At about 7 pm on March 8, the polling day for the 12th Malaysian general election, I proceeded to my neighbourhood coffee shop in Cheras for dinner. Three neighbours at the next table were discussing the election.

I joined in and opined that the state power had fallen to DAP. This remark drew forth an explosive expression of incredulity and distaste. It was impossible, one declared with a contemptuous wave of the hand. Another went into uncontrollable rage proclaiming that if DAP took over from the BN in Penang, the state would not see development for the next five years.