Ooo, the excitement

So we have new governments in some states. What difference is it going to make?

Well one factor is going to be how far the new governments - including those of Perlis and possibly Terengganu - can show independence from the Federal Government. It's interesting that a key debate is centring on the choice of MB - whether the PM's choice or the Sultan's. It shows the slavishness of UMNO's candidates and members that the PM is considered to have paramount power to appoint a MB, regardless of the wishes of State legislative members (as in the case of Perlis).

Looking at other Federal systems, it is clear that at the State level, it is possible for the party to act (to some extent) independently of the Federal level party. Obviously, there are areas where both should be expected to act in concert. But surely, in choice of leadership, the role is for the elected State representatives, not for either PM or Sultan? This is why Terengganu is particularly interesting - it follows none of these models. It would appear the Idris has the support of the majority of his fellow ADUNs (22 out of 34). Yet the Sultan is refusing to appoint him MB. Any alternative would be almost by definition a lame duck Minister.

What, I wonder, does the public in Terengganu make of all this? Do they wish Idris or Ahmad to lead their state into the next decade? Or do they feel, as those who stopped the buses entering into the state presumably feel, that their voices are muted and irrelevant? That perhaps their votes haven't been reflected in the make-up of the State legislature and whether Peter or PAul is chosen by the Sultan, neither reflects the choice of either ADUNs or rakyat. Idle speculation I'm sure - but I can tell you that if I was an UMNO supporter in Teregganu, I would be seriously annoyed at the Sultan's actions. Unless, unlesss... weird how we've seen no UMNO Youth rallies of support for Idris, when they've been so quick to act elsewhere. Speculation, speculation.

This was going to be a post on corruption... but that can wait till I get my books in front of me... Till then.