Towards our 51st Merdeka

So PKR won Permatang Pauh. Yawn. A safe seat, at best, and weak opponents, in my opinion. Not to fault BN, because there's truly no suitable opponent, unless it was Tun Mahathir himself. Mind you, I'm not saying that DSAI is a good candidate, because I tell you, if he had the oratory skills of er, shall I say, a certain ex-minister who sort of embarassed himself and us when interviewed by a certain foreign media, he wouldn't even be where he is today.

To me, DSAI is all hype. He has the speech and charm and he has stepped into an era where people want change. But what kind of change has he wrought? Street demonstrations & protests, street violence, particularly towards the media and running to foreign powers for help when things don't go his way. And when all else fails, he has his bad back to fall on, pun intended. But is that the Malaysian way? For years, we've enjoyed peace. We read the papers, we congregate at kedai kopi-s and complain about everything under the sun. We write and complain to our assemblymen, and media, whenever we have grouses. We watch the news and see street demonstrations & violence happening all around the world and thank God that that's not the situation in our country.

Today, it's a different life. Ever since that stupid (pardon my strong language) Reformasi movement, life has changed for Malaysians everywhere. Hardcore supporters would say that it's a welcome change, but is it really? To me, we're now no different from countries who throw away their leaders like yesterday's stale bread. To be fair, part of the blame lies on the present weaker government. Wishy-washy decisions, weak leaders and outdated policies need to be addressed immediately, and to me, we still need the present government (albeit a change in the leaders. perhaps?) to bring us back to the situation when the great Tun was our leader.

I fear that if (God forbid!) another coalition rules the country, Malaysia will be another Iraq or the other countries governed indirectly by the US. Don't throw rocks at me, it is going to happen, if a certain party leads the nation. You can already see it now, the secret meetings with foreign representatives, running to other embassies for assistance, slamming our beloved nation in other countries. It doesn't help that youngsters nowadays lack the pride and love for our country that we have, and which sadly, most of my generation is also starting to lose.

For all that we dislike about the US, one thing can be said about them. They are proud of their country and their flag. They rally around each other when situations need them to. Can that be said about Malaysia? Are we already losing our identity, when we are still such a young country? That's what I fear. Already, not too long ago, Bahasa Baku was implemented, which to me, sounded too much like a neighbouring country's language, which, to me, was the beginning of the erosion of our nation from what it once was. Although Bahasa Baku has now been curbed, I still remember who introduced it, as well as all the foreign elements I've mentioned above.

To me, that is unforgivable. I cannot forgive such a person for changing this country for the worse. I cannot forgive such a person who lacks so much respect for this country that he/she is willing to badmouth us to any foreign power who wants to listen, yet harbours ambition to rule us all. I cannot forgive such a person who makes a mockery of our democratic system by "suggesting" to his loyal supporters to vacate the seats which we, the people, have chosen them for, so he/she could pursue his own political agenda. I cannot forgive such a person who changes his/her views to suit whichever audience he/she is facing, even if that means he/she is betraying his/her race or people.

And for now, I cannot forgive the situation that has forced such a person onto us all.

Our country will be 51 come Sunday (which incidentally coincides with my 7th wedding anniversary!). I pray for her long life and prosperity, and hope that the worst won't happen, because I need for the Malaysia that I know to still be around for my grandchildren.

Selamat Hari Merdeka!