Elections - Changing America, Maintaining Malaysia

This year is interesting for the Americans because it is election year. At last, those who had to bear the 'gung-ho','awe and shock' style of Mr.Bush will see him go by default. A new President is sure to take his place. So far, it seems Mr.Obama will have to face Mr.McCain (yes, I'm leaning towards Mr.Obama because he's talking of change - No offence Mdm.Hillary but you're from the old school!)



The American election is an event - it's long and hard. The candidates face an arduous journey After all it is a big country and it does have impacts not only on the Americans but also the rest of the world. So I suppose the election process do need to be longdrawn as it is.

This year Malaysian will also go to the polls. It is a short affair. Bing, Bang Wham - it'll all be over in 2 weeks! Before the opposition can even say 'WAIT!' Barisan Nasional, the ruling party will be back in Parliment plotting out 'Billion Ringgits' projects to dispense for the 'people'. No, the ordinary people who's only concern is to survive but the 'people' who gave support and pledges to maintain the status quo of the Nation - where the richer gets richer and the poor, well, they can do what they can with the crumbs that fall along the way.






Once again, the transparency of the election will not be compromised either in America or in Malaysia. Whilst the Americans still 'hide' the ballot papers, Malaysian will be able to see the ballot papers through the new 'transparent' (literally) ballot boxes. And so the people (this time, I mean the simple village folks) will be proud that their electable government have been very transparent! After all, how much more transparent can you get - please don't expect the election commission workers to go about only in their undies to prove transparency. Nor should the PM and this ministers be 'naked' just to prove to the nation or the world that they have nothing to hide!



After all, transparency is not always good you see. Take for example, the waste bins. would you really want to see the stuff that goes in there (see picture below). You'll agree that sometimes, things are better hidden than seen. The same goes for governmental policies - the public wouldn't want to see all the dirty linen and wrangling that goes into making policy or law - just leave it to those who'll keep your interest (2%) in mind while they bare the consequences (98%) of their actions.



The Parliment house is a sanctuary for vested interest and greedy people - in the name of race, religion, culture, social and whatever else, rules, regulations, statutes and laws are passed! The future there only last for 5 years or less. Nothing else matters really - they say they're doing their best and why shouldn't we believe them. After all, how much massing of wealth can they do in 5 years? They're doing their best! Really!





And so, this is election year. There will be tears - of sadness and joy - maybe of equal amount. Those who yearn for change will see the same coming back. And those who wants to keep things as it is will probably see a change in how things are done. Who are you voting? All the best to you and I mean it!

Nothing Special for Malaysians

Looking at the recent past, there appear to be little to look forward to as ordinary Malaysians. The rich will get richer and the poor will still struggle to be less deprived. Those in power will do their best to remain in power. The under privileged will continue to have lesser still.

Reading from the blogs around, we find that some Chinese Malaysians are preparing to leave the country if 'things' gets worse - of course these would be the already affluent group of the race. The poorer Chinese will still have carry on the daily struggle and hope the political party they support will one day ensure a better life for them.

The Indians had their moment in history - suing the British Government for Trillions of ringgit, getting world news headlines via the Hindraf issue. Sammy Vellu will still hold on to power.

The Malays won't be reaslising that their days are numbered - they are still split now three or four ways - politicaly, socially, religiously and philosophically. The ruling UMNO thrives on the ignorance of the rural Malays while the religious PAS find themselves bobbing between being labeled extremist and modernist. PKR Malays are apologist - trying to pacify everyone from the east, west, north and south.

As a nation who started off quite well in the early days now find itself being relegated to post developing, lost in direction, 3rd world country yet again. While the price of oil is at one of its highest in history, little of that can be translated to better living for the country's citizen. As one of the biggest producers of palm oil in the world, not having any for domestic use is simply stupid!





Presidency of OIC and NAM is more of burden rather than a plus nowadays. No one benefits from such lame leadership NOT EVEN Malaysia.

