POST ELECTIONS

OK. I know every Mary, Ann and Jane (as in Tom, Dick and Harry) have said their piece regarding Malaysia’s 12th general elections. There was much I wanted to say, especially during the campaign period, but was feeling apprehensive about what I had to say. In case I worded my post wrongly, I may be sued by the candidates!

Ever since I became aware of Malaysian politics, several things were very apparent. Most candidates come looking for us, the voters, only during the campaign period. After voting them in, it is we who have to make appointments to see them. They don’t seem to have much time for the people who put them in their Parliament seat or the state assembly seat. In Parliament, many seem to ‘wakil diri’ rather than ‘wakil rakyat’.

It is also during the campaign period when much is said about unity and harmony among the races. How the candidates are there to serve the public and not any one race. After the elections, it is all back to race-based political parties. It is during this time that much gets done in constituencies – roads are retarred, drains are cleaned, squatters get keys to new homes, abandoned projects and public’s complaints get attended to, etc.,etc.,etc. For this reason alone, I wish elections were held every year. Then, we, the rakyat will get our candidates attention more often.

In fact I have always felt the best thing that could happen to a constituency is the death of the elected representative! Don’t brand me cruel or nasty. Everyone can see how ALL ATTENTION is focused on the area that is having a by-election. The Ijok by-election last year was an excellent example. So much money was pumped in to improve the area and the people’s life just to win their votes. We read about how women who didn’t know how to sew were given sewing machines! Just imagine if such a tragedy were to occur once a month in the constituencies, one by one, a by-election every month will bring so much development to that area.

However my opinion has changed after the March 8th elections. It has been more then a month since the election, but our elected representatives are still so concerned for the electorate! They are stll actively trying to resolve issues important to us! Isn’t that wonderful? Will the people be the focus of our elected reps for the next 4 – 5 years? Wow! No wonder most developed countries have 2 parties system OR are the countries more developed BECAUSE they have the 2 party systems???