[feeling | hopeful]

The year 2008 is indeed a special year, we were first greeted by one of the most humiliating sex scandal early this year, followed by some unintellectual propaganda by the once dominating political party and just a few days ago a huge wave of tsunami sweeping across the 329,750 sq km of land. Some are happy while some are sad with the election result, nonetheless life goes on.

I want to voice out my opinion here so badly, but I need to do it in a moderate way because I am bound by this AUKU act, I am still a student mind you. If you would want me to answer you which political party will I support, I will tell you I am going to support those who fight for the interest of people and not for the sake of their own self. I will lend my support to those who are wise and intellectual but not those monkeys. I will vote for those who walk the talk and not those who talk and talk.

My vote which will be casted sacredly in another five years time will depend very much on whether will the present elected government show any significant progress in the following agendas:

1. Build a Malaysia for Malaysian brand irrespective of races, religions, ethnics or gender. This should be done by eliminating the one-race dominant scenario in sectors like civil service, education (especially in Universities) and etc.

2. Abolish the Akta Universiti dan Kolej Universiti 1971 (AUKU) (Download in pdf) in order to create a pool of matured undergraduates hence citizens who are more political-minded and are able to speak up for the interest of the country. Furthermore, academicians are allowed to voice their concerns regarding certain government policies which in their opinion does not benefit the country.

3. Review the New Economic Policy (Wikipedia: NEP) which has thus far, in my opinion, not only benefited certain group of people only but also created unequal distribution of wealth. The rich are getting richer while the poor are still poor irrespective of races. NEP is a very divisive instrument and race-based affirmative action that will jeopardise our economic growth and social cohesion (Quote by Dr. Lim Teck Ghee)

4. A more open media and not government-controlled media. A big portion in the country’s demographic goes to the educated citizens and professionals. We know how to think, analyze and differentiate what is right and wrong. There’s no point in telling us things we found unconvincing as we are a group of people who thirst for knowledge and truth (transparency).

5. We deserves explanations and answers to some of the issues covered up by our previous elected government, particularly (i) the denial of the ASLI-CPPS’s report on the findings of  Bumiputra’s equity share, (ii) Lingam brokering judicial appointments, and (iii) Altantunya Shariibuu’s murder case.

6. Explanations on (i) the huge foreign labours influx to our country, (ii) why Malaysia breed a lot of professionals but ending most of them being taken by other countries, (iii) why most Sarawakians are reluctant to return to their own State, and (iv) you can name it in the comment section.

7. Uphold Rukunegara (Wikipedia: National Principles):

Kepercayaan kepada Tuhan (Belief in God)
Kesetiaan kepada Raja dan Negara (Loyalty to King and Country)
Keluhuran Perlembagaan (The Supremacy of the Constitution)
Kedaulatan Undang-undang (The Rule of Law)
Kesopanan dan Kesusilaan (Courtesy and Morality)

8. Freedom to embrace one’s faith particularly in the use of certain terminology or words by Christians (Our faith, Our freedom). Don’t take away temples or churches anymore. Speedy approval for building of churches and temples especially when they promote unity.

Of course being a civil engineer myself, I would want development too! No development means no job for me. One thing to take into our consideration when developing the country is that we don’t just build roads, buildings, factories, dams, and at the same time bringing massive degradation to the environment. I hope those relevant ministries and authorities will put in extra effort to improve the current state of the environment in our country. Our rivers are brownish and they stink! Our drains are blocked! Our streets are littered!