take a while yet to go away, Walski thinks.

More positive moves like the one today would help, but as Walski has indicated before, it’s a wait and see kind of thing for him. And he suspects, for many others as well.

Update: A Guide to the Poll choices
Just in case the choices have you a little confused, here's a quickie guide to what they mean (in order of mood severity):

• Optimistic – this is the most obvious one, meaning that you think good things are afoot.
• Apprehensive – you’re not exactly pessimistic, but you prefer to wait and see. However there is some cautious optimism present somewhere inside you (hiding, and waiting for the right moment).
• Unsure – you don’t have a clue what to think, or you don’t really have an opinion either which way.
• Worried – you have this foreboding feeling that bad things will happen.
• Time to pack my bags and emigrate – you are much more than worried, and are pretty damned sure that the country’s fucked. 

Now that Walski has given you all the information you need, there’s no more excuse for not taking the poll… heh heh… But seriously, he looks forward to your responses.