Entries from March 2008 ↓

By now, most Malaysians are aware of the results of the 2008 Malaysian General Elections. In dealing the biggest blow ever to the ruling party, the people of Malaysia have denied the Barisan Nasional 2/3 majority in Parliament and given the opposition control over 5 out of 14 states in the country.What does it mean for the man on the street?

In my view, nothing. Once the shock has passed and the euphoria (or despair) has settled, life goes on for the people and the state and national administration goes on. The man (or woman) on the street goes on striving to earn a decent living, hoping the economy and political stability of the country will not be sacrificed just because the government are sore losers.

The Opposition openly asked for a chance to prove themselves. The people, tired of everything that’s been happening in the country, gave them the chance they wanted. Now, prove yourselves. Show you too can do a good job. If the people are happy, they will return you to government. Screw up, and you are out of there faster than a speeding bullet. I think the Opposition has even more to prove than the ruling party does because the eyes of the people are on them, watching and waiting for them to screw up.

As for the ruling party, it is time to take stock and to pull up your socks. The voters aren’t stupid or ignorant anymore. Information now moves so quickly through mobile phones, SMS and the internet that people no longer rely on the tv and newspapers for information. Having a media blackout and relaying propaganda through mainstream newspapers is no longer as effective as it used to be. Poster wars should stop - they injure the environment and are a visual pollution.

In discussions with people, we likened the Ruling party to house cats - pampered and spoilt; balking at hard work. The Opposition party were like alleycats - wild, feral and cunning. In fact, think Disney’s Aristocats. Teehee…

As it stands now, the alleycats have turned the fat house cats out of the cozy house they live in and they now have to learn to forage for a living. Pretty apt description don’t you think?

Politicians simply have to go back down to the basics of why they wanted to be elected - to serve the people and to better the lives of the people; not to make millions and billions and build palaces. In my personal view, the people voted this time, not with their hearts but with their heads. They wanted to send a message that complacency and arrogance will not be tolerated. They might not believe in everything the Opposition has to offer, yet they are worth a shot because nothing can be worse than the state of things just before the elections were held.

The people of Malaysia wanted a change; and they voted for a change. Now, lets see if the winds of change will blow as a calm balmy fragrant breeze over the next 4 years, soothing and smooth; or rage and roil like a tropical typhoon during a storm wreaking havoc over the populace.

We’ll have to see.

The wind of change blows straight
Into the face of time
Like a stormwind that will ring
The freedom bell for peace of mind
- The Scorpions

I owe the Giddy Tiger a million and one tags. My tag debt is so high it rivals the debt a corrupt government of a developing country can rack up by spending unnecessary money on inconsequentials. But hey! Lets not dwell on the Port Klang RM4.6 BILLION debt eh? Lets instead talk about the tag Giddy Tiger gifted me with some time last year. LAST YEAR! I’m as bad with keeping promises as an elected member of parliament!

LIST OUT THE TOP 5 PRESENTS YOU WISH FOR

1. A holiday - preferably with the sound of sea and balmy sea breezes
2. A digital camera - I hear a Panasonic Lumix is a good buy?
3. A capable clerk - why are they so hard to find?
4. A diamond ring - haha!
5. A new phone - I happen to have grown to hate my current one bah!

THE PERSON WHO TAGG-ED YOU IS
The winsome Giddy Tigeress

LIST OUT 5 IMPRESSIONS OF HIM/HER

1. Fun
2. Loving
3. Articulate
4. Beautiful
5. Prolific shopper!

Must bodek lah sikit, kan?

MOST MEMORABLE THINGS HE/SHE HAS DONE FOR YOU

Gave me lots of link love and a lovely birthday post which made me yearn for the romantic city of Paris AND sent me a lovely Chinese New Year snail mail card!

THE MOST MEMORABLE WORDS HE/SHE HAS SAID TO YOU

“What is there to eat at Pavilion?” - The first time I spoke to her on the phone

IF HE/SHE BECOMES YOUR LOVER , YOU WILL

be stunned into silence

IF HE/SHE BECOMES YOUR LOVER , THEY HAVE TO IMPROVE ON

getting me to say something because I’d be stunned at the revelation

IF HE/SHE BECOME YOUR ENEMY , YOU WILL
Cry.

IF HE/SHE BECOME YOUR ENEMY , THE REASON WILL BE
because I smacked Ethan? (I won’t! I promise!!)

PASS THIS QUIZ TO 1O PEOPLE THAT YOU WISH TO KNOW HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT YOU
10??!!! I think I’ll let it rest because its been so long.

I’ll get to the others soon. I Promise! *crosses fingers* Actually, I’m supposed to cross the ballot papers not the fingers, yes?

I was having lunch in Kepong today (I don’t know what possessed me to go that far but I did) and I’m so glad I did, because I saw this sign hanging on a wire fence next to the road:

“No Panking”

I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me, so we had another turn around the block to confirm is. Yes, it said “No Panking” clear as day.

I wonder if what they really meant was this:

Ooh… kinky….

The poster war for the elections has begun with a vengence!

Behold the eyesores that litter the towns once every 4-5 years. Once every 4-5 years, the local council gives out an advertising permit (yes you need it!) to allow political parties to litter the area with paper, bits of string, plastic bags and lately, banners.

My question is: How effective is it to hang up election posters?

If you are a voter, won’t you already have more or less made up your mind who you should be voting for? Does it help you decide when you see posters of the candidate and the party they represent hung from string at intersections, traffic lights or roundabouts? In my case, I feel quite repulsed at the huge wasted expense and I get sick of seeing the plastic bags flapping away in the breeze, knowing full well that it will still be hanging there weeks after the elections are over.

Some supporters even take it to extremes by decorating their vehicle:-

Or they might just be helping the candidate on his rounds.

And here’s a picture I took in the car that I thought turned out very strangely. This is what delayed capture on a phone camera does to your photo - distort it… or is it? The left looks distorted but the right side looks normal. You see, I didn’t think I saw that pakcik walk past at all!