SEPT 17 — What have you done for Malaysia? That was exactly the question directed to me by a colleague when I started to voice out my distress at the current political situation in our country and the question was repeated when I expressed my disgust towards the ‘Himpunan Maruah Melayu’ or otherwise known as ‘Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu’ that took place yesterday.
The issue was whether I was entitled to comment since I have not been involved at the grassroot level, have never joined any political activities, have not yet volunteered to help the less fortunate and was not even a participant in either the Bersih 4.0 rally or the rally held yesterday.
Therefore, it seems just and logical that I might not have a proper understanding of what is actually going on and that only those who were involved in the political scene and who are actively present at the grassroot level are aware of the so called ‘true story’.
So who am I to question what benefit did they get from marching in KL under the hazy weather for a racially motivated event that serves no purpose other than to incite hatred and hostility amongst races?
Who am I to point out that any form of ‘oppression’ has actually been caused by the Malays towards the Malays?
Who am I to voice it out loud that we should stop blaming other races for their success and start looking at ourselves for our failure to compete?
Who am I to argue that the current system promotes the ‘tidak apa’ attitude and diminishes the incentive to strive for success?
Who am I to say that there should be a Malaysia for all, equality in every sense of the word?
What have I done for Malaysia to be able to have a say? My being a voter is not enough, they say. I should be involved. Help the less fortunate to pull my end of the bargain. “Then you know”.
Well my dear, lest we forget that Malaysia is a democratic country and quoting the late Abe Lincoln that “the ballot is stronger than the bullet”, I believe as a voter and as a citizen of a country that I love so dearly, I am entitled to voice out my worries and to question the direction that the country is heading.
I am entitled to demand for what I believe would promote a better Malaysia.
I, too, am entitled to criticise.
There should not be any deterrence from any party to keep anyone from speaking up just because in their opinion, they have not done enough for the country to be entitled to have an opinion.
It would be such a shame if any form of communication is simply brushed aside and deemed to be lacking in substance simply because they are not as involved in the community.
As Malaysia practices representative democracy, there is a reason why we have been repeatedly stressed to elect capable representatives to look after our best interests and to preserve our rights.
It is first and foremost the duty of the elected representatives to help the less fortunate, to come up with a policy that helps to eradicate poverty, to maintain a strong economy so that there will be an abundant of job opportunities.
They are to represent us mere citizens, some of whom are unable to be directly involved.
I urge that my fellow Gen Ys to continue be fearless in voicing out constructive criticisms and be undeterred in their quest for a better Malaysia, even if the only role that they play in it means exercising their rights to vote.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.
