By Lim Sue Goan, Sin Chew Daily

Many braved several hours of hot sun to cast their ballots on May 9, 2018. Many took the trouble to get friends to bring back their ballots from overseas. They finally had their dream of a new government fulfilled.

But today, the outcome of their voting and efforts has gone to the dogs, thanks to under-table deals by our dishonorable politicians.

We used to live in a very peaceful country. Unfortunately it is now completely run over by dirty politics, along with the dreams of many Malaysians.

I remember before the last general election, when Pakatan Harapan announced Tun Mahathir as the coalition's candidate for prime minister, he bowed to PH delegates as a sign of appreciation, while his overwhelmed wife Siti Hasmah sobbed in excitement.

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia is duty-bound to apologize and explain to all Malaysians. It was Pakatan Harapan that they voted in, not another new alliance.

On the eve of Anwar Ibrahim's sacking in 1998, the reporter asked Mahathir about their relationship and the PM said it was normal. After the PH presidential council meeting last Friday night, Tun M said, "I am proud that everyone has left it to me to decide… What I say they will follow."

How to trust politics when we see former foes embracing one another?

History could be a very absurd thing. After all the fights and struggles, we are back to square one all over again.

When Mahathir was the country's fourth prime minister, all opposition efforts to fight him and Umno — from the two-party system advocated by local Chinese organizations to Tengku Razaleigh's Semangat 46 and Anwar Ibrahim's Reformasi movement — failed badly. Mahathir later joined the opposition to unseat the Najib administration, and now, he is kicking PH aside in an attempt to put up a new government, allowing Umno to be back in Putrajaya. In the end, Anwar and the opposition (PH) may have to take to the street again to bring down Tun M and Umno!

After more than three decades of endless political squabbles, the nation is back to where it once stood, the fledgling democracy barbarously nipped in the bud.

Even if the new alliance masterminded by Tun M has comfortably passed the 112-mark, the country's political future remains murky because of intrinsic differences within the new coalition. It is said that while PAS will become a member of the new alliance, Sarawak's GPS will only support Mahathir and will not be part of the new alliance nor join the new cabinet.

Warisan Sabah may support Mahathir owing to president Shafie Apdal's close relationship with Muhyiddin Yassin, but conflicts still stand in the way of their parties.

If PAS were to dictate the new government's policies, sure enough East Malaysians parties will not be happy and this will add to the instability of the new government.

In addition, There is serious overlapping in the political influences of PPBM, Umno and PAS. infighting will continue at the grassroots level. Unless Mahathir has some other plans, there is this possibility of an imminent PPBM-Umno merger.

While Anwar Ibrahim is Mahathir's successor in PH, what about the successor in the new alliance? It was earlier speculated that Hishammuddin Hussein and Azmin Ali could be the one, but will they be accepted by Umno and PAS leaders?

The new alliance will be dominated by Malay parties and is veritably a Malay grand unity government in the absence of members who will potentially intimidate the rights and privileges of the Malays. Another rally like the Malay dignity congress will no longer be required. And to please the supporters, more Malay-friendly subsidies and assistance will be introduced.

The country's reform agenda will be put to an abrupt halt. The new government is no longer bound by the PH election manifesto. As Umno and PAS will not agree to some of PH's reform agenda, anti-corruption initiatives and institutional reforms will all be shelved.

There could also be a big regression in the government's attitude towards judicial independence, press freedom and human rights issue.

Even as the new alliance still lacks a definite direction, we can see from the political philosophies of individual parties to know that the future of this country is anything but optimistic. We have good reasons to believe that the new government will carry on with the racist policies of previous administrations, and this is expected to impact the country's multicultural society and the existing multi-stream education system.

As for PH, given the fact that PPBM-Umno-PAS will almost monopolize public rhetoric in the Malay community, Anwar will not be able to gather enough steam to start another Reformasi movement as in 1998. Moreover, PKR lacks powerful grassroots power unless there is sufficient political awareness among new generation Malays.

Democratic campaigns will only succeed with substantial participation from the Malays. PKR needs civic organizations to mobilize the masses.

In the meantime, given DAP's poor showing in the PH government now, the party will no longer see another miracle in the next general election unless it can win back its lost support. PH will have no choice but go back to the grassroots all over again.

The nosediving stock and currency markets reflect the political turmoil unfavorable to investments. It is our sincere hope that politicians will listen to what people in the street have to say.