My Hope... My Malaysia...

Negaraku...

The weeks surrounding this year's elections (GE13) got me writing a few posts on facebook and also giving feedback for my friend's article. :) As sometime has passed since, I thought I'd just gather all the writings into one place so that it is easier for my reference in the future. :) Here goes!

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Article #1

Question: Why are you coming back to vote and what are your hopes for Malaysia?

Why I'm coming back to vote.
- Many times as citizens of this country, we feel we have the right to complain. Why? Because we are living it. The reality of things. We say of many things that are not good and give 10 opinions on why it is not good and what should be done about it. For all that we as Malaysians are "voicing" our dissatisfaction to thin air, this is one time, where our voice does matter. Our right to vote should be exercised so that we choose the right leaders to lead our country. So that these leaders will represent the ideal that we want. Don't go running amok with complaints if you yourself have not chosen to use that voice to vote. This is the one chance I get to use my voice where it matters, and I'm choosing to use it for a better Malaysia.

Hopes for Malaysia?
- I truly believe that Malaysia has what it takes to make a mark on the world. We have some of the brightest minds, the most passionate people and the coolest cultures in the world. I want Malaysia not to be known just for what she is but what she CAN be. Beyond that, I want Malaysians to know that Malaysia deserves a shot. That no matter where they are, there is this sense of belonging to our homeland. A sense of pride from where we come from. Pride that is so deep you want to give back to help build the next generation.

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Article #2

Question: What are your views on unity. (For the campaign: Kamilah Malaysia)

"Kamilah Malaysia.

Reading these 2 words brings to mind the 3 Musketeers. "All for one, and one for all" was their famous tag line and has been extensively used throughout the world.

In Malaysia, we need UNITY. Unity because of different backgrounds, different races, different tribes. When I mention unity I do not mean that we all become robots and churn out the same answer and have the same belief, but rather in within unity there is a need for humility, a need for respect, a need for understanding and a need for tolerance.

We need to be united. We can't afford as a nation to have a future that is divided. With what I've witnessed in the last few weeks leading up to the election, I hope the people of Malaysia will continue to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. I hope that we will bear with each other and forgive one another. I hope that over all these virtues, we put on love, which will bind it all in perfect unity.

Coming back to my unity, when I think of it; I think of the 3 musketeers; where "All Malaysians are for every individual who call themselves Malaysians and every individual who calls him/herself Malaysian for all Malaysians.

"All for one, and one for all".

Kamilah Malaysia."

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Article #3

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Facebook #1: 6th May 2013

"BLACK. Not because I've lost my hope in Malaysia.
BLACK. Not because Malaysia is dead.
BLACK. Because I believe there is still hope.
BLACK. Because yesterday was a very dirty day but I acknowledge it. 

And I choose not to give up."

This was written a day after the elections and many were sad to see the amount of injustice during the whole day. I wrote this because many were assuming that those who chose to blacken their profile picture meant that they gave up on Malaysia. On the contrary, some of the most passionate people I know who live and breathe Malaysia were the ones changing their pictures. It wasn't a sign on giving in. It was a sign of disappointment and their promise to see a better Malaysia.

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Facebook #2: 27th April 2013

The People are Tired. The Rakyat has had enough.

Had a nice time with Christine Lim this morning and not surprisingly, our topics of discussion revolved around the upcoming elections. Just before that, I bought a Star newspaper because I haven't in a long time. What shocked me was not so much that news was very pro-government. What shocked me was the advertisement that "MCA" published to ruin DAP. And it wasn't just a simple press statement or maybe a black and white page. NOPE. It was a 6 full blown coloured pages of tax payer's money that I personally felt had very disrespectful messages. To add to that, they even pull out the racial card.

What happened to the 1Malaysia stance that you so boldly speak about? Yet in campaign messages you show the opposite? Why ask us to vote for UNITY when you do not live it? Where is the integrity in that?

After the meet up, saw this video online. So heart breaking. BUT what made it great was to see Malaysians coming together to voice their concerns. Not just in Malaysia itself, but throughout the world. :)

My fellow countrymen,

Whether here or abroad, your voices during Bersih 3.0 made the world notice our small country.

People are watching. They're listening and on May 5th, they'll be waiting...

Each of you have a voice. Each of you have the right to speak up and to use that voice. Don't waste this opportunity.

Get up and Go VOTE.

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This is my Hope.

This is my Malaysia.

Ciao.

p.s.: To all Malaysians, just as your heart beats for this country, so does mine.