ELECTION THEN AND NOW

Malaysia just concluded her 13th General election. In all my years of experience in national elections, this was the most fiercely contested. The streets were lined with so much colorful banners and flags of different political parties.

    

  

People were very 'involved'. Everywhere we went - jogging, marketing, coffee shops, church, people were sharing the latest information about the different political parties and their candidates and trying to persuade their friends to vote for their favourite candidate........The aftermath is jubilation for the winners and despondence for those who failed to clinch the necessary votes. 

Before the D day, there were many rallies and speeches. Dad and I attended one that was held in Putera Ballroon - in Tun Fuad Park. Frankly I find the speeches rather uninspiring. I remember when I was just a young girl ( probably in primary 5), I attended an election rally held near my old home.The stage was just on the back of a lorry. Colorful banners draped over the lorry. It was the opposition party - a socialist party. The speeches were fiery as the speakers 'hamtam' the government of the day. Then another speaker came up to speak and he seemed to have problems with the microphone. His comrade came and gave him another microphone - told him that the one in his hand didn't work. The speaker seemed pissed off and there was a bit of exchange of words between him and his comrade.  Finally the speaker came and apologised to the crowd and explained : " Kawan saya kata microphone itu tak boleh guna lagi. Kalau tak boleh  guna lagi, tukarlah satu yang baru. Buang it yang tak guna. Begitu dengan kerajaan yang tak guna, tukarlah! TUKARLAH!" The crowd roared in appreciation. I was impressed as I realised that they were enacting a mini drama. My father of course, was a staunch MCA man and soon, someone was sent to drag me away from the rally. I was expressly warned not to attend any of those rallies anymore.

I also recall the exciting local council  elections. read more about it here..Local Council election  

Politicians today could learn a thing or two from the old timers on how to retire gracefully.There was a particular local election - another man wanted so badly to stand as council chairman. He approached my father and asked father not to stand against him. He knew he would not stand a chance against my father. Father graciously withdrew his candidacy. My mother was skeptical, "Are you really not going to stand for election this time?  Can Ah Ping do a good job as council chairman?" Father's response was, " Give him a chance. If he can't do a good job, people will  vote him out the next time." Sure enough, the next election, father was re-elected as council chairman.