I’ve been waiting with bated breath for voting day just to be disappointed when it’s announced to be held on 8th Mar – the day that I won’t be around town. I’m so crushed and angry at this unfortunate state of things. There is still a slim chance that I can vote (if I land earlier than expected and if there are no jams on the road all the way to Klang) and I’ll grab it if I can.

The General Elections 2008 has been a hot topic of conversation amongst us Malaysians these days. There are a lot of people out there who are dissatisfied with the state of things. I’m one of them. I was a victim of snatch theft more than a year ago. The thugs were never caught, my belongings never came back to me and the crime rates just got worse. My mom herself became a snatch theft victim (for the second time in her life!) not too long after my sad episode. The thing that made me angry was not only was she badly hurt in that incident, but it also left a deep-seated fear in her. Not forgetting a friend was robbed and murdered in her very own home just last year.

I want to feel safe walking on the streets again. I want to see crime rates be reduced and that innocent children not be preyed upon by sadistic abductors. I want to see changes – positive and open-minded ones be made in our education system, making it world-class and producing high-caliber Malaysians who can take the nation to greater heights. I want to see a fair and just judiciary system. I want to see tolls being abolished. I want to see our nation’s moneys and resources be put to good use for the benefit of the general rakyat with no marginalized segments. I want to see corruption end. And most of all, I want to see freedom of expression and to practice individual faiths without fear.

So, besides spreading awareness through conversations with friends and all, we can do our part to see the much-needed changes be put in place. Here are some ways on how you can make a difference:

• If you can vote, VOTE. And vote wisely.
• Know your rights as a Malaysian citizen. Read up on the Federal Constitution. If you know your rights, you will not cower in fear nor be intimidated when you see the representatives of the law. You will also know when to speak up when laws are being amended that is in direct violation to this supreme law of Malaysia.
• If you are a parent with school-going kids, be an active partipant of the PIBG (Parents Teachers Association) and speak up when you see them enforcing laws that are not in line with the Federal Constitution or in violation of human rights.
• Donate to the party/candidate that you have confidence in. Volunteer to man the booths on Election Day. They need all the support they can get.
• Pray for our country and politicians – for wisdom, justice and integrity in ruling the nation. For strength to stand on what is just and good for the rakyat.

There are many other ways as well which you can add in the comments section if you like.

We all have a voice, let’s use it.

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