It's a jungle out there

That's what I'd describe politics in general.

In my previous post I spoke about being a supporter of the present government with reasons on why, and I stand by that declaration. Before you go 'How could you, they are all (insert expletives here) ', let me just mention that I am also a guy who don't believe in perfections, unless we're talking about God Himself.

I had my cousin whom is an avid supporter of the opposition party who'd like to compare what they are fighting for to the present managements (or mismanagements) of the government. He highlights why there must be change, that we need to fight for our rights, demand transparency in governance and neutral judiciaries.

Well, at least his referrals of URLs to the blogs of prominent political bloggers such as Raja Petra Kamaruddin and Jeff Ooi.

All good and sundry because I do agree with some of their views.

'Huh?' was one of the responses I get when, including a young friend of mine whom had just finished her examinations, also one who is full of ideals and enamoured by the fervour of the opposition, I told them that.

Yes, I do agree with the likes of Raja Petra and Jeff on some of their opinions.

One of the first reason to that statement is that the governance of the country is not dependent on who rules. Sounds fallacious? Not really. I'm just citing this on the grounds of the responsibilities of the Executive branch of the government - not the effectiveness of it. Who said anything about the report cards of the present government? If anything the people have the right to express their anger if all is not going well. After all it's the voters who got them into office in the first place.

'Transparent, fair and credible governance' - tell me something I don't already know.

The second reason is that all of them - be it ex-MBs, new MPs, this and that Minister, the Opposition etc - are all politicians.

I coined a sentence regarding the bickering between politicians that applies to both sides of the equation(don't know if it's original but Ive never read it anywhere else), "The election is fair and just if you win".

Politics is a game of power - to stay where you are, you will have to toe the party line, compromise to get what you need, appeal for support sometimes against your principles, accommodate ideas that you don't subscribe to and ultimately influence the people to vote for you.

To paraphrase an analogy I once read in the transcript to a popular political TV show The West Wing, nobody gets into politics wearing a white shirt and come out spotless. Fictional show I hear you say but there's a much truth in that statement than what the boisterous voices from the camp of 'Change' would like you to believe.

Anybody, the opposition and the present ruling party can tell me that they are this this and that - if making promises and repeating the same old phrases over and over can make you an MP, we'd all be representatives. Idealism is high and they're still on triumphant that a change is happening but things will come thumping back to Earth real soon.

The new CMs at Opposition-ruled states should stop talking about the transparency, fairness, equitable etc etc and start doing them - the campaigning is over, for chrissake. And the rest of the MPs in the Parliament should start behaving themselves in the august house and be more professional with their work as the people did not elect them there to engage in 'bodoh', 'kayu', 'bocor' and 'monyet' shout-fests.

I, for one, welcome the C-SPAN-like channel that is being mooted by Ministry of Information and the Parliament to let the people see for themselves the proceedings and make up their own minds on issues and let the MPs earn their salary. Saw a few of the sittings on terrestrial television in the past - I was (and still am) deeply embarrassed.

Try watching the US Congress in session or the British Parliament in session - if anything their questions and answers (however political) makes sense most of the time with supporting data and research to justify them. Rebuttals are themselves good and raises relevant questions.

In short, they know what they're talking about.

And that includes the opposition who claim themselves the champion of equal rights, credibility and fairness. There's a difference between promising things and doing them. For the moment I'd agree with a friend that they haven't had the chance to put the money where their mouth is since the Federal Government remained the same but five key States are now under Opposition rule. Start doing something and don't start talking about the Feds not allocating money - that's reserved for campaign runs.

It's only been more than a month since the previous General Elections that shook the foundations of the ruling coalition, so the dust had only begun to settle as the real politicking begins. With a slightly more balanced Parliament for this term, things are bound to be get more interesting ever since 1999 when the Reformasi movement were born.

As with the many of us outside of the corridor of power, we'll just sit back and watch with great interest.

And stop it with this Singapore comparison thingy. I have an acquaintance from the island republic who messaged me after following a little spat I have with a certain anti-government wind-up merchant on an Internet forum, saying that we're lucky to be able to actually oppose and speak up on our disagreements. Try that in Singapore and you'd be writing postcards from the lockup.

If anything, the true sign of political maturity is to be able to take both sides of the story and arrive at an informed decision of your own.

(In my case it might include "don't believe everything you hear in politics").

"Democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time".
- Winston Churchill -

Probably my last post on politics before I get labeled a political blogger - I'll leave that to the professionals at Malaysia Today and their counterparts.

