Malaysians are finally waking up to the injustices committed by the current ruling government, thanks to wider access to alterntive news channels and also to the rising civic-consciousness of the people.

On 9 July 2011, there will be a peaceful rally from the city center to the King’s palace to deliver a list of 8 demands for electoral reforms to ensure fair and free elections. This rally is Bersih 2.0, the sister to its inaugural Bersih 1.0 on 10 November 2007, which directly or indirectly contributed to the opposition winning 5 states and for once in a long time, denying 2/3 majority to the ruling coalition.

I have never taken any interest in politics. I’ve always thought (and still do) think politics is the dirtiest “industry” with a bunch of greedy politicians out to fulfil their own selfish agendas. However, prior to the 2008 general elections, I was “woken up” because I started reading news from sources other than the mainstream newspaper (which are controlled by the ruling government), which then opened my eyes to so many disgusting and despicable things happening in my country, that we normal folks wouldn’t know about if we didn’t have access to these alternate news channels. But thanks to the internet and social media, unbiased and accurate news reports can now be accessed by a larger audience, which I think, is what’s contributing to the increasing civic awarenesss in Malaysian society today.

Also, prior to 2007, I was not a registered voter because I was one of those people who (due to my view of politics) didn’t think my one vote would be of any use to make any change in this country because (1) all political parties are the same i.e. out to fulfil their personal agendas so why should I even vote for any of them, and (2) heck, I’m less than a drop in the ocean so I won’t make a different anyway. But my view changed when the hubs educated me by saying that, yes, although it’s true that all political parties have their own agendas but it is better to vote for the opposition than not vote at all because at the very least, the opposition can be a check-and-balance to the ruling government so that they (the ruling government) will think a bit harder when they want to commit some hanky-panky. After thinking about that for a bit, I thought, that’s true. I can’t make a difference on my own but collectively, like-minded people like me can give the opposition a voice to challenge the ruling government and make them be more accountable for their actions.

So that’s where my perspective changed and I started taking more interest in how my country is being run and how my hard-earned tax money is being used. Of course, everyday there are things in the news that make me so angry that I wish I could just punch the daylights out of the idiots using my taxes but when I see/hear of Malaysians from all walks of life coming together to stand up against injustice and corruption, it makes me swell with pride, that there are people like me who do care about the state of our country and who are willing to suffer the consequences of standing up against the injustices forced upon us.

I will be the first to admit that (1) I don’t do enough, and (2) I am scared shitless of what could happen to me (or my family) if I were to be more involved. But my first step would be at next Saturday’s Bersih 2.0 rally. I am angry that the government is threatening harm to citizens who are just asking for fair and free elections. And I am angry that the government is succeeding in making me shake in my pants, anticipating what they are capable of stirring up in a massive rally of tens of thousands of people. The government is elected by the people (in fair elections, that is) and is supposed to serve the people and look out for the people’s wellbeing! But they are THREATENING us instead?! Where is the logic in that?!! This makes me so so angry when I feel unsafe to take to the streets in a peaceful walk to just ask for free and fair elections. That I’m afraid of what the police would do. That what the government would conspire to do, like plant instigators in the crowd to stir up racial tensions. Imagine that! I am afraid of the POLICE and the government!! What the hell??!!!! This makes me soooooooo angry!! The police is supposed to ensure citizens’ safety but now people are afraid of them?!! This just not make any sense at all.

Bersih 2.0 is not a political rally. If it were, I would think twice about going because I don’t openly support any political party. I will support anyone who is fair, free of corruption, and looks out for the good of the country and her people. If there is none, I will take the best I can get.

