BN's last card for GE13: Simulating common anger against Lahad Datu intruders may not work

March 8 has come and gone, which means that it has been five years since we had the last general election. The BN government would have difficulty to have an election without subsiding the Sabah deadly standoff.

The BN, originally planned to hold the election in April, has been caught off guard by the sudden attack of the Sulu armed intruders in Sabah. However, it is an opportunity for the BN to inspire the people's patriotic spirit and gain the people's support in fighting against the enemy.

A few days after the massive offensive launched by the Malaysian security forces against the Sulu gunmen, pro-BN groups have started to take actions, including collecting donations for families of fallen police officers in Sabah, collecting signatures in support of Malaysian security forces and organising prayer ceremonies. The BN also advertised in newspapers to pay tribute to the fallen policemen.

Prior to this, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar refused to confirm the news claiming fallen police's bodies were dismembered. The police, however, eventually confirmed the news on its .

Trying to simulate a common anger or hatred

To stimulate a common hatred and anger, as well as fight the support of the international community, it is necessary to expose the brutality of the enemy to highlight the reasonableness of launching the massive offensive, as well as to tell Filipinos supporting the Sulu gunmen that the gunmen are not righteous fighters. The Philippine Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that if the dismemberment claim is true, it is then a terrorist act.

The police also narrated on its the process of the force being ambushed and attacked when searching for gunmen in Kampung Simunul on 2 March, as well as the process of removing the bodies of fallen policemen and rescuing trapped police officers. This allows the people to feel and touched by policemen's sacrifices in defending the country's sovereignty.

In addition, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak also visited Sabah to boost the morale of the security forces involved in the operation.

In times of war, personal comfort given to front-line soldiers by national leaders could boost morale while paying tribute to the soldiers on behave of the people. During the war of terror, the then US President George W Bush had taken the risk and visited Afghanistan to boost morale. Current President Barack Obama also paid a rush visit to Afghanistan in March 2010.

It is better to show support for the front-line security personnel than trying to attack political enemy like PKR vice-president Tian Chua who suggested a conspiracy theory. Emotional expression of support can touch the hearts better.

BN's trump card may backfire

However, Malaysia lacks a national consensus and the people's feeling for the country is not strong. Malaysians generally lack the sense of crisis, too. We still need to wait and see whether the movement of supporting the security forces would last until the general election and turn into votes.

Whether the national security issue will affect the election results depends on two factors, namely the outcome of the operation to exterminate the Sulu gunmen and whether the crisis in Sabah can be solved.

The massive offensive launched against the Sulu gunmen is the biggest military operation since the end of the war against the Malayan Communist Party. Therefore, it is indeed a big challenge to the security forces. The people's emotions will run high if they can thoroughly defeat the Sulu gunmen, like how the US military routed the Taliban.

Secondly, to solve the Sulu Sultanate sovereignty claim once and for all, the government must kill their dream of reviving the Sultanate. Therefore, it is a right move for the Prime Minister to reject the self-styled Sulu Sultan's call to cease fire to ensure the surrender and withdrawal of all Sulu gunmen, as well as an agreement to give up sovereignty claim on Sabah.

While considering the election, the government must also take national interests into account to avoid turning the national security issue into a double-edged sword during the election.

-Sin Chew Daily