Roles of money, media and political machinery reconsidered : The Malaysian 12th general election 2008 / Nursuria Mahrif, dan Sharon Pearl Henry Serub

Among the important requisites for democracy is the freedom of the media as well as
freedom to form and organize political parties. And to make possible the workings of
democracy is having regular election, meaning political parties must be allowed to
campaign, and hence enabling them to present their manifesto to the electorates to vote
for those who they wish to govern over them. For this process to run smoothly, money is
an essential element; a tool for the running of the election process itself as well as to
enable the various political parties to organize their campaign. Thus in any election,
these three elements of money, media and political machinery must come into play to
enable the selection and later, formation of the government to be done. This paper will
discuss the roles of these three elements in the 12'h General Election 2008