My e-mail in box has been assailed with numerous messages from countless concerned Malaysians telling me who I should or should not be voting for.

I’m really amazed to discover that we have many brilliant citizens out there who have taken the time and trouble to gather data and figures in terms of the socio-economic and financial standings of each religious and ethnic group in the country.

These groups have proven to be more efficient than all the government agencies put together in providing the most up-to-date information.

Apparently we have such hard working, meticulous persons in our midst, who are fully aware of what is going on in every nook and corner in the country. Now if only these people had come to the forefront and offered themselves as candidates for the elections, then I would most certainly have voted for them.

Based on their information, it would appear that the ruling party had not being doing such a great job – hence the call for a change. But at the same time, I also noticed that no information was forthcoming about the other parties that had won parliamentary and state seats. It would have been of great help if they had listed down all the wonderful things that the Opposition had done in their respective constituencies as opposed to the ruling party.

I have also received e-mails urging me to vote for anyone else as long as it was not BN. Now wait a minute – aren’t we coming back to square one? If I was going to vote for just any Ali, Ah Chong or Muthu, what guarantee is there that this person, when he wins is going to be any better than the person who held this seat before him?

Yes, it’s a gamble we take when we mark the ‘X’ on the balloting paper. Someone who promises to fight for a certain cause/ethnic group in his election campaign may not end up fulfilling his promise. There is no guarantee and unfortunately there is no law that holds him to his numerous promises.

Our duties do not end at the polling station. We the people have the right to ensure that our elected representatives fulfil their obligations during their five-year term. We must act as their voice of conscience and ensure that there are checks and balances. If we wash our hands and take on a tidak apa attitude or tell ourselves that there is not going to be a change, then there will be no change.

I fully agree with the American critic, Alexander Woolcott who said, “I’m tired of hearing it said that democracy doesn’t work. Of course it doesn’t work. We are supposed to work it”.

Patricia Pereira
Kuala Lumpur

Source: The Sun – February 26, 2008