Malayan Election to local councils was first held in 1952, and in 1955 another election was held for a new legislative council; opening the new era for democracy. As early as 1948, the British promised independence, with a proviso what they termed a “period of preparation.” High spirits filled the air as the need to self-rule our very own motherland after more than 500 years under the colonial powers. While the skeptics were pessimistic of the outcomes, the spirits of PILIHAN RAYA reverberate in towns and villages all over the Peninsular. Political campaign as well educating citizen of their rights to vote took the once tranquil society on the march to nationhood. Radio Malaya ceaselessly aired broadcast reminders of the auspicious day through especially composed tune MARI MENGUNDI sung by Zainal Alam a renowned broadcaster. We were all jolted by the punchy tune and the expressive and persuasive jingle:
“Undilah tuan dan puan,
Duapuluh Tujuh Haribulan,
Pilihanraya yang pertama,
Marilah, undilah bersama-sama.”
It was one of those enlightening tune easily sung by most, young and old…not forgetting kids like us. I was a young lad then, a student in a Government English School. Till this day ( five decades later) the tune reverberate in my mind when at 12.43 PM on the 13th February 2008, my daughter Hazleen SMS me from RTM News Room where she worked, on the (Embargoed News) that our beloved PM Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dissolving Parliament to pave way for the country’s 12th General Election to be held on the 8th.March 08.
Reminiscences of PILIHANRAYA UMUM (PBU) rejuvenates an old man’s memories way back to the period of the threshold of an independent nation that we should be all proud of.
The country was in turmoil since the landing of the invading Japanese Forces in 1941 followed by communist terrorist insurgence, causing instability to a weak nation. Under those circumstances, along the years life was hard for most, though the country was the world exporter of copra, rubber and tin. The upheavals resulting in unstable nation. The country had to strive to fend itself economically as well guaranteed security and stability to enhance social democracy. It was a hideous struggle for all – the government as well peace loving citizens. The Communist Ideologies opposed social realism advocated by our Independent Fathers as a far cry from the reality of social democracy in Malaya then. They demanded the right to rule by instigating the people to join their struggles. They had nationwide and outside influences. They were terrorist and sympathizers around us and in our midst. They create havoc and terrorized the nation.
A state of emergency was declared as of 1948. The British Government Administration alongside local vigilantes fought those terrorists’ untoward provocations. The country was dragged into a long civil war against terrorism.
The fight for self rules continued. We are lucky that our Independence Fathers choose the right ideological path, as we are now a democratic free nation of the world.
31st August 1957 was the historic date. 31st August 1957 was our Independence Day.
The post Merdeka era, saw massive social and economic developments to the country. We strived to be a fully-fledged nation. Federation Malaysia was formed in 1963. Together we built the country into a prosperous nation. We advocated peace and harmony among nations. After 50 years Merdeka the country progresses by leaps and bounds. Malaysia a model for under-developed and developing nations of the world for the continuous peace and progress it has achieved over the last 5 decades.
We are proud that Malaysian as a nation was built on high human values of truth, integrity, honesty, justice, equality and freedom. The nation survives because we respected each other truthfully. We are a nation of multicultural, multi religious and multi ethnic. Together we integrate as Malaysians. Together we built this nation, we enriched our national culture, we advocate perseverance for a just society and believed in God.
Elections meaning tracking and taking stock on societal political maturity as well enlivened democracy to the fullest. Democracy advocates the freedom of speech, choice and the right to a self government - ‘of the people by the people for the people.’ Democracy would be at well work, if and when all eligible citizens exercise their rights freely and fully without fear or favors.
Needless to say come the 12th PBU and after 50 years of self-ruled, the physical development the nation has achieved has completely blinded some immature political leadership. Elected representatives known to have more time pursuing their self esteem rather than servicing their electorate. As a result they lack empathy on people’s need as championed by their fore bearers. It affected the trust of the electorates. As a result citizen’s right of democratic freedom as a whole at stake. Greed breeds contempt. Some deliberately demanded for their right. Others deceitfully challenged the democratic process for their very own political agenda. The once self proclaimed town criers positioned themselves as self styled champions of the people. Their political campaigns ruthlessly fused with hatred. They confused the electorates with claims of the nonexistence of established democracy for a just society, breeding political divide amongst nation. Preposterous prepositions by some political leaders resulting on hardcore political aspirants resorting to unlawful tactics to garner supports. Rampant money politics breeds greedy hypocrite amongst bystanders. Money talks and empty promises, erroneous and unjust political manifestos could easily swayed weak electorates.
