Now we have only Zaid vs Nathan. It is hardly surprising that the 2 independents who would have pulled BN's votes pulled out at the very last minute. Dirty coalition made up of dirty parties full of dirty politicians usually have a lot of dirty tactics. So dirty.

Initially I had reservations for ZI being the candidate. Palanivel would have been a difficult fight. Had it been Mat Taib, there wouldn't even be a fight. It would have been another by-elections ala Isa Samad. But with this Nathan bloke, the story is different. What more with 2 BN jokers fighting for Nathan's votes. Now that some votes have swung back to BN (from the "independents"), the race could be slightly tougher now. Nevertheless, I am still optimistic on ZI capturing the seat, but the PR campaign will need to be upped, tweaked and played out smartly.

The votes for the Malays is now played on a smear campaign, as expected. ZI is an urban chap. What is "acceptable" in urban areas are not norms for the semi-urban or rural folks. Try the same tactics at Damansara or Bangsar and nobody would give a damn. So, PAS needs to get their machinery rolling for ZI.

The Indians are unpredictable. They don't like MIC. And MIC is so obviously being stepped all over by UMNO. But Nathan is Indian. Tricky... tricky...

And then we have the Chinese. If you count on them because they gave you their votes last GE, then you are doomed. Rule No. 1 - never rely on the Chinese to deliver by doing nothing. You never know what they are up to. You've got to bodek them. You've got to woo them. And they definitely have no interest in if ZI is a drinker or if Nathan is gay.

I happen to watch on Astro Channel 322 on Sunday night a good movie, I Corrupt All Cops (ICAC). The show is about Hong Kong's fight against uncontrollable corruption within their police force back in the 60s and 70s. And of course the introduction of Hong Kong's world renown anti-graft unit. Watch the movie and you can relate right away what you see in the movie to Malaysia today. The corruption. The briberies - money, women, power. The thuggeries of the coppers. The involvement of top cops in illegal activities. It is all so real.

And because the movie is so real, and because the movie features the likes of Tony Leung, Eason Chan, Anthony Wong, Bowie Lam and Kate Tsui among others, you will have the Chinese drawn to the movie. And that got me thinking.

Forget about Anwar or Lim Kit Siang shouting their lungs out over the rostrum. Forget organising seafood dinners. Why don't you just show the movie at the Ulu Yam town, KKB, Serendah and where else the Chinese are. Most would not have seen this movie at the theatres last year. And most would not have seen it on Astro as you've got to pay extra for Celestial Movies (Channel 322). Go get some DVDs (originals please), rent some TVs and DVD players, and blast it at all kopitiams. Set up projector screens and beam the movie up at night at the padang. It's free movie. Throw in some sodas and kuaci. And Mamee for the kids. (Twisties are expensive, we understand) And we have ourselves a healthy family activity on a breezy night. Let the emotions and reality of the movie sink into the hearts and minds of the voters. I heard that many Malays are fans of Cantonese movies too.

But no political talks please. You bring the politicians, and the coppers will shut down the screening on permit matters. The only potential problem could be the copyrights issue of public broadcasting. Somehow, I don't think BN will allow for that to happen. Because if that happens, then good. Movie cancelled. People cheesed off. Anger at BN. Movie turns into reality right before their eyes. Zaid wins.

I am no expert in Chinese history. But I've watched my fair share of Cantonese movies and series. And I can tell you that in the past, Chinese opera is no mere entertainment. It carries messages to the people. And many uprising centred around Chinese operas. Times have changed and if you try the same today, nobody is going to turn up to watch some painted faces singing at screeching pitches. But the modus operandi is still relevant. Everyone loves to be entertained. And if along the way we can put ideas in their minds, then...

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