"Its been a long time since i sat down and wrote, thoughts of our mind are usually different of those that we project, As Malaysia comes to its 13th GE, this piece is written dedicated to all of us, Malaysian"s
Five years ago today, i was in Sungai Petani, working as an Event Manager when the Tsunami came, UMNO divided and in-fighting broke out, allowed the lost of 2/3 majority in parliament and the loss of 5 states. As an on-ground observer, i learned and looked as the wave swept the country. Being an student of human behavior, political times are the best source of study into the human psyche. Paklah the head and prime minister at that time, had lost the the 2/3 majority of which has always been with Barisan Nasional for over 50 years, The 12th GE also rang the bell of defeat for Gerakan, MCA and MIC, that seems permanent as we prepare for GE 13th. A lesson was learned here, the voice of the people cannot be silenced. The rise of Bersih and Hindraf was during this time, Did our leaders learn? Did we the rakyat learn?
I lost my father when i was 18 years old, My brother Zaki in 2006, My youngest and last brother in 2006, in 2008, i lost my marriage. Its a miracle that i haven't lost my mind but my kids who are my anchor and my uncle that gave me a lease line and a cousin that pushed me has helped me grow in these last 3 years, grow to an extent that i could have not imagined. Close and best friends helped me to find my footing and un earth the many tools that god has borrowed me and finally it was God himself that opened up my mind, eyes and heart to show me a path that i could follow. Even at times it is a path that i must lead, a reluctant leader no doubt but it is His will and His blessing.
Bearing this in mind, as we come to less than 48 hours till voting day, all the news reports and on ground support are still un decisive, some say its a pakatan government and some say BN will prevail. This time around, i have taken a more deeper approach into the elections, i study it, research on it and do something about it. Would Malaysia have to endure the loss of BN to see a new Malaysia, Will a new Malaysia under a new government be a better one than what we have now? Does BN have to lose so that we can a new Malaysia? Why can't a BN win be heralded as a new MALAYSIA? We have the power to choose, for that is our right.
In 2010, My company had a dream, a dream to host "The World Cup Asia Paintball" in Langkawi, in Mahsuri Hall, making it the world's first international indoor paintball championship. Putting the logistics into this was sheer nightmare, the funds are almost non existent as paintball was a new sport, unknown. Yet in those tight and dark unlit corners, we strive to the rays of light at the end of the tunnel. And now in 2013, we are organizing the third edition of this event. What has this got to do with GE 13? well thru my eyes, it is the perception of man (and women of course) The fear of change, the apprehension of uncertainty, as this are the basic's arguments of GE 13th. In the heart of things, this is the real argument. BN preaches 1 Malaysia, Pakatan also does the same but in all the arguments and politicking, the issues are never discussed. Free Education? How so? More in BR1M 2.0? How so? does anyone ask of the consequences of all these? We don't Why? because we are scared, less we hide and take comfort for things that we are use to.
In this year campaign, I was blessed to have the opportunity of following the Man that built Malaysia to what it is today, This piece is actually about him. He is to me a true leader, he was tough when he needed to be and he was smart enough to let things go when it needed to be done and yet took the trouble to come back when things are going array. For whatever it is, He is a true Malaysian. He could take things easy and enjoy the remaining years but yet when things are rough, he comes back and tries to repair the damage and heal a divided nation. Still, the urbans, the young generations attack him, writers of many publications, web blogs and others condemn him, belittle him and accuse him of everything that went wrong. It is for this reason that i just wanted to write this piece.
Some will say it is because of his patronage to my event that i am sided with him but truth to the matter is that, it is his personality, drive and vision that i am sided to because of his boldness and leadership that has steered Malaysia to what she is today.
Tunku brought us Independence while Abdul Razak gave us development and healed the nation after the riots, Hussien Onn gave us unity, it was Tun Mahathir that gave us modernization. Holding the post for 22 years, it was he who changed Malaysia. Still yet the younger generation and even the older ones tend to forget. They now attack him in droves and throw accusations but still day in and day out, i see this 87 years old statesman, fighting for his country. It was once said that US Secret Service had a duty to protect all elements of harm, from outside and within and so in this year 2013, I see this great man, once again going up to battle for the Malaysia he loves.
