Polls A-Calling

Pakatan Rakyat this, Pakatan Rakyat that. Barisan this, Barisan that. Opposition this, Opposition that. Revelations this, revelations that. We're right, you're wrong. Conspiracy this, conspiracy that. Gatherings here, gatherings there. Tear gas here, tear gas there.

These are some of the words splashed across the mainstream media daily. Whether the internet, the age old newspapers, the idiot box or the radio. We have no choice but to see or listen to these words being bandied around as political parties and their supporters up their ante on campaigns as the polls loom closer around the corner (or at least that's what most of us think, although the last call for polls would be in March 2013).

Many of those well-meaning folks, would have adviced the young voters to register themselves as voters. The apathical young voters who have the influence and might to decide on governments. The ones who spend most of their waking hours on the internet, scouring the web for information relevant to their areas of interest. But one can't put aside the influential and formidable online news website : Malaysiakini, the select choice of news agency that's credited for being the more neutral and brave in putting forward their views on the local political scene.

Fence sitters are the bane of political parties. Either they're not interested in carrying out their patriotic duty for the country in ensuring their government of choice rules the motherland or they're still lounging in the thoughts that their will never amount to anything. Well, they must be told in no uncertain terms that every vote counts, as the battle against illegal voters is an uphill task, legitimised by a corrupt regime that strives to ensure it's political survival albeit against an uprising new tide of new generation of voters who're more vocal and dare to exhibit their thoughts and actions in the open arena.

While the youth are allowed to absorb the political news from both sides of the political divide, one must already have decided on which party he/she will vote for. Being pussy footed about this decision may cost the country another 5 years of political struggle as corruption and racial anarchy reigns supreme. It should be clear to the youths by now, which side is the more peaceful and forward looking, and potential choice of government for the next 5 years. There is no right or wrong party to support. Make the choice and openly support the side which has been chosen.

While youths may be the decision makers, those who have not cast their votes before, may also cost the future of the country. These potential voters, might not think that their votes will amount to much. However, it should be hammered into their grey matter, that every vote counts. They are potential kingmakers. Both these groups of potential voters are being reached by the agents from sides of the political divide. The youths being closely in touch with technology and information, are called upon to spread the word of truth against the lies and might of the great propaganda machines of the current leadership and convince their brethern to cast their votes when the time comes.

Whether a better government comes into rule or not, these group of potential voters must realise that's indirectly their fault for not performing their duty as permitted by law. The apathical voters must cast their doubts aside and make their choice so that their government of choice is given an opportunity to proof their administrative skills, in managing the country well and free from corruption so that the citizens are able to enjoy the benefits, funds which are apportioned from taxes on their incomes.

Spread the word and convince all voters and potential voters alike, to carry out their patriotic duty to protect and serve their country from further plunging economically into an abyss. Take a look at our closest neighbour down south and dream that one day, Malaysia, may achieve the prosperity and efficiency of a well managed country that rose from an island swamp. To a better world, Cheers!

Whither The End Of CNY Celebrations?

Year after year, moons after moons, the festivities of the annual Chinese or Lunar New Year are celebrated with laughter (could it be due to the large doses of alcoholic beverages?) and merriment the world over. Traditionally served by the Chinese culture, the festivities are celebrated by all, irrespective whether they are Buddhists or Christians, as it is fundamentally a cultural celebration. That's the greatness of being a Chinese, culture being one of the most important aspects.

During these festivities, family and friends join in to add to the laughter and merriment. Friends and acquitances vary in degree of bonding to oneself. Friends being those you can depend upon to provide a listening ear (not only to borrow money) when you're down. Friends being those who don't feel obliged to accompany you during your moments of sorrow or instances of happiness. Acquitances being those who give a myriad of excuses when you need their company the most. Acquitances being those who work great together but once out of the work environment, go far away to their own respective corners of the world to hibernate before the next work day arrives after a brief sojourn of a thousand jumping sheeps on the bed.

Family members are those connected by blood relations. A relation that cannot be spliced by choice. A relation that sticks together with you until the time you leave the earth for the heavens (if it exists). A relation that you cannot erase from the family tree. As they say, blood is thicker than water. Well, what do you expect? There's plenty of plasma and other components that makes the fluid of life what it is.

Lunar New Year celebrations begin with the receipt of red packets from your parents, relatives and friends when you're young and single. In the later stages of life when you're married, you're required to depart with cash to the younger ones who have not yet settled down. However, once you start having kids, you may 'recover' some of your dearly departed cash. That's how the world order works or at least how we make it out to be.

The crunch of life begins when you've arrived at mid-age. At this period of time, relatives may be 'going off' in a hurried manner as some may have reached their 60s or somewhere later than that. For some, relatives and friends could be departing to the netherworld earlier than expected. It is during the period of festivities that their presence could be sorely missed. At this point, we're rendered to moments of melancholy under the influence of the bright full moon.

In these moments of melancholy, we're driven back to the times when we were younger and everyone was very much alive. When we used to receive red packets after a handshake, wishing each other 'Happy New Year'. This 'period' of happiness often brings us back to the time when we were 15 years old or younger. When neither care or worry affected us, as we light up fireworks and firecrackers for once in a year.

There will come a time when we're truly bereft of the living aged ones who have accompanied us on our life journey. When that time comes, we will depend on the younger ones to humour and entertain us, as we march through this procession of Life. Having said that, cherish your moments of celebration for the new year as anything can happen before the next lunar new year arrives...