As far as world focus goes, so far almost all the news have been about scandals, bad policing, poor management and shameful scams. As the world becomes more and more a global village, there isn't much here in Malaysia if you're an ordinary citizen. The fear is will Malaysia too get herself listed with Myanmar for democracy, Zimbabwe for inflation, America for justice and Colombia for freedom? But for some, standing tall alongside America's style of say-one-thing-and-do-the-opposite isn't so bad really.



Nobody listens to the little people anyway! RIGHT GEORGE?

BENAZIR BHUTTO - A Sister Martyred

We all knew, perhaps she knew better, that the destiny of her death was not surprising at all. That the the fate of those who fight for the little people, the general public usually lies with those who have nothing but evil in their hearts. It would seem that democracy is not the way forward for people in power or those who hunger for power.

It would be almost impossible to point the finger at the plotters of Madam Benazir's death. Was it a lone gunman or was it conspiracy? Your guess is a good as mine. The deed has been done and an opponent has been eliminated. That is that!


The little people have to get on with their lives. They can now only remember and cherish their leader. Perhaps a tomb will be built for Madam Benazir and thousands even millions will throng her tomb to lament what could have been. That is the story of other nations - sacrifice and death are commodities that need to be traded for a little freedom and democracy. Their 'fighters' fight to the death and by God's will some good will come from it.

In Malaysia, no sane man or woman will ever blow himself or herself up to prove a point or show dissent. The leaders and their mates may rest easy knowing that none of them will be martyred by such gruesome attack. And so they can continue happily with their indiscriminate raping of the nation's wealth or unabated plundering of the people's right for a life that's free and secure.

Malaysia is a long way away from the tumultuous politics of other nations that are relatively friendly to us. Even Indonesia and Thailand, our close neighbours have their horror stories to tell. With Malaysia, any blowing up shall only be done by those in authority. Any ruckus shall only be perpetrated by well trained public disorder specialist who will infiltrate mass gatherings in case subversive elements are present. And if there isn't any, something can be made up depending on the urgency of the situation.

Yes, Malaysian are really lucky in that any drama on the streets are usually rehearsed with a sprinkle of reality broken legs and bruised ribs thrown in. The docile nature of most Malaysian make it easy for anyone to scare them with their own shadows. We sincerely that hope none of the horrors of true democracy fights ever need to be brought about in Malaysia. All we need is the ballot box!



An orchid in her name

It is always a sad day when somebody dies, especially if their death came about in a sudden and horrific manner. Somebody would have lost a loved one or a shoulder to share the burdens of life or simply a good soul to be with. Madam Benazir despite her shortcomings was dearly loved by the ordinary folks of Pakistan. We Malaysian share in their sorrow. May she rest in peace and May God be Pleased with her soul!

Closing of the Year 2007

The last couple of weeks saw various holidays for most of us - the schools are shut till the new year, the Eid Adha was celebrated albeit one day later than the Saudis, and today was X'mas day for the Christians. Since everyone was in holiday mood or winding down to the end of the year, there was no point in raking up any controversial issues or fanning any fire that was about to burn out. Not to worry, there's plenty of firewood and kerosene around after the new year holiday if there was a need to rekindle any fire about almost anything that we find important or necessary.

Of course, our hearts go out to those who are in detention either of their own renderings or from the instigation of others. A year will have passed with yet again nothing to show in terms of actual fruits that all can savour. Instead, we had a lot, in fact billions of ringgits, of promises upon earlier promises.

I recently stumbled upon a blog by an adventurer writer who visited Malaysia so many years ago and I thought I'd share it with all of you. The musings of an outsider I guess is the nearest honest opinion you can get from a foreign layman who has no interest or agenda other than stating what he saw and understood.

http://www.moxon.net/malaysia/malaysian_politics.html

I shan't be rambling on for too long this time other than to wish all of you

a belated EID MUBARAK, MERRY CHRISTMAS and A HAPPY NEW YEAR!