Malaysia: Politicians, Punters Wager On Winning Numbers For Malaysia's Elections
News Headline Elections 2008 2008-02-15 13:39
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Malaysia's next general election on 8 Mar has inspired a frenzy of illegal betting and raised superstitious hopes among politicians that the number eight _ considered auspicious by many Asians _ will help them hit the vote jackpot.
The pro-government New Straits Times newspaper devoted an entire page Friday (15 Feb) to the significance of 8 Mar, listing important historical events that have occurred on that day since 1838, as well as references to the number eight in literature, sports and science.
Some Malaysians _ mainly the ethnic Chinese in northern Penang state _ took more than an academic interest: They earlier had placed bets on 8 Mar as the polling date, which proved the right call when the Election Commission announced the date Thursday (14 Feb).
"There's heavy betting because many Chinese enjoy gambling," Rev Yong, a prominent feng shui consultant, told The Associated Press. "The Chinese in Penang will bet on anything for these elections _ on numbers, dates, winning candidates."
An illegal bookie in Penang _ a predominantly Chinese area where betting is more prevalent than in other states _ had to pay out more than 10,000 ringgit (US$3,100) to customers who called the election date correctly, The Star reported.
Some customers of four-digit lottery tickets were banking on the number 6308, which they regarded as the numerical equivalent of Saturday, 8 Mar, The Star added.
Eight is considered a lucky number in many Asian cultures, especially among the Chinese, because it sounds like the word "prosper." In Hinduism, the goddess of wealth Lakshmi has eight forms.
About a third of Malaysia's 27 million people are ethnic Chinese and Indians. The rest are mostly Muslim Malays, but even they sometimes heed the superstitions of other communities.
Selangor state Chief Minister Mohamad Khir Toyo, a Muslim, said he was sure that 8 Mar would prove "auspicious" for him and his state.
"Selangor's territory is about 8,000 square kilometers. We have about eight million residents. The year is 2008 and I was appointed chief minister in August, the eighth month," he told reporters.
Yong, the feng shui consultant, said the numerical significance of 8 Mar is "a good omen."
"We can predict quite confidently that the government will garner more than a two-thirds majority" in Parliament, he said.
The numbers game was being played even before the polling day announcement.
It was widely speculated that Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi would dissolve Parliament on 13 Feb because 13 is his favorite number. The rumor proved true _ and the official campaigning period will be 13 days. (AP)
MySinchew 2008.02.15
Source: http://www.mysinchew.com/node/7034?tid=14
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