Reading about 89-year-old Maimun Yusuf, the oldest candidate for the coming general election this Saturday (March 8, 2008) brought tears to my eyes. Here I am hitting mid-life soon and quite in despair whenever I think about the state of the government, the judiciary system, the police, the press etc, and there, out there, is Nenek Maimun, a gutsy woman in her sunset years, who will not give up hope in bringing change and she had attempted to do that five times! She can get whatever help she needs from Umno or PAS, but no, she decides to get straight into parliament herself. Is her action saying something about the two parties? Does she represent the actual voice of the grassroots, whose needs are not represented by the present political parties?
People may not take her seriously, but I must say, if voters are smart and want to say they have had enough of Umno’s chauvinism and cronyism, and PAS’ ultra-Islamic approach, this is the chance to vote for her. The silent majority has a voice of its own and more often than not, they do not want Umno or PAS. Perhaps this is something that independent candidates can fill in? And there are many independent candidates fielded for this general election – in all states in Peninsular Malaysia except for Johor and Malacca. Likewise, people from the grassroots who have spoken up or work hard for the community at their own time, and now want to bring legislative changes, are the best candidates to vote for because these are the real “servants.” These people are such as Jeff Ooi, Charles Santiago, Edward Lee, Prof Ramasamy, Loh Gwo-Burne and Elizabeth Wong Keat Ping and I am sure there are many more in other states.
I am encouraged by Nenek Maimun's determination and the many ordinary people's efforts who have stepped forward and spoken up against injustice and corruption. The world is not all made up of shades of grey after all.
On Chandra, it reflects really bad on him to lash out at his enemy (Anwar Ibrahim) at such a time (http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/79237). Here’s a thought for our reflection:
You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors (corrupt officials) doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even the pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5: 43-48
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