ateng_batigol

Our
national political turmoil has invited a huge international attention and
public concerns. Despite being on the spotlight, many Malaysians are still left
behind in this political maturity struggle. The vast majority are still
suffering from the “Stockholm Syndrome”; heavily in love while being held
captives by the government who takes away their freedom to speak the truth.

The
“angguk-angguk geleng-geleng” disease seems to have severely taken its toll. As
a government, you would always want an easy-to-manage country without all the
hassle to entertain enormous amount of uncontrollable demands and inspiring
criticisms and above all convincing debates against their very interest;
maintaining power in a peaceful way. Everyone knows the tight relationship
between businessmen and politicians. With the basic salary that the politicians
earn, it will never be enough to keep their “open door” policy a success. In
time, people will always vote for those who can deliver (not everyone but most
of them). Thanks to the “money dudes”, politicians are financially strong to
help anyone knocking their door and those dudes have their interest taken care
off while the politicians remain power for a longer period of time. Seems like
everybody wins right? But it has never been a black and white sort of story. A
person’s judgement is always blurred when money corrupts them. Read “All the
King’s Men” by Penn Warren, things like these happen almost everywhere in the
world. It is just a matter of how far the line is being pushed for it.

The
recent “Bersih” rally stirred the image of Malaysia quite substantially. With BBC and Al-Jazeera leading the press coverage at the
international stage, hundreds of countries became witness of what Malaysia
is made of. While on the local scene, there was a mixture of facts and reports
ranging from TV1, TV3, ASTRO, TV9 and some other independents like MalaysiaKini
(which apparently belittled by our Minister of Info). Even so, any coverage is
subjective to respective interests and perceptions, thus nonetheless they are
all not 100 % accurate in terms of angle of their reports. Remember that
history is written by the victors, so facts only have meaning when we analyze
it from a certain perspectives. I am not in the position to stand by any of
these reports, but I am concern the effects of this event have on the soil I
was born from.

There were strong opinions which sound “Those
oppositions and related NGOs are selling their country for the sake of getting
into power” while some others said “Thank you for risking your lives for
our children’s sake”. On the other hand, some commented on the government’s
reaction; “why wont they allow such a peaceful gathering” and “they shouldn’t
have been so lenient about it”.

When
it comes to personal outlook, I am a believer of a non-dominant party system. When
power is not shared properly among the people it precipitates abuse of authority
and unfair electoral process. We are human beings our judgements will always be
subjugated by other’s influence and so thus Electoral Committee. However this
effect can be minimized when more people get involved in the decision making
process. It is not only during the election but throughout our daily lives. In
this world, many countries started with a dominant party system but many have
reformed and proceed with a better structured government. Currently there are
about a handful of them and Malaysia is apparently in the cartel. But one has to ask themselves, what the nation
really needs and when is the right time to push for it.

Just
a food for thought, if we rank what matters most to Malaysians that can
eventually promote better awareness of their rights and respectful voice I
wonder what will it be. Security, political stability, economic development,
social equity and environmental balance. With the growing number of crimes, no
child is safe on the playground or even coming back from school. Not mentioning
rempit and its likes (not trying to condemn all rempit as I have good rempit
dudes…but specifically referring to ‘group gangsters”) make driving a
hell-thrilled experience with the images of being hit-robbed-run. Will these
things matter to the people most?

How
about our dependency to multinational companies? Our economy is a non-self
sufficient type that we depend on international investors and industries alike.
Once we are in war or internationally alienated, they would love to just dine
and dash. Does this matter? What about social equity? Haven’t the national policies
seem a bit racist with the increasing possibilities of another 1969 showdown?
Environmental issues? Who cares about it in Malaysia except Karam Singh Walia. It seems like he is the only one who wants to see the
future breed to breathe a safe and fresh air.

So
how do you love Malaysia?
I leave it to you.