Do You Hear The People Sing?

On the morning of the 5th of May 2013, my parents and I rushed back to our hometown, Cameron Highlands so that both of them may fulfill their duties as rightful citizens of Malaysia by casting their vote for our country's 13th General Election. We reached Cameron Highlands in good time and I played a minor role by driving my parents to the polling station in Brinchang to vote.

Flash flood in Kampung Raja, Cameron Highlands
(pic courtesy of Roy Margaret)

The past week saw natural disasters in Cameron Highlands the like which we have not seen before: flash floods in Tanah Rata and Kampung Raja saw water levels rising to alarming levels and caused traffic to cease and houses to be filled with mud: the occasional landslide blinking warning signals that all is not well in Cameron Highlands. But Sunday saw perfect weather for the first time in the whole week. The sun shone brightly upon us as we made our way to the primary school and a cool breeze blew upon our faces as we walked, seeming to hint at winds of change coming our way.

Since I was legally still only 20 years old, I couldn't vote this year, along with many of my friends, but we made up for our lack of voting power by encouraging people to exercise their right to vote through our social networking sites. I felt that it was a personal duty to update my friends on facebook and twitter on the importance of voting and the changes that needed to be seen in this country of ours. And so I continuously updated news about the elections on my facebook and twitter as the day slowly turned to night.

At around 7pm, the results started streaming in from Sarawak and Sabah, followed by Peninsula Malaysia. I believe all Malaysians waited with bated breath for the official results hoping to see if a change in government would occur this time round. It was good to see the response on facebook and twitter as everybody was sharing news to one another regardless of race and religion. I still remember posting the official results for Cameron Highlands with DAP winning the state seat but MIC President g. Palanivel winning the Parliamentary seat. Dr Cheam May Choo, the only female and independent candidate lost the battle, but she did a great job bringing the environmental issues in Cameron Highlands to light and we hope to see her again in the next election.

Official results for GE13

Then, around 9pm, everything changed. The 5th of May 2013 marks the day we affirmed our suspicions that Barisan Nasional, the current ruling government, does not play fair in our country's elections. Earlier in the day, there were complaints of foreign immigrants going to polling stations to cast their vote, and there were also news of members of public arresting these foreigners to prevent them from voting. The indelible ink that was used during our elections were also found to be indelible, with many reporting that a good scrub with soap easily took the stain off. There were also allegations of 'phantom voters' and extra ballot boxes magically appearing after a sudden blackout at the polling stations.

It was then that we knew. It was all futile. The ruling government had not played fair this time round, just as they have not during past elections. I myself did not despise the people for voting for BN, I just despised BN for using dirty tactics and politics to brain-wash the people and pollute the electoral system. There was a sense of hopelessness and futility hanging in the air, and netizens decided to voice out by changing their profile pictures to be fully black in colour, as a sign of the death of democracy in our country.

Facebook users turn their profile black in solidarity mourning the death of democracyin Malaysia on the5th of May 2013

This solidarity on the internet was physically manifested when more than 100,000 people crowded the Kelana Jaya Stadium on the 8th of May to listen to speeches made by respected Opposition leaders such as Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Kit Siang, Mat Sabu and Nurul Izzah, but to name a few. It was an incredible sight, seeing the mass of black braving the rain and crowding into the stadium, Malaysians of all races, despite the racist comments made by the Prime Minister and a government-controlled newspaper: Utusan Melayu, saying that a Chinese Tsunami swept over the nation and damaged Barisan Nasional's chances of a clean sweep during this election.

The crowd at Stadium Kelana Jaya on the 8th of May 2013 (pic courtesy of Sidney Chan)

Looking over the stadium, one can see that all the races were well represented, and it was this feeling of togetherness, of standing shoulder to shoulder, all roaring in approval listening to the speeches, all wishing for the same thing: a change for Malaysia, that rendered moist eyes everywhere in the stadium when all, together as one, sang the National Anthem. It was exactly as the song 'Do You Hear The People Sing?' from Les Miserables when we sang Negaraku wholeheartedly together, knowing that there is a life about to start when to tomorrow comes. The period of mourning is over, and now the people must stand together and push for more transparency and accountability of this current government, at the same time supporting the Opposition so that there can be check and balance in Parliament.

#508 The true #1 Malaysia spirit that Najib have to understand. Apa lagi cina mau? We only demand a fair, bersih election, and the real 1Malaysia spirit that where we are united together as Malaysians
 #saynotoracism #malaysiantsunami
 (quote courtesy of Cheyanne Chan and pic courtesy of Russel Hong)