emancipate yourself from mental slavery

I love this song

The King of the Turtles.

I suppose by now, everybody would have scrutinized the issues surrounding the appointment of the T'ganu MB. A lot of legal issues being brought forth. Some are saying that there is a "Constitutional Crisis", others claims that the Palace is interfering withe the process of democracy. The more passionate ones, declared that BN actions is tantamount to treason. While some others would speculate that the Monarchy is flexing it's muscle and to test the new Federal administration. You can all read these opinions (some are really good, while others barely acceptable) in other blogs.

However we want to see it, the main point is that we as a nation are slowly adapting to the new political realities. Not only is there a more representative of the Opposition within the Parliament, there is a change in the equilibrium of the power within it. We all know what the effect of the shift in the equilibrium of power in Parliament entails. That is of greater voices of opposing views. But other than that, what other effects have there been or will be?

The most apparent, is a feeling of empowerment within the community. It seems that we have been given our voices back. Even the Monarchy feels a certain sense of vigor. Especially of note the case in Perlis and T'ganu. It seems that we have been taken a breath of fresh air after years of living in an environment of fear, frustration and stagnation. Such was the stranglehold of the Central government, would I say the political power, in terms of suppressing the freedom of expressions, ideas, hope and the thousands varied feelings that are kept within the heart of men.

This sense of empowerment should not be taken for granted. It is to be seized and cherish and nurture further so that it will in turn create a far more vibrant democracy and a more inclusive nation. We can be more with each other. We can find the soul that was once lost in the emptiness of empathy and despair. We can learn and understand the hope and fear that is in each of us and form it we see the glorious beauty of the true self. Let us not waste that.

We have our voice back. It is up to us to decide whether we sing in a cacophony of tunes that ultimately merge in to a harmonious magnus opus of discourse. Or we falter half way and listen to the silence of empathy.

About Terenganu Crisis...Naaah!

I thought of writing my thoughts on the events that is happening in T'ganu. I have this great observations on it but, I'll probably do it another time...

Though not as dramatic as the T"ganu Crisis...I leave you all with this, the great bumble bee

The New Cabinet

Out with the Old,
in with the New,
never mind the look,
it serves the same function.

How to pick a Cabinet?,
it is really not that hard.
First, pick one
that caught your fancy.
Second, open it
and size it up.

If it's too big,
look for another one.
Or you can just buy
the first one
that caught your fancy
and cut it in half.

But if it's too small?
Buy another one
that is similar.

And that's how
you buy a new Cabinet

The Forgotten Representatives

For several days now, both the Federal Government and the State Governments have been choosing their Ministers and Excos respectively. It seems that we have a muhibbah line up of executives. Or do we?

You see, except for Penang, we have Malay Menteri Besar for all the other states. This itself is a glaring unevenness in the distribution of Menteri Besars post. Though to balance it out both the BN and the non- BN parties (they should get a recognizable name) elected excos from Chinese and Indians. While the CM of Penang elected both Malay and Indian to be the Deputy CM.

But the question in my mind is, where are the original people? Where are the Penans, the Senois, the Negritos and the rest of our original people? They have the same rights if not more, to be apart of the administration. Though there are certain limitations to electing excos and ministers (they have to be either a member of the State Representative or Parliamentary Representatives), I'm sure certain ways can be done to put the voice of the original people in the whole national debate. Some of the state, like Kelantan, Perak, Pahang and Johor can elect 2 people to represent the state in the Senate. Maybe one of them can be an original people.

Hmm...maybe there's a chance to for me to set up a political party to fight for the rights of the original people. Maybe a PBDLL (Parti Bersatu Dan Lain - Lain) or PBOAS (Parti Bersatu Orang Asli Semenanjung).

Pseudo Analysis of the GE2008 Result Part I : Personalities

As we slowly understand the implication of the results of the 12th General Election, it's timely to look at the GE in totality from a layman point of view. The usual questions have to be ask, why and what happened that made such a tremendous swing in the vote? What made BN be able to maintain nearly 62% of the House of Representative? What is next after this? So many and more questions will be look into in this series of blogs to understand, at least on my part, the how, why and what of the GE result causes and effects.

I posit that the seed of discontent among the people started gaining momentum way back, prior to the 10th GE. Specifically the sacking of Anwar as DPM. To a lot of youths, especially malays, around that time of the event, Anwar was seen as a standard bearer of Asian modernity and civilization. His sacking created a maelstrom of furies amongst the youth. This reaction was very pronounced within the university youths. At the same time, the ease of Anwar dismissal strike a feeling of discontent and even fear among the urban public. The urban public realised that the sacking of the DPM was a symbol of the corroding state of civil liberties, that were tolerated by the public at large then. While for the non urban malays, Anwar was seen as a beacon of Islamic virtues and his sacking was seen as an attack to such values.

The effect can be seen in the 10th GE, where a lot of the malay votes went with the opposition parties. Though not enough to vote out BN then due to the support of the non malay votes. After the swearing in of Mahathir as PM, he was still shadowed by the visage of Anwar. The issue of cronism and nepotism continues to haunt him until his resignation in 2003. Mahathir understand that he could not hold on to power without severely destroying BN chances of winning the next election. He would still want a BN government that not only sympathize with him but also to to protect him. And so he pass over the baton to Abdullah, a man seen to be an Islamic figure (his father was a religious figure), an ex civil servant, have the support of the major camps in UMNO and have a wife of mix parentage. It was a perfect choice. And this was shown in the 11th GE, where most of the public have a great hope for him and gave BN another chance under a new administration. But bear in mind the youths that supported Anwar around his sacking, they did not become a strong supporter of BN in time of the 11th GE. They just gave a chance for Abdullah to prove that he was different than Mahathir.

Abdullah did indeed proved that he was different, he gave a greater freedom of the press, a greater room for public debate and seem to be more transparent and open than the previous administration. Though at the same time, he was not seen to be able to manage and control such openness and at times was accused of being weak. Especially critical about this were supporters of UMNO themselves. Certain religious and racial issues were not handle fast enough and decision was seen to be arbitrary.

Basically what happened was Abdullah managed to lose the support from UMNO grassroots, the trust of the non malays, and some what betrayed the hope of the malay youths.

A Dawn of a New Era!

It's incredible! That's all I can say. I have stayed up late for Election result since 1999. And never have there been more exciting and nerve wracking experience in the Malaysian history of voting. On the 8th of March 2008, for the first time in the Malaysian history, the Opposition have denied 2/3 rd majority to BN. The Opposition is now in control of 5 state government.

Is it for better or for worse? Only time will tell. But this is an opportunity for us to start something new.

Cheers.

Election Day

So as of 12 midnight, the campaigning and canvassing for votes officially ends. At 8 am today we will vote in the representative that will give voice to our needs and concerns be they of local level or of national interest.

Bear that in mind, my friends as you cast your vote for the 12th General Election. At the tips of our fingers are the power to decide the course of this nation. Whether we have the wisdom to choose properly only you and God know the answer. But whatever it is the vote have to be cast.

All the best.