| | i just got back from a Discipleship Group dinner in this place called Eastern Delight, the steamboat porridge was not bad i'd say, better than what i've tasted previously in Bukit Manjalara area.
the fellowship was great, especially since i've been away for a while...i didn't even know that one of my dg mates is pregnant! we plan to go play futsal too.
i just returned from penang over the weekend, i had a great time there, although my gf was busy with work, but i managed to get down to some serious studying...the gruelling CFA syllabus this time is really getting tougher...more technical, more investment theories to grasp. but i must say that i enjoy wat i am learning...
i also did a lot of reading up on the local political scene, especially in the weeks running up to the recent by-election.
BN may have won, but it is nothing for them to be proud of...the majority may have been bigger, but they only increased their majority by a mere 200+ votes, despite having thrown so much 'election' money to develop the area in order to cajole the residents of Ijok into voting for BN...to me, on principle, this is the unfair allocation of capital resources to gain a non-justifiable leverage over the weaker opposition.
i liked it when one political blogger termed the fight as Brazil v Malaysia...the mainstrean media is painting a rosy picture for BN, as if they had won the opposition by 10-0, but in fact it was only 1-0, considering that the campaigning saw many heavy-handed tactics being employed by BN...yes, both sides engaged in personal character assasinations, and in having their share of rhetoric and political speeches, but the use by BN of government resources, and the intimidation of locals, the biased attitude of the police in closing down opposition ceramahs, the aggression of the BN Youth, phantom voters, missing ballot papers, the manipulation of the mainstream media, and yet, the BN only increased their majority by a small amount. in fact, the higher turnout on polling day accounts for the increased BN majority as mentioned by malaysiakini...in fact, in absolute terms, more people voted for both BN and PKR, which shows that as a whole, more people actually voted against BN. this should send a strong signal to the government.
it would be especially fatal for MCA to ignore the results, as the chinese areas of Ijok voted for the opposition, the indians showed their unswerving or blind loyalty to the MIC, the segment of the malay population voted for the opposition...
our elections are far from free and fair, since we have a toothless Elections Commission. and the story goes on and on...i strongly disagree with people who tell me that there is no point fighting to change the system, for me, it is a surrender of values, a surrender to corruption, and a lack of political will to face the challenges, it tantamounts to a retreat...such attitudes are dangerous, it speaks of complacency...what do you stand for?
i have yet to articulate my thoughts, but i am confident that there is a case for malaysians regardless of race, to challenge the system...we need a stronger representation in government, we need better checks and balances, and we definitely need to pressure the government into implementing bodies and policies that ensure more accountability, transparency and good governance...the government has to set a good example...
this is my prayer, my hope...for a better governed Malaysia...and for Malaysians to have more awareness and concern for the system we are a part of.
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| | Posted 4/30/2007 3:40 PM - 1 view - 0 comments
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