The news today

After the recent General Elections on the 8th of March, I have returned to reading the national news all thanks to the 'political tsunami' that swept across the nation. I had always been an avid reader regardless of how biased the mainstream media had been accused of (with some truth of course), but mostly for the sports, entertainment & lifestyle, technology and international news.

Why not the local front?

I for one have no problems reading about a 'biased' paper, because I have always been a supporter of the present government. I grew up under the administration of the visionaryTun Dr Mahathir whom I still look upon with respect thanks to the years of unprecedented wealth, progress and development enjoyed by the country throughout his time as the Premier of the country.

As a normal rakyat, I don't care what bones the Opposition has to pick regarding his flaws and accused malpractices as the CEO of Malaysia Inc., I got everything I should - accomodation, food, education, job and entertainment under his rule. Of course he's not perfect but he's been a good servant to the country, regardless of the controversies.

Anyway, back to the story at hand.

I remarked to my friends that there has been a marked change of tone in the previously pro-government press. If anything, it's slowly moved slightly to the centre, allowing for more opposing views from the Opposition with all interviews, insights and news coverage for functions, talks et al.

I find this to be quite interesting rather than what got me to skip the home news sections in the past. The present government still make the headlines being that they're still the ruling administration of the nation, but by having feedback from the other corridor of power meant that things are no longer so simple.

With an almost 50-50 split in the highest lawmaking institution in the country, this is when the real politicking begins.

In 2004, it was just one voice talking, a bit of a mumble here and there, some sideshows in the form of 'bocor' and leaking Parliament House, otherwise it was pretty much a one man/party show.

Now in 2008, the voices numerous and are louder in the form of a larger Opposition and delightfully, from the other end as well.

I'd imagine this to be a good change towards a system closer to democracy where everybody speaks within their rights and not afraid to tackle the really difficult issues of judiciary reforms and administrative feedback with more watchdogs scrutinizing the implementation of Executive decisions from both sides.

This can only be a good thing.

As mentioned above I'm a supporter of the present government, yet I too am one who thinks absolute power is a big no-no. Checks and balances, the phrase of the month since the 8th of March, is a good thing. Petrol hikes, increase in food prices, crime, transportation etc, all are things that affect the average Ali, Ah Kau and Muthu on the streets, so having plenty of inputs from differing angles is a good thing.

And like it or not, the present government would need to buckle up and improve or have someone else come in and take their seats.

It's still not perfect though (nothing ever is), but it's a good start.

Poor in wealth, rich in heart

If anything, the story of the 10-year old who captured the imagination of the country certainly had me with mixed feelings.

At last the proper welfare had been secured for Yeap Jia Hui as his childless great aunt and uncle are awaiting the legal papers on taking him under the their care.

Before this he had to live by himself in a rubbish-filled apartment in Penang, living on the weekly money that his money banked for him in RM20 - 30 amounts whilst having to sleep in a space big enough for just his mattress, inhaling the stench of the place. When the money stopped, a Good Samaritan by the name of Lau gave him food when he was hungry although that had never stopped him from attending school, doing his homework and going out to play with his friends at a kampung behind the flat.

Part of me had tears welling in the eyes and lump in the throat thinking about the hardship that he had to go through with nobody to call for if trouble comes - fortunately enough the only problems he's had were dirty uniforms and cockroaches.

Children shouldn't have to live like this.

Part of me was proud of him as he's missed school understandably because nobody took care of him and yet absenteeism wasn't done because he felt like it. He was a winner of a few ping pong tourneys, a competitor in singing contests and a Boy Scout. He also consistently scored 90% and above in class although the grades dropped ever since his mother left him alone.

He lived like how a child should even when the odds were against him.

The more I read about it, the more I worry for the kids in my previous workplace who need not worry about pocket money and presents for birthdays. I don't blame them for being born into a fortunate family or implying that all are spoilt brats, but I do wish they can learn to be like this little soldier - humility and perseverance.

The story doesn't end here though as another family of children abandoned by their parents in Seremban had an 18-year old named Toh Chee How scraping to feed and house his siblings in a room no bigger than an average classroom. He insisted that he does not want to part with his five siblings and would continue to provide for them as the eldest. Again, another Good Samaritan helped by not collecting rent for their house when he found out about their plight.

Talk about being responsible. He's the unsung hero in a world dominated with Britney Spears gossip and more deaths in Iraq.

To the two good people, Lau and the owner of the rented house in Seremban, God never forget those who showed mercy to His children.