A few of my close friends asked me, why I had kept silent with the current political situation in Malaysia. I just shrugged them off and said "nothing much to talk about". With the look on their faces, I knew that they couldn't believe me because I always had a lot of things to talk about, may it be nonsense or sensible. Today I guess will be the right time to share with you my GE 13 experience.
GE 13 - From my perspective:
- Weeks before the Parliament Dissolved : I have voiced out discontent on the ugliness of the flags being put off everywhere, regardless of traffic safety. Flags, in this sense inclusive of all political parties contending.
- Days before election: Got tired with the "Terima Kasih" song. Hated the radio advertisement on Red. FM about "A vote for DAP = a vote for PAS, and what cultural changes are irreversible". Even hated the television advertisement, did not bother to switch on the TV until 10pm for my favourite drama. Annoyed at the auto phone call that request people to vote BN, and also the sms notification even at wee hours in the morning. Meanwhile, facebook group, whatsapp groups are filled with info/warning sharing about BNs incompetency. The concerts organized were attractive and I bet most of the people would attend.
- On election day: Woke up really early in the morning. Excited, the voting station has a long queue already at 8am. Went home with facebook filled with "Bangla/Burmese/Indon" fake voters news. Some with photos. I started news with photos, and ignore the rest. Sooner that night, i decided not to share any news, for suspicion that some are fake.
-After election: friends were sad and angry that the opposition lost. I, am disappointed at what I believed at that time, dirty election. Friends were all fired up and ready for the Black gathering. Me? excited, but my common sense get the better of me. I decided not to go. I love my country. I love my friends and family. But I love my life more. There could be fiasco. There could be tragedy. I won't take that risk. I'm glad nothing happened, nobody got injured.
From the moment the wind of election blows to us, we have divided. Some hated the opposition, some hated the government. The problem arises when we, thinking only about "Freedom of Speech" and blah all out in the Facebook, without thinking about others. When I was young, my primary school teacher told me that "Pilihanraya adalah satu masa di mana semua rakyat menunaikan tanggungjawab masing-masing, dan memilih kerajaan negara. Undi itu adalah rahsia". Seems like everyone had forgotten to keep this rahsia and even campaign for that certain party. It's not to say wrong, I am not God to judge anyone, what I'm trying to say is, "di manakah nilai bertimbang rasa yang diajar sejak darjah satu?". Regardless on who we support, and what we like, we need to be thoughtful on feelings of others. For instance, there are people who dislike durians and "chou tou fu" (smelly tofu), and when they dislike that, you cannot force them to eat and like them like you do! People must understand that, freedom of speech applies on everyone, and you must respect people's opinion, and refrain from making offensive remarks.
We are not politicians, we don't have to do their jobs. We only read what that is provided in the internet or shared by facebook and whatsapp, but we don't actually know the truth. Do you have reliable source? Can you verify the news? Our responsibility is to vote, and that ends there. I don't agree with rallying on streets, being made as a political tool for the politicians. There is no good vs evil here. Just black vs grey. Both are almost the same. With that said, I actually offended many PR hardcore fan, and being labelled as a BN supporter. But sorry to say, I support intelligence and reject stupidity. I reject self-centered, money making politician and welcome a true rakyat's representative who really wish to serve the country. Stupid politicians should not be allowed to rule the country. (this refers to those that create racial tension, calls the other races pendatangs or tsunami, threatens with keris, and the one that asks us to migrate if we are not happy). Fullstop.
I would say kudos to the PR social media team, as they have achieved to portray Najib is evil and Anwar is good. I find it really funny to read my friend's comment "Anwar is our only hope. He is the next Prime Minister, otherwise nobody else le". And a group of them seems to agree with that. I won't say them wrong, they actually may have a point. Someone once told me, last resort, you fight poison with poison, and perhaps this could be it.
This GE13 proves the SPR incompetency. The whole SPR should be revamped. When I was at the polling center, the officer on duty cannot even make up his mind to allow self-printed sheets to be used for registration. Hence causing so much delay. The younger SPR officers (wearing grey T-shirt with SPR tag) sat under the tree, leaving the senior (quite elderly) ones to coordinate the crowd. I am utterly disgusted at this kind of Malaysian-attitude. And this is what I oppose. The elections are held 5-years once and these people can't take their job seriously! Even the volunteers PACABA registration should be upgraded. Make it like a serious job to do, e.g. submit resume, go for selection process and all. PENS should be provided to "X" the ballot, not pencil. SPR have 4 years time to increase voting efficiency, reduce queue time, and get rid of the messy indelible ink. Serbuk kunyit (turmeric powder) can be a better and cheaper indelible stain than those ink.
Thanks for reading.
Bear in mind comments are being moderated because I don't want to be caught under Sedition Act, or Evidence Act if you post a racist/offensive/seditious comments. Comments like "Yoh! MsXeROz is Ace" is allowed at all times. *winkz*
MsXeROz loves Malaysia!