Bersih’s main objective is “to push for a thorough reform of the electoral process in Malaysia”. As far as I’m concerned, this is the cause I am supporting. The latest news on electoral flaws (just out yesterday) 152 voters sharing TWO addresses! 88 voters in one address and 64 in another. Like, hallo?! Does the Election Commission (EC) even check and validate registered voters against their addresses? I guess this proves that they don’t. But the one that sealed the fact that the EC is NOT independent nor impartial is when the EC chairman made a statement and accused Bersih of “championing an opposition party’s political agenda“. If the EC were really independent and impartial, it wouldn’t make such statements because this clearly indicates that the EC is for the ruling coalition.

The way the government is handling Bersih 2.0 is shameful and humiliating for us citizens. I hope the news is being spread internationally so that the world can watch how the ruling government is trying to stifle the rakyat from freely voicing their rights. Come 9 July 2011, I will walk with my fellow Malaysians to make a change in our beloved country, come what may. *yes, I’m still scared shitless but I’ll use the fear to drive me to do this*

Excerpt from the Msia Chronicle :

Tengku Adnan also said that the 1 Malaysia policy was not about racial equality per se but about the welfare of poor people across the racial groups that had to be taken into account.

“1 Malaysia is not about equality. You need to look at the poor Malays, poor Chinese, Indians, Kadazans, Ibans and Muruts. How do we help them? How do we ensure they can earn a living in the country? That is what 1 Malaysia is all about,” fudged Tengku Adnan

Hmm… 1Malaysia is NOT about racial equality? But but… I thought this was what our Prime Minister has been preaching all this while!

I’m confused.

“The Malays and bumiputeras do not want to be given only table scraps. We also want the main course of the economic stake,” said the veteran politician.

So says the Perkasa dude who seems to be completely off his rocker, based on the pictures that are published of him in the media. Seriously, have you seen pictures of him? He looks deranged!

First and foremost, I think the usage of the bumiputera term is grossly inaccurate because based on reports, it seems that the REAL bumiputeras have not been getting what they are entitled for. And personally, being Malay doesn’t automatically qualify one as bumiputera, if you go by the pure meaning of “sons of soil.”

And, if you want the main course, WORK for it! Isn’t it enough that so many ‘privileges’ have been and still are being handed to your people (since you want to play the race game) on a gold platter for years?

What? Scared that your ‘special privileges’ might be taken away? Scared to have to actually WORK to get what you want? Time to join the real world!

If you want something, you can bloody well put in the hard work to get it like the rest of the world and stop whining all the time! I’m so sick of reading/hearing about them crying and yelling whenever someone mentions anything about the NEP! Like, “Don’t you dare question the NEP because you are not Malay nor bumiputera.” *pukes and barfs* HALLO?! It is MY hard-earned tax money that is being used to support some of the likes of you lazy $#@%!!!

Gawd, sometimes I just feel like slapping these people.

Disclaimer : I’m totally aware that this doesn’t apply to ALL Malays. Unfortunately, the majority shouting the loudest seem to be coming from this incompetent bunch, and it doesn’t help that their voices are the ones being headlined in the news almost everyday.

One of the headlines on Mkini today :

NTV7 : Govt denies Rosmah interference
(in relation to a recent incident where there were allegations that the PM’s wife had a hand in events leading up to a TV producer walking out.)

Like, duh! Who in the world with the right mind would admit something like this?! Of course the govt would deny this!

Give us a break and stop treating us like idiots! Such an insult to our intelligence.

Bah!

What’s wrong with the existing palace?

So the breakdown of the RM811 million (original cost in 2006 was apparently RM400 million. How come it has increased more than 100% since 2006? Some more no open tender!) are :

• RM650 million for main complex
• RM130 million for flyover from Jalan Dute
• RM32.5 million for upgrading access road from Jalan Changkat Semantan to Jalan Istana

Source : Mkini

Wow! That’s a lot of taxpayers’ money. Don’t they have more pressing/critical issues to address with this money? Like, building more schools and hospitals, upgrading public transportation, helping the hardcore poor?

This country has pea-brained leaders whose main priority is to line their own pockets and leave the rakyat eating dirt.

Oh wait, I have just stated the obvious.

