This was the comment one of my friends said I was have a discussion on (what else?) the elections. To see fairly strong incumbents lose to in-experienced, young (no focused) candidates I am concerned. While I am happy that we can safely see real change starting to take place where politicians will begin to take notice of people - yes, we are still here. I think many voted out of frustration, perhaps anger even. For too may years, people in power have too much of it and the built total ignorance of the people's feelings. The arrogance have finally driven them to the destruction. Or at least the beginnings of their destructions unless they are start to change. Judging from the newspaper reports I have been reading (yes the main stream media's news) it seems that it has not gotten into their heads (or not want to admit it). The blame continues. I hope deep inside these leaders, they see and admit in their hearts.
The collective anger and frustration that drove the results of this election give many of us a common enemy as it were. This went beyond race, religion and whatever differences we have. But is that enough to hold us together? Are we truly united and have we really gone beyond the race-based culture we have been so used?
Yes, many of us (me included) felt for the once we were Malaysian and felt empowered in this election. This election we "ganged-up" and went after corruption, crony ism that had reached the a stage where many felt has started to fail this country. We have to do something and we did!
But I feel we have not yet really crossed the race barrier - but it is a start, a small start. A start toward some level of political and social maturity. We have yet to touch issue like religion, health, education in significant depth. We have also not touched deep enough on issues pertaining to the economy and how we can all solve them together - we were concerned, and driven to the point by the oppositions politicians by reminding that things are getting more expensive, our pockets are hurting - they did not dwell in depth on the economy as a whole and its long term prospects. Suffice to know that BN stands for "Barang Naik" and that want matters. I think it is not enough, we need more engagement into depth and strategies. Unfortunately, it is us, the voters, that cannot comprehend this and cannot engage deeply with our politicians to make them think and respond in a more strategic manner. Politicians need to think beyond and outside the box - the people need to lead.
To really cross the race barrier, we all need to be able to look at deeper issues from economic, education to foreign policies to as one race, "Bangsa Malaysia". We have nonetheless, started out infant step towards real change. I pray, hope the next 5 years we move the next steps into making our country, our home a much better place to be in.
Every dog may have its day but I hope and pray the candidates we have voted in will adhere to their promise, make Malaysia great again.
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