Times i get disgusted by the accusations thrown to him and how easy for us to forget of the things he has done. Malaysiakini writers takes pot shots at him whenever they can, calling him many names but lest they forget that it was him that brought Cyberjaya, that spawned Malaysiakini and a host of others IT business, it was his vision in putting together the worlds greatest thinkers such as Bill Gates on the panel that designed the blue print of Cyberjaya, Imagine someone like Bill Gates and the others IT greats thoughts when asked to form this council for this small country known as Malaysia but yet it was done now mades us the hub of it all, the fact the administration after him totally abandon the blue print and making us lose to the edge seems easily forgotten.
Of how Malaysia was a force to be reckon with in his 22 years is easily forgotten, CHOGM and the commonwealth games was held here in small Malaysia, a country that was once called the country above Singapore. The prestigious F1 circuit came to Malaysia is also from him, which Singapore quickly followed suit to have one of their own. This was at a time when Malaysia was a nobody and became a somebody in the 22 years. Would Anwar Ibrahim would be able to establish the connections around the world if the platform had not been set? no way. For it was Tun's effort that brought many eyeballs to the country that we all so dearly love.
As he comes out and goes to ground to campaign, Everyone attacks him, and attacks without reason, things like corruption or cronyism is labeled to the man that built this nation. For me this are but the truth of humanity, we easily attach the bad to justify our own good. For where is there no corruption? in all our daily lives corruption exist in all manner and forms, Cronyism is a norm, for example, when we are asked to provide job reference for a job interview, is this a form of cronyism? If i as a paintballer is given a contract to build houses than by all means prosecute on the cronyism but it all goes into merit. The highways of the north and south, who had the guts and courage to build it? The penang bridge? The Astro Cable? yes at the end of the day, it makes people rich and these people know him but is this not the same in our everyday life? We know our children's teachers, which later leads to friendship, does it not? That is why it hurts to see all this attack on him especially when it is suppose to be directed to others.
As we grow close the polling day, i often argue on the merit of voting, and who to vote for. Yes, i too am angry and sadden by the current government and some issues but yet it is not his fault that things comes this way and we should not condemn BN for this when 55 years it has given us what we have now. Would all this new writers or would be law makers of the opposition be where they are today if not for the opportunities and chances given by BN ? what about Tunku, Abdul Razak, Hussein Onn, Mahathir, what of their contribution for the nation? don't argue on matters that are irrelevant but argue on merits and policies, ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS then we will get the right answers, it is not about someone being homo sexual but rather what has the party done and what can they do? it is not about rings or business but rather of how that can benefit the nation. Malaysia is a we thing not an I thing. i have 2 children to raise and it is my hope that they will grow up asking the right questions to get the right answers.
When we face the ballot and we know we have the power to change things, why don't we change things from within? those that cry foul to UMNO then go into UMNO and change it from within. those who don't like MCA then go into MCA and change it, simply changing governments because of the current leadership does not solve the problems at hand, Malaysia is a nations of many and for years we have survived and prospered with our unity and even as things look bleak now, know that you can make a change but do it the right way, forget not what has been achieved and can be achieved rather than looking and thinking the grass is greener on the other side, running a country is not like running a state and it takes years of understanding and management to properly run a country, sometimes, we think it's simple, lowering fuel or giving free education but there are times that we need to feel the pinch to know where we stand, being cruel to be kind as my uncle often remind me. So Malaysian's come 5th of May, get up early and exercise your rights, be bold and most importantly be smart, think and think again, you don't change ships in mid stream and there many ways in making a change, Vote with your mind and know that the power is in your hands, if things are wrong tell them, if things happen and we do not understand than ask, switching camps don't makes us heroes, UBAH does not mean to change others but firstly it must start within us, know what we are fighting for and most importantly WHY we are fighting it, remember what Micheal Jackson sang "Man in the Mirror"
Will BN change if they are returned to power? that my friends is up to us, switching camps does not mean making things right. A split in the malay unity and the other races is NOT the road to progress but a journey to regression, this will cripple the nation and further more, putting green horns in the seats of power without seniors checking on things will further make things worse, Why? because to recover the damage of 5 years is not an easy task but rather get our voices heard, change within the system as this will promote unity and makes a stronger as a whole.
That being said, everyone please have a calm weekend, think and think again when we are voting but more importantly DO COME OUT AND VOTE, don't be a backseat driver, come and decide the fate of the nation that we love, MALAYSIA.
Peace.