I totally agree with the comments on our fixation over titles.

Do not understand why this concept even exists, especially when it can so easily be purchased and abused.

Where these titled people go around flashing their titles to get things done for them, irregardless of cost/inconvenience to others.

What’s worse is that the ‘regular’ folks allow these people to do so. Because either they fear repercussions if they don’t or they hope for ‘special’ handouts or concessions from them.

It’s so disgusting sometimes it makes me sick.

Our law enforcement has nothing better to do.

According to the Malay Mail, the Malaysian police has been in talks with UK’s Scotland Yard for assistance in their bid to nab controversial blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin (RPK) during his trip to London soon.

This person hasn’t killed anyone, robbed anyone, raped anyone, beaten anyone up — at least, not that we all know of — so why spend so much time and resources try to nab him when they can spend the time and resources to nab ACTUAL criminals?

They do know that the way they are acting makes them look even more guilty of covering something up, right? Oh wait, but then again, they’re not know to be the brightest of the lot. Hmm.

Seriously, if they really have nothing to do, they should take up running or some form of regular exercise because they are all fat and lumpy, with bellies rolling over their belts.

Does he even know WHAT he is talking about?

I like this comment from a reader (although I think it’s an insult to compare cows with said idiot) :
Where has this idiot being all this while ? Does he not know his own [party's] way of managing the country thru racist quota, press muzzling,etc drive all the good people out of the country. Sometimes, its better to get a cow to be be minister. at least they are useful when dead.

More proof that the administration of this country is going down the drain.

Mich’s mother had a health scare last week, when she woke up and one of her arms couldn’t move. Mich was suspecting a heart attack so her mother went to IJN to get a checkup. After getting a general checkup and being prescribed some meds, Auntie asked to get further tests. But the admin person told her she needed to put down RM5,000 for the tests. Auntie was shocked at the amount, so she went to GH to get another checkup. The doc she saw told her no, you only need to put on RM2,000. Auntie went back to IJN and told them what the doc said but the admin person said no, it’s RM5,000. And Auntie needed to get a referral letter as well.

Auntie’s regular doc was in GH Penang (they’re from Penang) so she went back to Penang to try to see her doc to get the referral letter. But the clerk manning the appointment desk refused to let her see the doc because this person knew that Auntie was trying to get a referral letter. And she even had the nerve to tell Auntie “The govt can’t pay for things like this”. Auntie was so upset because she’s a firm believer in govt hospitals and to have that said to her face was like a big slap.

In the end, Mich’s brother (he’s in Canada) had to get his father-in-law (in Msia) to help out (not sure how but I guess the FIL has some connections) and this 70-year-old man with osteoarthritis had to wait at the hospital with Mich’s mother in order to see a cardiologist and managed to get an appointment for further tests in May.

I was infuriated when Mich related this story to me because first and foremost, GH is a govt hospital and ANYONE should be able to see a doctor at GH. Secondly, we pay taxes to maintain these hospitals so WTH do they mean “The govt can’t pay” for it?!!

So now it is even more obvious that our taxes are (1) going into someone’s bulging pockets, and (2) being used to fund useless projects, instead of being channeled to where they are needed the most. Or worse, they are being blatantly discriminating in the the patients they choose to treat.

Excerpt from Mkini :

…keynote address by Noh Omar, who alluded that non-Malays should be grateful that they were granted Malaysian citizenship.

Pray, tell me, WHY in the world should I be grateful that I have Malaysian citizenship? I am ENTITLED to my citizenship! My parents were born here, I was born here, I’ve lived here all my life, I’m working here and paying my taxes here. This is where I call home. And they dare tell me that I should be GRATEFUL???!!!!

I shall stop talking now before I say something really nasty.

And they should stop bringing up this stupid ‘be grateful’ thing because all it does is make people angry and work harder to get rid of them. Which is the only positive thing resulting from saying stupid things like this.

@$$holes.