Gaining political awareness in Malaysia
Perhaps its the coming General Elections. Perhaps its our recently celebrating our 50th anniversary of Independence. Perhaps its the coming of age of youth who are getting disaffected by the way things are running, the way things have been run.
The timing is nevertheless appropriate. The rate of secular decline is shocking. The rate of ethical decline is appalling. The rate of political decline is embarassing. Turkey has recently stated an interest in "never turning into another Malaysia".
Free and fair elections. Transparency in governmental affairs. Less corruption, especially in the police force. Revamping the Legislature. Politicians with more integrity and backbone. Repealing laws that flagrantly flout basic human rights. Better roads and public structures. Freer press.
These are just a small list of 'wishes' by the people of Malaysia. Yes, we have things good here. Yes, we should be and are, for the most part, thankful for what we have. Yes, things could be much worse.
However, we, the people of Malaysia, want more. Better. We see Malaysia as the beauty it could be, it should be; and not the horror that it might be, that it seems to be heading towards being. We are tired of being told that we are not ready for this or that, that we might end up in the small nightmare of racial riots, that we'd end up the pawn of American hegemony. We want to get out of the rut of being treated as children and get to know better. Know more. And ultimately, decide for ourselves.
We, the pool of talent, acumen, skills and strengths of Malaysia, want to be more involved in the building of this beautiful nation, this country that breaks our hearts by denying us the avenues to making Malaysia greater than it sees itself now. And we are beginning to make our stand, to claim our birthright and be counted as an individual in the forging of the Malaysian story.
Whatever your political inclination, voting is your responsibility as a Malaysian citizen. Right now, it is one of the very few means we have to be heard so use it! Check out voter registration status at the Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (Electoral Commission) website and if you're not already registered, go to the Post Office ASAP and get it done!!!
Nextly, if you've a Facebook account, pop on over to the VotEd group and join. Get yourself politically educated.
Another Facebook group to check out is called Deny BN 2/3 Majority in the Upcoming Elections. It is a non-partisan (not affiliated with any political party) group that has as its ultimate intention greater transparency and accountability in Parliament by virtue of wider representation. Take a gander to understand their stance, then do with the info as you see fit.
2 interesting sites to check out are:
- the meesh experience for an "activist" blog
- The Other Malaysia for news from an independent perspective
There are many more, I'm sure - do post them here if you come across them.
I'll close off with an excerpt from Tunku Abdul Rahman's speech made a day before he declared Independence:
To the youth of this country I have a message.
You have a wonderful future ahead of you.
Unlike us, you have a country free from any domination.
You grow up with your heads held high as masters in your own country.
As masters you have the privileges as well as your duties and responsibilities.
The future of this country rests on you: whether our star rises or falls, it will be due to you solely.
Therefore, be ready to serve her, to build her up and to give your life in her defence.
You and I must be determined to make Malaya a place which we shall all be proud to call home.
We have therefore a role to play and let us play it well.
- Tunku Abdul Rahman
The timing is nevertheless appropriate. The rate of secular decline is shocking. The rate of ethical decline is appalling. The rate of political decline is embarassing. Turkey has recently stated an interest in "never turning into another Malaysia".
Free and fair elections. Transparency in governmental affairs. Less corruption, especially in the police force. Revamping the Legislature. Politicians with more integrity and backbone. Repealing laws that flagrantly flout basic human rights. Better roads and public structures. Freer press.
These are just a small list of 'wishes' by the people of Malaysia. Yes, we have things good here. Yes, we should be and are, for the most part, thankful for what we have. Yes, things could be much worse.
However, we, the people of Malaysia, want more. Better. We see Malaysia as the beauty it could be, it should be; and not the horror that it might be, that it seems to be heading towards being. We are tired of being told that we are not ready for this or that, that we might end up in the small nightmare of racial riots, that we'd end up the pawn of American hegemony. We want to get out of the rut of being treated as children and get to know better. Know more. And ultimately, decide for ourselves.
We, the pool of talent, acumen, skills and strengths of Malaysia, want to be more involved in the building of this beautiful nation, this country that breaks our hearts by denying us the avenues to making Malaysia greater than it sees itself now. And we are beginning to make our stand, to claim our birthright and be counted as an individual in the forging of the Malaysian story.
Whatever your political inclination, voting is your responsibility as a Malaysian citizen. Right now, it is one of the very few means we have to be heard so use it! Check out voter registration status at the Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (Electoral Commission) website and if you're not already registered, go to the Post Office ASAP and get it done!!!
Nextly, if you've a Facebook account, pop on over to the VotEd group and join. Get yourself politically educated.
Another Facebook group to check out is called Deny BN 2/3 Majority in the Upcoming Elections. It is a non-partisan (not affiliated with any political party) group that has as its ultimate intention greater transparency and accountability in Parliament by virtue of wider representation. Take a gander to understand their stance, then do with the info as you see fit.2 interesting sites to check out are:
- the meesh experience for an "activist" blog
- The Other Malaysia for news from an independent perspective
There are many more, I'm sure - do post them here if you come across them.
I'll close off with an excerpt from Tunku Abdul Rahman's speech made a day before he declared Independence:
To the youth of this country I have a message.
You have a wonderful future ahead of you.
Unlike us, you have a country free from any domination.
You grow up with your heads held high as masters in your own country.
As masters you have the privileges as well as your duties and responsibilities.
The future of this country rests on you: whether our star rises or falls, it will be due to you solely.
Therefore, be ready to serve her, to build her up and to give your life in her defence.
You and I must be determined to make Malaya a place which we shall all be proud to call home.
We have therefore a role to play and let us play it well.
- Tunku Abdul Rahman
posted by Jo at 4:43 pm
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