==> Pls visit new site at http://malaysia-today.net/ <==

By S. Ali Mahmud
 
It has never been my intention to campaign for the opposition or against the ruling party. Being a political free-thinker, I subscribe to ideologies that will bring good to me as a citizen of the country as well as the ‘health’ of my motherland. With the upcoming General Election, I am pleading to all voters to ‘Please think carefully before you cast your vote’.

Observing the news and incidences that had been occurring in the country, I could not help but feel concern and anxious about the future of our country. The General Election is approaching and I wonder if the citizens of the country will be making the right choice in this upcoming election? Based on the views of several eminent political observers, the majority felt that it is unlikely that the ruling party will ever be denied its two-third majority, my heart palpitates, my hands sweat and I have been having sleepless nights. I could not help but worry for the future of my country. I begin to ask myself if my fellow Malaysians are willing to ‘close one eye’ and continue to mandate the existing ruling party to rule the country notwithstanding their record; or we are simply in denial of the state of our country.
 
The arrogance of leaders in our country is evident when we saw how law enforcers were being deployed to split up peaceful demonstrations, one of the citizens’ fundamental rights. The aggression by law enforcers during the ISA vigil, Hindraf demonstration and Bersih’s rally are blatant abuse of power by the government. It also proves that the law enforcement agency is not independent and would only protect the powerful and oppress the weak.
 
Over the last number of years, we saw politicians from the existing ruling party abuse the trust that the citizens had mandated them during the last General Election. The ‘close one eye’ scandal, the abusive words and name-calling, e.g. ‘monkeys’ and ‘beruk’ by some arrogance ‘politicians (including politicians ‘wannabe’), clearly prove that such personalities are not fit to represent the citizens. We do not want any ‘Al Capone’ or ‘Don Carleone’ (even lower class than these notorious gangsters) to represent us in our Parliament. We need erudite Members of Parliament who are eloquent and capable to debate the legislations and issues regarding our country. We cannot afford to have Members of Parliament who raise unimportant issues such as crucifixes in missionary schools or a boy who 'insulted' the national anthem when the country and the world are facing serious financial crises.
 
I trust most of us are fearful of change. It is not an easy process but, in reality, we face changes every minute in our lives. We make changes when we feel that the old way no longer relevant to us. We move on when things do not happened as originally planned. Procrastination will never ease or solve our problem. In this situation, the ‘change’ I am advocating is to change the existing ruling party -- not only deny them a two-thirds majority but make them the opposition party. Let's do this in the name of self-respect and seize this chance to change.
 
Studies have proven that ‘changes’ help people achieve success. Madonna is one of the best examples. After 26 years in the music industry, she is still relevant in today’s music industry because her willingness to embrace changes and evolve in accordance to time.
 
In the last General Election, the ruling party won by a landslide as the citizens were expecting changes that were promised them. However, given the last 4 years, not only there have not been any changes, the condition of the country has become worse. We witnessed hostility of the law enforcer who should be protecting us. We saw the hike of crime rate and people are fearful to leave their own home. We saw how leaders brazenly abuse their power to enrich themselves and their cronies. We saw incompetent personalities being appointed to hold key positions in the country which have become a disgrace. We saw our judiciary being manipulated and racial sentiment issues used to divide and rule this country. If we are still adamant about changing this government, we are indeed committing suicide.
 
After being entrusted with power over the last 50 years, politicians in the ruling party have become complacent and over time turn arrogance. As such, remarks like ‘close one eye’, keris waving, insulting other minority ethic groups and name calling no longer appear insulting or offensive. If we continue to mandate such personalities as our representatives and allow them to remain in power. Indeed, we have so little respect of ourselves that we continue to inflict unnecessary torture unto ourselves. As Harris Ibrahim and Raja Petra rightly pointed out, the Rakyat is the Boss. It is time we prove to them, we are indeed the boss.

Comments (14)