What I think

Before you proceed, take a deep breath, exhale and remind yourself that what you are about to read is in no way, a definitive guide to the Malaysian politics or election. This is merely an attempt by me to record my observations, laments and growing hope that what I see today will not be seen by generations to come. You can agree with me, you can chastise my writing or you can simply read until the end without forming any judgment.
At this point, I would think that you’re interested to read further. With that, I wish to share my experience of having attended some rallies in the run-up to the previous election.

For the country, the previous election was our 12th in historical records. For me as a voter, it was my 1st. And we have seen how Barisan Rakyat made significant inroads with more citizens voting for them. Alas, we do have several Barisan Nasional strongholds who continued to vote for BN despite the obvious failings of the ruling party. Well, we can’t do nothing much for those people.

And to me, I hoped my vote was important as a tool to curb the negative developments that Malaysia has been subjected to in the 4 years before the 12th election. Undoubtedly, I believe (as with any man with reason) that there is truth in Lord Acton’s famous quote - ‘Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely’. Back in 2004, Malaysia was rejoicing at the change of leadership and placed all their hopes on a big 90-plus percent mandate to the Barisan Nasional. We were tired of the previous iron-fist regime and wanted something better. We wanted clean politics and thought we have achieved it in Mr. Clean. Four years has since passed and well, I think most Malaysians were taken for a ride yet again. What was thought to be clean was actually a façade. Beneath the shiny façade, lies all the grime, dirt, dust that made most of us to say, “That’s it. Enough is enough!”. And we made that change, almost. We have more states under Barisan Rakyat now than ever before. I can’t say much about Perak though. It’s merely a state used as the playing ground for party hopping creatures and eventually, a leadership whose existence remains to be hotly debated.

Now, we have more news of elected members of parliament resigning and declaring their independence (before turning the other cheek and join the ruling government). Ok, I agree with the principle that one has to stand up for something which you feel is not right or downright wrong. Perhaps it was because of that fact that the people elected these people in the first place.

However, do not forget that the most important concept that leaders often dismiss or sweep under the carpet is this. The citizens do not depend on leaders for existence. Leaders depend on citizens to put them in office. Yet, this notion is the first thing to go come every successful election. It is strange how these leaders have chameleon-like qualities in the days leading to an election and those after. The former sees these candidates taking the effort to come to your constituency, shake our hands, ask for our names, press for any concerns that we want to be addressed and promise to attend any community event in the future. The latter sees the rise of a little napoleon who conveniently forgets the past. Gone are those visits to our residential area. If they do come, and note the word ‘if’, it usually has to do with the whole ‘officiating’ business, be it a new building, a new road and the likes. Even then, there must be the whole nine-yard of plastering their faces everywhere on non-recyclable banners and endless snapshots of YB and ‘his rakyat’. Fine, these elected representatives might be busy so citizens will have to meet them. Ah, but when we do want to meet these elected reps, the very same people who shook our hands and addressed us like long lost friends now treat us like lepers. Gone are the ‘Hello’ and ‘what I can do for you?’. In its place, one will get ‘Sorry, by appointment only’ or worse ‘Y.B. is busy’ and surprise surprise, you’ll hear a click and the line goes dead.

To all those elected members of parliament who (belonged to their respective political parties when they entered office) have since declared themselves to be independent, it is not your privilege to simply declare that ‘I’m tired of my former party and am now an independent M.P’. It is also most unconscionable for such M.Ps to join other parties and ‘contribute’ his or her seat to increase their new party’s hold on the state. Remember that the people voted you in office for many probable reasons. It could be because of your personality alone. It could be that they will vote for anyone that their preferred party nominates. It could be that you’re simply the better option than your opponent at that time (and that could be not much of a choice then). In short, if a particular M.P. resigns from his party, he owes it to his constituents to vacate the seat and contest for it as an independent candidate. That way, the people will decide whether they want to keep you based on your character alone or whether their trust remains with the political parties who may then choose a new face as their respective candidates. I thought that concept was elementary but unfortunately, it must have gotten lost amidst the gains one could obtain from holding such esteemed office.

For now, we have only Barisan Nasional and Barisan Rakyat. And most unfortunately, Barisan Rakyat seemed to be facing internal crises which BN is only quick to exploit. Leaders of Barisan Rakyat and people who’ve had enough of our ruling government must realise that the 12th election was a miracle. For once, most Malaysians dared to confront the constant brainwashing (that something bad will happen if we vote for anything apart from BN) and rose to the challenge by putting an ‘X’ next to Barisan Rakyat, regardless whom they fielded. The appeal of ‘Yes, We Can Change’ seemed to have grown dimmer over the years since the 12th election. And like any other miracle, it doesn’t happen that often. My founded fear is that come next election, people will forget and return the country to our past. When that happens, don’t be surprised if Malaysia remains under the firm grip of the present ruling party for another 40 years.

Malaysia may also be one of those few countries who practice democracy (or so we hope to believe) and yet, has the same party running the show to the detriment of the country.

I voted before and I will continue to vote with the hope that -

my vote weakens those who cling to power for their own gains,
my vote hounds leaders who have been complacent in their duty,
my vote kicks out corrupt and racist idiots at the helm of power,
my vote dampens little napoleons who aim to squeeze the rakyat dry,
my vote reminds any arrogant government that thou shall whimper,
my vote voices concern to those who remain in the dark that it’s time to change,
my vote adds strength to those who strive to save my country,
my vote is my voice and conscience that I shall not remain silent,
my vote is for Malaysia, my beautiful motherland.