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!

One area Malaysians are better than Singaporeans

... it is GUTS.

While Malaysians showed up in great numbers (over 40,000) in our protest rally on the 10th November 2007, only a handful of Singaporeans showed up last weekend in their "Tak Boleh Tahan" rally. And these includes kids!



The handful of brave Singaporeans who protested. Stand up, stand up for Singapore?

As mentioned previously, SDP organised a protest rally on Saturday. But only a few turned up in RED while everyone else in Singapore is busy shopping. I guess either the majority aren't feeling the injustice or are just too apathetic to bother showing up.

If that is the state of democracy in Singapore (judging by the numbers), then I think Malaysians are so much more ahead of Singapore in this area.

Credits: Jinggo and pseudonymity Technorati Tags: Singapore Opposition, Rally, Malaysia vs Singapore, SDP, Bersih, Tak Boleh Tahan

Singapore also 'Tak Boleh Tahan'

Apparently our Singapore brothers are also fed up with the ruling party PAP. And SDP is organising a Protest Rally - asking everyone to wear RED.

Pseudonymity said:

"Our elderly poor continue to break their backs just to eke out a miserable existence. Many cannot even afford three square meals, some even having to live off scraps on hawker centre tables.

The PAP's young, arrogant, and heartless ministers then tell them that they should forget about retiring.

What about our workers? They are made to work harder and longer, and for less pay. Many of them have to sign contracts that don't allow medical leave, no bonuses, and demand 72-hour-work weeks.

They have no unions to speak for them as the NTUC is headed by a PAP minister.The problem is worsened by the indiscriminate taking in of foreign workers to compete with Singaporeans to suppress wages."

Despite all of this, the ministers brazenly help themselves to an 85 percent increase in salaries last year with the prime minister paying himself more than $300,000 a month!

The PAP is like a grotesque monkey on our backs, keeping Singaporeans bent and strangulated."

Sounds like a wave of unrest may rise from the south in Singapore. They have different issues from us, yet there is a sense that the majority are now fed up with Political Elitism, just like us.

When a government holds on to power for too long, like in Malaysia, it ends up self-serving and oppressive.

I suppose SDP is hoping that many Singaporeans will paint the city RED, just like we painted the streets of KL Yellow on 10 November.

As much as they are "Kiasu" (unwilling to lose) I hope they are not "Kiasi" (afraid to die). If their Kiasi-ness is greater than their yearning for change then, sorry-lah not many will show up in RED.