In a few humble words, he asked for a mandate. And the opposition was massacred. The victory would even turn his predecessor green with envy.

This unassuming man, for whose career many predicted an early doom, has silenced his critics, not with words, but figures.

Rising from the ashes of the political turmoil of 1998, the 'accidental premier' Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has proved that he is a force to be reckoned with.

He has shown that mammoth shopping malls and skyscrapers are not needed to sway votes in Malaysia. A charming smile, humility and a closet with little, if no skeletons, can be more effective.

As a man, whose journey to the pinnacle, was charted by providence along the trail of another man's misfortune, Abdullah had the edge.

If he had cast his eyes on that coveted position since the onset, his career would have been tainted with the familiar accusations of manipulation, cronyism and nepotism. The much needed fodder for his rivals.

Anti-corruption drive

When Abdullah first took office, many called on him to act swiftly to end the rot in the system. Cries to clamp down on corruption reverberated throughout the corridors of power in the administrative capital.

And when he responded, the detractors remained dissatisfied as those netted were not up to expectation.

The so-called high profile figures, they claimed, were nothing more than an eyewash. They wanted the blood of the 'big ones'.

At this juncture, it would be interesting to note that in the past, Perwaja Steel tycoon Eric Chia - one of those recently charged with corruption - fell into that category.

But cast aside these niggling ironies. Realistically, we should not have expected too much from Abdullah in a short period. If the premier had embarked on an immediate crusade to impale the big ones, he would have been the first to be crucified.

As one observer claimed, the system has remained submerged in the cesspool of corruption for far too long and if this allegation holds true, than it is only logical that cleaning it up would require time as well.

Corruption is an unavoidable evil. Whichever party that comes into power would see it manifesting in its system, the degree of which may wary.

But this does not mean that we should turn a blind eye. The proper mechanisms must be put in place to ensure than when unearthed, the culprits are not spared whoever they are.

Abdullah has pledged to exorcise this demon and the people have spoken. He has been given the mandate and his position has been consolidated.

The premier has five years to make good on his promises and overhaul the engine of the Barisan Nasional government.

One way of ensuring that things function properly would be to limit the term of the prime minister. This is symbolic of a truly democratic nation.

The media must be unshackled so that the public can be assured of checks and balances just in case there is another 'oppositionicide' in future polls.

Ministers and other top government servants must learn the art of diplomacy and civility while the propagandists (Zam please take note) should be made aware that unnecessary spin-doctoring can be counter productive.

Humbled opposition

As for the humbled opposition, they should use the next five years to track down that elusive beast called unity. If there is one thing BN has and they don't, it is a united front, at least as far as public perception is concerned.

Ideological differences should not culminate into arrogance or distasteful personal attacks as publicly displayed in the past.

One BN voter remarked although he was aware of the uneven playing field and believed that a sizeable opposition presence in Parliament would ensure a healthy democracy, he could not bring himself to vote for them.

Asked why, he said the opposition here failed to even check and balance themselves, let alone the ruling front.

It is also safe to assume that the outcome of the 11th general election indicated that the swing in the previous polls was motivated more by contempt for the former premier than any real compassion for his deposed deputy.

For the voters (postal or non-postal), you have placed your trust in Abdullah. Now, let us give him the benefit of the doubt and allow the premier to prove himself.

If he fails, well we can always swing the (non-postal) votes back to send another strong message.

On the bright side - depending on which end of the political divide you are at - the comparatively credible performance of DAP and the return of its heavyweights offer some consolation.

The real test begins now. Are you worth your salt Pak Lah?


RK ANAND is a member of the malaysiakini team.