At the end of the day, for right or wrong, it’s the people’s choice. Democratic government prevails on citizen collective preferences. Democracy works well if and when all deserving citizens rightfully exercise their rights.
Will you?
“Undilah tuan dan puan,
Duapuluh Tujuh Haribulan,
Pilihanraya yang pertama,
Marilah, undilah bersama-sama.”
It was one of those enlightening tune easily sung by most, young and old…not forgetting kids like us. I was a young lad then, a student in a Government English School. Till this day ( five decades later) the tune reverberate in my mind when at 12.43 PM on the 13th February 2008, my daughter Hazleen SMS me from RTM News Room where she worked, on the (Embargoed News) that our beloved PM Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dissolving Parliament to pave way for the country’s 12th General Election to be held on the 8th.March 08.
Reminiscences of PILIHANRAYA UMUM (PBU) rejuvenates an old man’s memories way back to the period of the threshold of an independent nation that we should be all proud of.
The country was in turmoil since the landing of the invading Japanese Forces in 1941 followed by communist terrorist insurgence, causing instability to a weak nation. Under those circumstances, along the years life was hard for most, though the country was the world exporter of copra, rubber and tin. The upheavals resulting in unstable nation. The country had to strive to fend itself economically as well guaranteed security and stability to enhance social democracy. It was a hideous struggle for all – the government as well peace loving citizens. The Communist Ideologies opposed social realism advocated by our Independent Fathers as a far cry from the reality of social democracy in Malaya then. They demanded the right to rule by instigating the people to join their struggles. They had nationwide and outside influences. They were terrorist and sympathizers around us and in our midst. They create havoc and terrorized the nation.
A state of emergency was declared as of 1948. The British Government Administration alongside local vigilantes fought those terrorists’ untoward provocations. The country was dragged into a long civil war against terrorism.
The fight for self rules continued. We are lucky that our Independence Fathers choose the right ideological path, as we are now a democratic free nation of the world.
31st August 1957 was the historic date. 31st August 1957 was our Independence Day.
The post Merdeka era, saw massive social and economic developments to the country. We strived to be a fully-fledged nation. Federation Malaysia was formed in 1963. Together we built the country into a prosperous nation. We advocated peace and harmony among nations. After 50 years Merdeka the country progresses by leaps and bounds. Malaysia a model for under-developed and developing nations of the world for the continuous peace and progress it has achieved over the last 5 decades.
We are proud that Malaysian as a nation was built on high human values of truth, integrity, honesty, justice, equality and freedom. The nation survives because we respected each other truthfully. We are a nation of multicultural, multi religious and multi ethnic. Together we integrate as Malaysians. Together we built this nation, we enriched our national culture, we advocate perseverance for a just society and believed in God.
Elections meaning tracking and taking stock on societal political maturity as well enlivened democracy to the fullest. Democracy advocates the freedom of speech, choice and the right to a self government - ‘of the people by the people for the people.’ Democracy would be at well work, if and when all eligible citizens exercise their rights freely and fully without fear or favors.
Needless to say come the 12th PBU and after 50 years of self-ruled, the physical development the nation has achieved has completely blinded some immature political leadership. Elected representatives known to have more time pursuing their self esteem rather than servicing their electorate. As a result they lack empathy on people’s need as championed by their fore bearers. It affected the trust of the electorates. As a result citizen’s right of democratic freedom as a whole at stake. Greed breeds contempt. Some deliberately demanded for their right. Others deceitfully challenged the democratic process for their very own political agenda. The once self proclaimed town criers positioned themselves as self styled champions of the people. Their political campaigns ruthlessly fused with hatred. They confused the electorates with claims of the nonexistence of established democracy for a just society, breeding political divide amongst nation. Preposterous prepositions by some political leaders resulting on hardcore political aspirants resorting to unlawful tactics to garner supports. Rampant money politics breeds greedy hypocrite amongst bystanders. Money talks and empty promises, erroneous and unjust political manifestos could easily swayed weak electorates.
