COMMENT With the decision by PAS Ppesident Hadi Awang to support Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim, the era of amateur politics that began with the 2008 general election has finally come to an end.

In April 2008, the weak leadership of the Barisan Nasional led by Abdullah Badawi saw record losses at the general elections. It ushered in a period of much public attention and enthusiasm for local politics. A group of amateurs comprising idealists and middle-class do-gooders actually got elected. Even a socialist got elected!

The BN government reeling from a massive loss of support tried everything to win over the electorate especially in urban areas. 1Malaysia and Pemandu were twin policies and agencies set up to give more “space” to the public and to unite Malaysians under the BN leadership.