MAY 1 – People were rightly scornful of the series of print
advertisements by MCA. Just like the false threats that spewed from the
lips of our Prime Minister and his minions at their ceramahs. It is
obvious that all these fear-mongering tactics are in the hopes of
subduing and frightening a nation that is hopeful for a new dawn.
But I am not afraid of the possibility of hudud. Instead, I am afraid
that our young Malaysians will grow up without being properly taught to
think, or speak, or debate. I am afraid they will, one day, have no
choice but to leave the country because they are unable to find a better
job, or a place in university.
I am not afraid that my right to enjoy a drink with friends will be
curtailed. I am afraid for my dad every time he takes our dog out for a
walk. I am afraid for my female friends every time we say goodnight and
walk back to our own cars. I am afraid for my aunts, uncles, cousins,
neighbours, and everyone else, every night even after we’ve locked our
doors, turned on the alarm and imprisoned ourselves in our homes.
I am not afraid that my church will be forced to close by PAS. I am
afraid that our children will one day think it’s ok to tell their
non-Malay friends to “balik Cina” or “balik India” because they saw or
heard adults screaming it. I am afraid that more people will think it’s
ok to insult other religions because our Home Minister defended a few
that did.
I am not afraid that I won’t be able to have my hair cut by a male
hairdresser. I am afraid that my gay friends will be beaten up when they
walk outside tomorrow, because the government of today is spreading and
inciting the message that being gay is a sin or a disease.
I am not afraid of the possibility of another May 13 if Barisan
Nasional loses. I am afraid that my friends will get hurt when they
attend Opposition ceramahs that are disrupted by paid gangsters and Mat
Rempits. I am afraid for the many prisoners in police or MACC’s custody
who are tortured, beaten and who lose their lives while in the hands of
the very people who should be protecting us.
I am not afraid that our country’s economy will plunge when the
Opposition takes over as government. I am afraid that my EPF savings are
being drained and sucked dry to bail out GLC failure after GLC failure.
I am afraid that my tax money is being used to pay for RM500 spanners
which actually cost RM10. I am afraid that our countrymen are being
forced to pay higher tolls, higher electricity bills and suffer water
shortages just because Barisan Nasional’s cronies are not getting enough
millions and billions. I afraid for the indigenous people of Sabah and
Sarawak who are laughed at as their lands are stolen from right under
their feet.
I am not afraid of what may be, or of the false threats by Barisan Nasional which are an insult to our maturity as Malaysians.
But I am afraid for the many crimes that are already happening. I am
afraid of the social injustices that have already happened. The longer
Barisan Nasional stays in power, the more they will steal and plunder
from our country and its people. The more they cling on to the last
vestige of governance, the more our people will suffer, the higher cost
of living will climb, the greater the corruption and abuses, the greater
the failure of our country.
These are my fears. These are the real fears of the people. These are
the issues that people feel strongly about. And if you were to get off
your arrogant high horses and actually think about us, the people,
instead of yourselves, you’d know our fears too – I’m voting for a
government that does.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and
does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.
(From The Malaysian Insider)
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