Entries Tagged 'Politics' ↓

… too little time or space to say it all and the wrong platform for me

I’m still all caught up in Election fever and I can’t think of anything else I might want to bitch about so maybe its better I just don’t. I’m not super happy with the results and neither am I super depressed. I’m just waiting to see what will happen now (and when the posters and banners eyesore will be removed).

Will there be a change in leadership? Not bloody likely.

Will there be a drastic change in Parliament? Not likely.

Will brothers, sons, sons in law be given a leg up into the cabinet? Highly likely.

Will leaders of component parties take responsibility for the crushing defeat ala Koh? Dream on!

Will there be civil unrest? I’m not risking being put in jail!

Does life go on? Yeah.

I’m just finding it highly amusing that I will be living in an “opposition” area and that when I travel up North it will be “opposition” held states all the way. But they aren’t really “opposition” anymore are they? They are the ruling state government. Takes some getting used to not calling them the “opposition”. But what does one call them then?

Oh and then, there’s news of Zakaria’s death of a heart attack. Shock? Horror? Weak heart? If this was America, I’d place my bets on a conspiracy theory of a faked death. But I guess in the end, everyone gets their just desserts and its all in the hands of God now to judge him as He sees fit. Some things are just not for men to judge eh?

And I think the pakcik in my strange twilight zone picture was indeed swayed … in the opposite direction.

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

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!

Erm… Actually, I’m 6 months too early for the Beijing Olympic Games. I’m still holding out hope that someone somewhere will find it in their pockets to sponsor a trip for me to Beijing for the Summer Olympics this August. I don’t have to be there for the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Summer Olympics on 8-8-08. I don’t even have to be there for the finals of the 100m sprint event or for the 100m swimming event. Heck! I’ll even take a lawn bowls ticket if it means I can say I was there at the Beijing Olympics. Anyone?

Anyway, closer to home, the Nomination Day for the 12th General Election was yesterday and I, being a kaypoh, was there right in the thick of the action. I was only there at the nomination centre for the fun of watching the 2 parties shout and wave banners and flags at each other over a few metres of no man’s land. I couldn’t get too close because I was not toting a big ass SLR camera and wearing a vest with many pockets as the reporters were doing. Next time, I know how to dress to impress!

With the naming of the candidates out of the day, the race is officially on. In the next couple of days, expect to see strings of party symbols hung from street lights and trees and soon, faces of your candidate will appear. Look closely for this is about the closest you’ll  get to them and the most you’ll see of them for the next 4 years after they are elected.

And that is about all I have to say about the Elections.

Picture Credit of uyanum

I wrote about Parliament being dissolved and my excitement at the forthcoming Malaysian 12th General Election.

I will enjoy the poster war that will ensue and the excitement that builds, first on Nomination Day on February 24 (Sunday) when the candidates are named, and when it culminates on Polling Day on March 8 (Saturday). (Aside: I thought it was supposed to be a Snap Elections? Guess we were fooled again)

I will enjoy reading the promises and rumors that I am sure will abound in the follow up to the polls, as each side tries to outdo each other in their bid to be the winning candidate.

BUT I WILL NOT BE BLOGGING ABOUT IT.

From reading various blogs, I’ve realised that politics and religion make for bad blogging topics because it brings out the nasty side of everyone. More so when people share different beliefs and ideologies. Friendships have fallen out over less controversial topics and I don’t want to lose any friendships over arguing who is going to make a better government, or whether we should vote in a check and balance or whether it is going to make a difference.

I suppose those who thrive on controversial topics will enjoy the traffic it brings as supporters and detractors alike pop by to support/bash what you say on your blog.

I on the other hand, don’t thrive on this and so, if you want juicy election or candidate gossip, I’m afraid you are going to be sorely disappointed. Oh, and I’m not going to tell anyone where my political sentiments lie. Some things are left better unsaid.

All I will say is this: When you vote, Vote Wisely.

Interpret that how you will.