Malaysia Election Day in Penang

Malaysia Election Day in Penang

Early morning, 9 May 2018. As we sat down to breakfast on our patio, we were confronted by an amazing scene – hundreds of parked cars and motorcycles up and down our quiet street in Tanjung Bungah. Outside our gate were more cars in a congested snarl looking to move forward, backward or turn around. What was even more momentous were masses of people walking past our gate to the polling station at the end of our street. Above all commotion was a calm determination. It was eerily quiet, people were not talking, no car horns blaring, even the neighbour’s dog wasn’t barking. Men and women – many young, but my admiration was for the elderly, making their way uphill with the aid of walking sticks, walkers, and wheelchairs. The school soon saw long queues of people, with many voters standing for two hours or more in temperatures that soon rose to 32C.

The positive energy was palpable. Everyone fiercely focused. One intention: “I will make a difference.”

Yes, election day in Penang, voting in our street.

An election aggressively contested by two main parties. The ruling party, Barisan Nasional (BN), and Pakatan Harapan (PH). BN, with its power and ability, erected many a barrier, played many a trick to smear, thwart, hinder PH. And there was much name calling and blame from both parties.

Much to be admired, in spite of all the recriminations and bad-mouthing, the event was trouble-free. No ugly scenes, no riots, no burning or looting, no police intervention, no call for military support.

The night of the 9th and the early hours of the 10th saw Malaysians nervously watching the ballot counts creep up point by point for both parties, but when the points leaped up higher for PH than for the ruling BN, change became imminent anxiety increased, with the fear that Barisan Nasional might resort to more tricks to overcome their loss. Finally … victory for those who sought change: Pakatan Harapan. But it was still a matter of touch and go, waiting for the King to make a decision and announce the official choice.

At 5:30 in the evening on 10 May 2018, new Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir was sworn in.

Perhaps it was the promise to cancel the GST (Goods and Services Tax) by PH rather than the promise of free plastic bags by BN that won the day.

A new day and a new era.

A New Day

(photo: Ong Joon Kwang)

More than 15 years ago, authoritarian mistakes were made. Here’s hoping lessons learned will lead to mellower and wiser decisions. Seniority and a desire for a stable legacy will help towards leaving a clean Malaysia in the hands of a younger generation.

Except for the Orang Asli, everyone in Malaysia is a settler or an immigrant. Malaysians comprise of generations of three major ethnic groups: Malays, Chinese and Indians. Their languages, ethnic cultures, traditions and histories, going back centuries, have made this  country what it is today – a peaceful nation. A nation of astute, kind, generous and forgiving people.

To move forward, more hard work and determination will be needed from its citizens. Courage, too, to monitor the leaders and help them remember their pre-election promises. This is no time for people to fall back into complacency, thinking all is fine. As each individual voted to bring about this new government, so each individual must now help support the government in remaining committed.

There is going to be a new kind of change, a new Reformasi, and it is up to each citizen to make it happen.

Dear Dr. Mahathir Mohamed – Malaysia Boleh … again.