What a time to be Malaysians!

May 8, 2013 - Kelana Jaya Stadium erupts.

Under the dark cloud of treachery and fraud, 200 thousand Malaysians brave the rain to stand shoulder to shoulder to declare our 'Merdeka' - freedom from racism, corruption, cronyism and ultimately freedom from fear. This was our baptism into a new nation.

I witnessed the largest crowd in a stadium. I have been to the MCG packed to the rafters with 100,000 people. I have heard the cheers of 100,000 fans in a footy game. But this was another level. It was easily 200,000 people. The noise level was deafening. In part due to the many vuvuzelas blasting away BN's ears. 

Young and old, from Johor to Kelantan and all proudly Malaysians. Flag waving, cheerful and hopeful. I could hardly hear the speeches. The speakers were mostly doing cheer leading than speaking with any meaning. No one cares. Everyone was hell bent on cheering and making noise. When it came time for Uncle Lim - the cheers went up a decibel. Then the crowd went goo goo when Anuar step up. I could not hear a word. 

I was close to 4 elderly gentlemen which i discovered by introduction to be from Kelantan. They drove all the way from Kelantan since 10am just to make it to the stadium. That's commitment. I wonder how many of us Selangor people would do the same if the venue was in JB for instance. I wonder if 200,000 of us would show up there. They will be making the journey home tonight. 

A few minutes before, a group of chinese fellas shook hands with these 4 elders and wanted to take pictures with them. It was then that I also discovered there are plenty of people who are there in the event not just to show solidarity to a cause but to take photos. Now, dont tell me this was never in your speculations before. I am merely expressing what i believe many could be wondering. I wonder about this because i know there are some who arent there to listen but mostly there to be in a carnival or party. Perhaps to be seen. Perhaps curious. Perhaps also make a point on FB, to show that they have friends from other races. I think in a historic event like this would attract all kinds of folks. Loud folks, crazy folks who are shouting UBAH and INIKALILAH every half a minute.

Then there were the multitude of youngsters. I asked a few of them whether they voted. Many said yes. I was glad. I am also a little envious. These young Malaysians are experiencing something we waited a long time.

The birth of a new Malaysian soul. 
An identity we could not really pin down for a long time. Is being a Malaysian just about enjoying food and eating great food? Or Is being Malaysian something deeper and more personal.

Those of us born years after the Merdeka from British Rule cannot really feel the comradeship of our forefathers. We knew nothing of their struggle together. We knew nothing of their fight against the Japanese or the British. Today, this season - Malaysians of all walks of life, are entering a new baptism. A baptism into a new nation.

The election was the doorway and the stadium, the cauldron. The soul of this nation is being molded in the black cauldron of fraud and foul play in the election and yet, hope and unity is being forged like a sword against a common enemy by our PR leaders into our core. Malaysians are becoming one in heart and soul.

What a time we live in. What a time to be Malaysians!

Blackout magic

Have I invested in Malaysia?

In the aftermath of EC's Blackout magic and announcement that snatched away the people's victory.

Soul searching starts not just with the PR but for each an every Malaysian who has hopes and dreams for a New Malaysia.

 For PR, even if all the disputed electorate were won, will they reach 122 seats? I doubt it. They fared so poorly in the Rural places by fielding mostly "parachute" leaders into these zones and the rural people rejected them. The Rural and Urban divides widens. Have PR invested enough in the rural places over the last 5 years? The results have not changed.

For us Malaysians who seek change and have dreams for a new Malaysia - have we invested ourselves in reaching the Rural heartlands - have we created business / job opportunities for our youth to work in their home towns and stay there to make a difference? Have we put our money to work in these places?

Winning the Urban places is also a given now, but winning the hearts and minds of the rural Malaysia - is not with propaganda or money. It's by investment of time and growing leaders from these places. Have we as new Malaysians given birth to new leaders in these heartlands?

That's the question i ask myself and my friends. If change is what we seek, we need to seek to change ourselves first and invest in change. Investment doesn't mean praying alone or giving money to ngos, church or political parties etc.

Will we as Malaysians with hearts full of dreams and fire, move to invest our time and money and business in creating jobs, business and educate the rural people in Malaysia? It is a fallacy to believe that just because of election fraud alone that we are robbed of change. I think we are robbed of change if we Malaysians don't change - if we don't invest in reducing the gap of rural and urban people. If we create business only in cities and towns. If we just give money to build bigger more comfortable churches. I am asking myself, have change really happen in me? Or it is just dreams and hopes. Dreams and hopes is still one leap away from change. That leap is making an investment.

 Have I done enough? Have i invested in Malaysia?