What Can We Do?

I've given a lot of thoughts ever since "the day will be long remembered". I think I have to make some note here because I need a reminder to myself.

Before the election, a lot of us were saying if we can achieve the true democracy, a two party system, we can plan to go home for good. We, as in some Malaysians who currently reside in Singapore.

We are a group of fortunate people who enjoy the best of both worlds. I do not and will not deny this fact. We work in Singapore, earning the stronger currency. At the same time we are not very far from home, with the grown of budget airlines, we get to go home more often than the Malaysians in other countries.

But come to think of it. How selfish are we? We are only planning to go home when things are better? And what are we doing to make it better? Click some 'like' and 'share' in Facebook? Are these actions sufficient to justify the fact that we simply move back to enjoy the fruits from the trees which were not even planted by us?

Every single action, no matter how small it is, plays a part in contributing in a larger outcome. For example, first you have to start with register as a voter. Then, make an effort to cast your vote. If every eligible citizen plays the role, we are one step closer to democracy.

The reason why we never achieved a true democracy, is the people. People who do not think that it matters whoever is the government. People who do not think that one vote in their hand will affect anything. People who do not believe that change can happen as long as we put effort in it. People who do not care, but continue to complain. And mind you, these people can be anybody. From old aunties uncles to executives in big companies. Senses and awareness are not proportionate to your education level. Never.

However, things have really changed. Myself as an example. My political awareness had slowly increased since 308. And exponentially increased when the parliament wasn't dismissed in 2013 until April. I believe there are many whom are like me. Thanks to the social media and independent media.

But we had fallen into some of our own delusions that democracy can be created overnight. Hence, after the defeat, we mourned, we grieved, we felt despair. We were blurred by the things being shared in social media and confused between truth and rumours.

But come to think about it, whose fault is it, of the defeat? Us. Because we took too long to come to the realization that we can change. Because we were so blind by our own delusion, we have forgotten about precautions to take against the tricks. Because we were so confident, we forgot there were still groups of people that have different level of awareness from us.

Maybe it's purposely planned this way, by The Authority Up There. So that we have time to reflect ourselves. If The Authority thinks that we're mature enough after 21days, The Authority may give the fairness back to us. If we're not, if we're still stupid, The Authority may give us another 5 years.

So no matter it's a 21 days or 5 years of wait, the Rakyat have to work together to boost the awareness level, nation wide. If you do not know how to spread to others, at least read more and analyze more on your own. Self awareness and self help is a great help too.

I apologize that my awareness came really late, I'm almost 30 years old this year. That to me, is really late. I have to call myself stupid. But it's better late than never.

Let's work hard together, for democracy!

Of My Skin Colour

I do not know about you, but I have had several occasions where I had to explain to the foreigners about myself. Because, there are always some confusions.

Foreigner:"Hi, where are you from?"

Me:"Hi, I'm Malaysian."

Foreigner:"I thought you're Chinese."

Me:"I'm a Malaysian Chinese."

Foreigner:"..." (blank face)

Me:"Malaysia is a multiracial country. We have Malays, Chinese, Indians, Iban, Kadazan, and many other ethnics. But we are all Malaysians, we can all speak Malay and English. And on top of that, we speak our mother tongue."

Foreigner:"Whoa! That are a lot of languages to learn!"

That's a typical conversation when I encounter foreigners who know little about Malaysia. 

I was born in Malaysia, I grew up in Malaysia, I was educated in Malaysia. I am a Malaysian. 

I do not introduce myself as Chinese when I meet foreigner, because I'm not from China.

So, please allow me to introduce myself again.

Hi, I'm a Malaysian. 

Aku anak Malaysia.

We are proud to be Malaysians

Tears shed, heart broken. But we are Malaysians, we are strong, we are resilience, we will stand up! We are even nearer to the road of true democracy.

We have achieved a lot we could never have done before 505. We have the highest turn out rate ever in General Election in Malaysia history. We have the highest political awareness ever! (including myself) We have proved we are one united nation, all the different races come together to share the same vision for our beloved country. We have proved that we can face the defeat, maturely.

We will show them, the-forever-racist-comments that they made will not affect us. We will show them we learned our lessons from this defeat. We will show them who we are in five years to come.

There are a lot people to thank in this PRU13.

Thank you to all the PACABA! You have done a great job, helping to educate the voters, especially the first timers like me. Specially to my friend, Ching Siang, who flew home from Abu Dhabi, not just to cast his vote, but to be a PACA himself. To spread more awareness, to help junior to raise fund for air ticket to fly home, to give hope.

Thank you to all the Malaysians who have voted. Thank you to all the Malaysians who have tried their very best to spread awareness.

Thank you to Dato Sri Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng, Karpal Singh, and all the other opposition leaders! You have given us hope and strength to fight. You have united the people. You have given us a vision.

Thank you to all the Penangites! I'm proud to be one! We have shown them money can't buy our votes (I was worried but results proved that I was thinking too much). We have shown them who we want for our state government again and again! We have shown them Penang boleh! Penang has given me hope!

Last but not least, thank you to our PM! Because of you we are even more determined to stay strong and united. Because of you, Chinese society learned that PAS is peaceful and nothing to be afraid of, the thoughts and fear about PAS in the past was so idiotic. True racial harmony is looking good and bright in Malaysia!

I've seen a lot of kindness in this PRU13. People helping each other at the polling center. People handing out donations to the party in need. Police at the polling center helping out in taking care of young children when the parents were voting in the classroom. People clearing out their own rubbish after ceramah. People leaving ceramah quietly and orderly.

I am moved. Truly.

I think it's time to stop mourning. Yes, we are defeated this time. But like my sister said, Lim Kit Siang can fight for this for 47 years, went into jail for two times, who are we to give up hope?

Never give up. Stay strong. Stay mature and peaceful. Stop posting insensitive comments on social media. Do not go on street and riot.

And also, do not forget today. Remember this very heart-aching feeling you are having, right here right now. Remember how you were defeated, so that you can stand up from where you fall.

Remember, do not lose hope, continue to believe because

Quote from Star Wars
Luke: "I can't believe it."
Yoda: "That is why you fail."

Malaysia boleh!