COMMENT | Not nomination day yet, but sparks already flying

COMMENT | Incumbents have been dropped, the rule of some wayward warlords has come to a premature end, and attempts are being made to cleanse the reputation of certain people with sullied pasts. When the culling takes place, some innocent players end up being sacrificed.

Fortunes have changed for some, many had their political careers sniped on the ascendency, while others have found salvation from their respective leaders, some of whom have chosen to ignore the past for political expediency.

Swapping of seats and exchanges have been done like booty from the spoils of war, parties exchange words of fire claiming some as their personal treasures discovered by their own efforts. Others are treating seats like a family hand-me-down with scions lining up to inherit the family mantle.

There were cases of ‘merajuk’ (sulking) like a child not getting his sweets only to repent and suddenly remember the maxim that in Malaysian politics, it is ‘jangan lawan towkay’ (don’t fight the boss). Like a Tamil movie, all well ends well.

It isn’t nomination day yet, but the sparks are already flying. The announcement of the list of candidates by their respective parties has resulted in many of their past coming under scrutiny and for good reasons too - the need for candidates of integrity and of impeccable character.

Last week, Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob repeated the same mantra used in previous elections - all Umno candidates will undergo a strict vetting process, including checks with the Religious Affairs Department.

Those nominated would be vetted by agencies, such as the police, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and Insolvency Department, to ensure that the candidates are free from any underlying issue that could affect their nomination.

Really? These enforcement agencies can only state if you have been charged, not if you are under investigation, and Ismail Sabri missed the elephant in the room - his president is facing 47 charges including 12 for criminal breach of trust.

There was disappointment for one hopeful. Having spent large sums of money supplying fish and chicken...