– May Chee The Malaysian Insider May 22, 2013
MAY 22 – More than a hundred thousand have thronged a single rally and there was no untoward incident. Thirty at a candlelight vigil showing solidarity with a young and courageous Malaysian and it turned chaotic. So, when someone says we go to the streets to foment chaos, he hasn’t a clue or he’s plain lying through his teeth. I would say he had ill-intent. We all know very well that things only turn ugly when people with ill-intent send in their thugs to rough others up.
I have never been prouder of our fellow Malaysians, especially our youth than now, when we are going through some really trying times. There was a time when I was so afraid that our young would be so obsessed with the ills of consumerism that they would not learn how to love their fellowmen. I was so afraid that all they cared for was to deck themselves with branded stuff from top to toe, bling-a-ling away like a Christmas tree.
Now, I know better. I know there’s hope for Malaysia because our youth care. They do care for their fellow Malaysians, irrespective of creed and colour. They care so much that they have spent time and money, braved the scorching sun and pouring rain, teargas and chemical-laced water, too, to be in solidarity with fellow Malaysians. They care so much that they are asking now for a more active participation in the building of the future of their motherland, only because others have failed.
Shouldn’t we be proud when our young show that they are independent? That they don’t need us to spoonfeed them anymore? That they can think for themselves? That they are willing to sacrifice for another? That they know that crutches would be bad for them? That they want to run free, free to be themselves and not what others want them to be? That they know we sorely need to rid our motherland from corruption, institutionalized racism, persecution and marginalization, etc?
We have a minority government who is so afraid that the moment they seized power, they started threatening us. All those promises made pre-election were just wool to pull over our eyes. Thank God, the majority of Malaysians are not myopic especially the youth. That’s what’s most heartening these days.
We, the majority of Malaysians, have spoken out loud. We are saying we can’t go on like this. Endemic corruption, spiraling crime rate, skyrocketing debt level, bad governance, sub-standard education, etc, etc – all these will be the death of us. So, do we chicken out by migrating, the majority of us? Do we? Or do we stay back and fight?
Our mission to fight to save our motherland, though arduous, is a peaceful one. We don’t want the chaos you bandied about; we come in peace. It is only those with ill-intent, those who sent in the thugs , water cannons and teargas who want the world or the minority of Malaysians to perceive that wanting what’s best for our motherland is chaotic. That to be in solidarity with fellow Malaysians is chaotic. That voicing our concerns is chaotic and deserves incarceration. That it’s safer to live under tempurungs. That knowing the truth is chaotic. After all, perception is everything to them – cowards who live in denial. Cowards who are often loudest in their threats!
Precious resources are being abused to go after those who are fighting for a better Malaysia. Dissent from our courageous youth muted through incarceration. Our motherland will be bankrupted in no time just so some people can remain in power and the vicious cycle they have entrapped themselves. Institutions neutered to favour the corrupted. Is there anyone in the world who thinks we can afford to go on like this?
Can you find anyone among your friends who have not been victim of a crime lately? Even those who rank among the ruling class are not spared. The robbers and burglars sure know where to “hit” for want of a better bounty. Is this not the “chaos” where our precious resources should be utilized to bring about a safer Malaysia. If you are not utilizing our precious resources to combat what ills the nation, are you, yourself not fomenting this “chaos”?
It’s strange how some people think they can make us see white when it’s definitely black and vice versa. How is it that in a land of almost 30 million, we have fools and jokers running the country? Surely, we can find many qualified people to do the job. Are they seen as threats to the half-bakes we now have? Such a pity; with the present crop, I can only see us rolling back to stone-age. Simple, all they care about is perception and not the reality on the ground.
Our precious resources are dwindling, day by day. Put whatever is left of them to good use. Don’t further abuse them to watch your own backs. Rehabilitate your thugs. Use the money you hire them to do evil things to equip them for a better and more meaningful life. Let our young speak for the future of this nation is theirs. Prepare them to build a nation we all can be proud of, not incarcerate them without a pillow and blanket.
Don’t be selfish, my dear leaders of a minority government. Be the patriots you want others to believe that you all are. We know the truth. It’s not just a perception. The truth shines like a beacon. It lights our path, here in Malaysia. Let it light yours, too.
So, when we take to the streets, we come in peace. Fear not, we will behave. We are a disciplined lot.
We do it, in solidarity with our brothers and sisters here in Malaysia because we care. We just love our motherland, is that so hard to grasp?
Thank you and God bless.