At the end of the day, for right or wrong, it’s the people’s choice. Democratic government prevails on citizen collective preferences. Democracy works well if and when all deserving citizens rightfully exercise their rights.
Will you?
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4 comments:
PRU12 result was a set back for BN.This is the 2nd General Election for the 5th Prime Minister YAB Dato'Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawai. Pressure is on him to step down. Penang,Kedah,Perak & Selangor state governments won by the oppositions besides BN efford to recapture Kelantan from PAS backfired. BN also failed to garner mandatory majority in the Federal Cabinet. Part of the blame was on complency in BN party leadership and political infightings within the BN component parties.Some pundits descrived the unexpected result as a protest votes from the electorates.
rasanya akan ada clash of thoughts betwn the generation in K7, wht say u babah?
let me start the ball rolling, for me the next challenge adalh bagi yg tak pernah berkuasa, bagaimana agaknya lagak n lenggoknya bila baru merasa kuasa;
dan bagi yg tak pernah jatuh, bagaimana langkah-langkah mulanya untuk mula brtateh n brjalan kembali utk bangun kembali
2 soalan yang pertinent: lagak n lenggok yang baru pegang kuasa vs yang jatuh ditimpa tangga. Sukar untuk di analisa. Yang penting sikap Ketuanan yang terbina dan dilaksana oleh pemimpin lama atau yang baru. Melayu dan rakyat Malaysia, terkenal dengan sikap berbudi bahasa murni. Angkoh, takbur dan bongkak tidak akan menyokongan kepimpinan sasaorang itu sama ada dia dari BN,PKR,DAP,PAS atau lain-lain. Karisma saorang pemimpin,letak pada daya kempiminan yang luhur dan saksama. Skrg ni jelas rakyat di racuni sikap anti-social dari kebanyakkan pemimpin tanah air. You name them, and they are no different from one another. Kepada siapa rakyat boleh letakkan kesetiaan mereka? Nil. Nobody worthy of their prolonged support. Jadi mereka gunakan 'KUASA DITANGAN ANDA'waktu buang undi. Mereka pilih pemimpin ikut sedap rasa, sebagai satu escapism semata-mata, ala orang taksub tengok wayang hindustan: walaupun ta'faham bahasa Hindi, mereka terpikat pada keresahan, keperitan Si Miskin di inaya SI KAYA. Munkin clash of tought dalam generation sekarang, didorong sifat escapism saperti yang dimaksudkan.
Politik adalah perjuangan. Tiap perjuangan politik sasaorang itu, mesti tegak pada prinsip-prinsip asas politi yang telah berakar umbi pada keyakinan diri peribadinya,tidak akan rundup di tiup angin perubahan masa yang meniupkan ideologi baru. Perjuangan politik bukan perjuangan ikut-ikutan. Wallahualam.
I prayed to Allah the new Government be it State or Federal would fullfill the basic concept of democracy i.e The Government Of The People and For The People. Jangan dok asyek nak isi poket demo aje. Lihatlah keliling, bagaimana kaya rayanya kebanyakkan mereka sama-ada mereka itu Setia Usaha Politik,Wakil Rakyat, Setia Usaha Parlimen, Tim.Menteri dan Menteri-Menteri. Banyak yang tiba-tiba jadi kaya raya, punya kediaman ala istana raja. Bunglow dua tingkat kini dianggap biasa, dijadikan 3 tingkat sesuai kedudukan taraf keluarga. Rumah setingkat di cabut akar umbinya dan di bina samula dengan belanja berjuta. Bintang Kebesaran perlu disematkan kedada. Ada yang benar-benar berjasa, tidak kurang yang gunakan kesempatan untuk kepentingan sendiri. Baru masuk sehari dua dalam politik dan pegang jawatan penting dalam party mula melobi gelaran dan bintang kemasyhuran kerajaan Negeri.Secara langsung kedudukan mereka perlu di lonjak pada satu tahaf kasta yang baru. Mereka anggap diri mereka ketahap dewa yang perlu dipuja rakyat. Rayat 'grassroot' masih tetap di tahaf marhain, berguna hanya apabila diadakan PBU. Bagitu adanya. Maaf jika menyinggung sesiapa.
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