Demo = Democracy or Demonstration??

Somebody was asking again if demonstration necessarily needs to be done in order to send our message across instead of just putting our votes into the ballot boxes. Not being diplomatic but my answer is yes & no, depending how's the local political condition is. Yes, if the lawmakers & decision makers are not doing the necessary steps to rectify the worsening issues, which need to be addressed urgently. We cant afford to wait till end of parliamentary term each time to say no. No, if everybody (including the voters, incumbent & opposition parties) are politically matured enough to handle the situations in a democractic system.

Analysing the local scene, one of the tactics is to beat the drums to build up the momentum towards general elections. This is definitely one of the most important political tools to gain people's votes with the existence of so many govt's controlled challenges. Watch dramas like The West Wing, Commander in Chief etc to understand tis. U see, people have short memories actually. At the polling day, if no issues been highlighted earlier, basically people will decide based on happenings during poll campaigning period & not during the 5 years ruling term. Taking into accounts that all mainsteam medias are being controlled by ruling political parties, u can be assured of "controlled information" to the people during the period. Of cos, situation in 2008 proved that Internet has played a critical role in shifting the votes to the PR coalition. Still, mainstream medias' roles cannot be downplayed due to rural people still referring to mainsteam medias as source of information.

Lots of countries used demonstrations to great effects in changing the ruling governments. I dont need to mention more about the Arab Spring. At regional front Taiwan, Ma Ying Jeou's Kuomintang party used continous pressured demonstrations to force out Chen Shui Bian's Democratic Progressive govt, tainted by corruption. Remember how Suharto fell from his grace, back in 1998? Here, we have Bersih NGOs playing big parts to pressure the Election Committee to buck up. And then, Lynas issue, continued with AUKU university act, then the PTPN vs free education issue,  Kelantan oil royalty, Felda's FGV listing, Sabah's illegal immigrant issues & finally, the mother of em' all, summarising all issues into one HKR 112 last January 12th.

We have long way to go, comparing with USA or UK's 2 parties system where the democracy spirit is so much alive. Watch any of the Obama vs Romney debates & u will understand what I meant. I truly believe we will finally embrace true democracy one day. We may not live long enough to see it happens here but we are definitely taking steps to reach there NOW to ensure our grandchildrens & generations beyond witness it. This, needs supports from both political sides. Under the current situation, the current ruling BN government needs a heavy KO from the people & needs to be taken off for them to wake up from their slumber to initiate changes within themselves. Look at how Congress Party reflects & rise after being knocked out by BJP in India. LDP regained back the power in Japan in 2012 after ousted by DPJ years earlier.

HKR112

A BIG wave is coming. It strikes the country in 2008. This time, it's gonna be a BIGGER one. For those who still dunno, I'm referring to a people's revolution, being angry with the ruling government for many issues. Indians called it "Makkal Sakthi". Corruption, misuse of powers, cronyism, nepotism, racism, uncontrolled usage of people's money n many others. All got worse after the last election held in 2008, causing the rakyat to be angrier and those peeps are hell bent on kicking out the present government in the next election. Now that election is looming near after the 5 years term is coming to the end, its the battle between incumbent BN government n the opposition PR coalition to get the votes from the real power, the people of Malaysia.

Many demonstrations were held to tell the government to meet up to the demands. I participated in one, Bersih 3.0 rally last April 28. Truly an eye-opening experience. Being on the streets with hundreds of thousands of Malaysians from all walks of life, for the same common goal which is for the Election Commission to BERSIH (clean) the electoral roll to have a fair election. Experienced the teargas too. Not a proud thing to boast actually but its the feelings after that....Being offered water n salt by unknown strangers from different races, calming u down n advising u. This, I say is priceless. Sadly to say, nothing was done to meet the demands besides many other human rights, n even environmental issues cropped up along the way. Another bigger rally was held, called Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat - HKR (People's Rise Assembly) was held on 12th January in the capital city. Hence, the title of tis post.

Proud to say I was there together with larger crowds than last Bersih 3.0 on the historical day, held in a historical place, Stadium Merdeka. Rais Yatim said attendance was 5K. The PM said it was 10K. Police said it was 40K. Note: Stadium seating capacity is 45K, not taking into consideration countless people assembling outside stadium n around town. Google the images, see my hp photo below n give your estimation.

Waiting to enter stadium

Full capacity

What's so great about being in a full capacity stadium then? Long story indeed. Being an avid local political observer, my fault for not sharing the issues n thoughts in here earlier. It's a touching scene where u can see countless people of different races in a single place under hot blazing sun wanting to make themselves count for a common goal. Trust me, tis is not like gathering with everybody in a stadium, rooting for Dato Lee Chong Wei versus Lin Dan. U can really see in the people faces that they want a better-managed economy, a better environment, a better welfare for the people, a better way to live their life, & most important of all, a better future for the next generations. Never before I've sung Negaraku so proudly in my life, singing it in a stadium full of proud citizens, it goes deep straight into our heart, causing even the toughest of men to shed tears. Who say singing national anthem is boring??

Singing of Negaraku before the start of the assembly

Doubters ask is it necessary to attend rally of this kind to send our messages across . We should support on what is right & make ourselves count. Giving real life example, if no one attend & listen to the famous Martin Luther King speech, do u think there'll be changes & he be revered as a legend? Going back to local history, if there's no demonstrations & agressive opposition by locals towards the formation of Malayan Union, will the British be pressured to give independence to us? Will I do it again if there's another one? For the sake of my future generations, I just need to. No hesitation about it....

A Resurrection Again???

Maj was saying tis blog now has only 2 posts a year. One to wish all a happy new year & one more posted on December to summarize all activities & close up the year. True indeed. Can I say it's dead? Technically, maybe. Its only after being resuscitated, moved a while & dead again. Blame da writer...

At the age of Youtube, Facebook & Twitter where u can express ur feelings/thoughts just with a single post of a photo/video/sentence, writing seems to be a time-consuming, hair scratching activity. Happened to browse the old posts today, made me realised about something. It serves also as a reminder to myself about my own thoughts, my past mistakes, my own resolutions which I've actually forgotten along the way. Men has the shortest of memories really. Cant even remember what I had for dinner yesterday nite. And then, realised that there's so many personal experiences (good & bad) last 2012 that could be shared with all to inspire people, to remind people, to tell people, to share with people.

Too late to start it all over again?? Me says no such thing. A football game final result is decided by the blow of referee's whistle at 95th minute & not when the clock ticks at 90th minute. Let's roll it out...Do support & keep tis going by leaving comments ya...:) Have a great year ahead, everyone...