My Malaysia
I had never really cared much
about politics. Not in Malaysia,
and definitely not in other countries. But this year, I had to care. Cos I was
voting for the first time.
It’s interesting how times and
situations shape you. At the time I registered to be a voter, didn’t really see
the big deal about voting. I mean, it’s just my one teeny vote. I registered
because I happen to see the registration booth in One U (I was shopping) and it
had been drummed into my subconscious mind that it is my responsibility as a
citizen of this country to vote.
That was more than a year ago.
And it was not until a few weeks before the polling day that I realize, sooner
or later, I would have to choose a box to X. And if I didn’t know enough to make
that decision, it would have been a vote carelessly cast(ed).
Well, that sparked some
interest. I wouldn’t say that I’ve known it all, though. Trying to hear
objectively from both sides was and is very confusing. I may have come to my
own stand and conclusion based on non-truths, though I really hope I have not,
but hey, I’m learning.
Voting, besides deciding which
box to mark, was surprisingly easy. I had the impression that it was going to be
a long and tedious process. I was so wrong. It took me less than 15 minutes to
wait for my turn (only 10-12 people in front of me), a minute later my ballot
paper went into the transparent ballot box and in seconds I was out of that
classroom. Didn’t even have to break a
sweat. Easy-peasy.
Malaysia chose and now she sits and looks on to see how her government will perform. Kinda like watching a tight rope walker trying to balance himself while walking towards an unknown destination.
There is one thing I’ve
noticed and I’m sure you have too. Race and politics in Malaysia are so
intricately inter-woven. I do think she has learned from her past
and has not repeated her mistake. But the air is still tense.
I wonder when will we grow out
of this.
I do hope I live to see the
day where we will totally disregard the colour of our skin and see beyond our
differences to stand united as a nation. To celebrate our individual uniqueness
and to stand as true Malaysians.
This will be a dream I pray I will
not give up on.
