but the work has only just begun...
Yes, the election's over and Malaysia is waking up to a Tuesday morning minus the euphoria of Monday's landslide victory announcements. No need to make lengthy analyses as has been done quite competently elsewhere. The BN's won simply because we, the people of Malaysia, have believed in your sincerity, Pak Lah.
And now, the real work begins. As MPs and ADUNs bathe in the light of their 15 minutes of fame, they should do well to remember that they have been elected to represent the people: in Parliament, and in the various State Assemblies. In this regard, I find the Malay term Wakil Rakyat more descriptive than Member of Parliament.
While being an MP is being a member of arguably the most exclusive club in the country, it has its price. Instead of membership dues, as in other clubs, MPs have to work 24/7 to serve their constituents. And you jolly well better do. We didn't elect you, Yang Berhormat, to fart around in fancy offices or traipse around the country in fancy cars (read black Perdana V-6) to wheel-and-deal your way into becoming fat cats.
We elected you to serve us, your constituents.
If you don't, we'll kick you out in five years' time. And you may not even have that long. If Pak Lah's rhetoric isn't just that, the ACA (Anti-Corruption Agency) will get you. After all, the Prime Minister promised to stamp out corruption in public office and it wouldn't do to have you make a mockery of, what I truly believe are, his sincere intentions.
And if any of you MPs haven't the foggiest notion what the blazes your job entails, I suggest you read Chinua Achebe's A Man of the People and Things Fall Apart. If you can't read or write English, please learn. Fast.
If you aren't Internet savvy, get your children to teach you, and hang around your neighbourhood Internet cafe where, I might add, you'll find some of your under-18 constituents smoking. We're not going to waste half a day in the smoke-filled waiting room of your office to lodge a complaint about public services. We're going to email you, so you'd better give us your email addresses. Start a blog, so that we know what you've been up to. Transparency is key.
If you want to give us your handphone number so that we can SMS you, so much the better. I have two MP friends whose handphone numbers I know, so this is not pie-in-the-sky wishful thinking.
Pak Lah, please think carefully who you'd want in your cabinet. Malaysians are tired of seeing the same old weary faces for the past 20 years. As Asians, we've been hinting obliquely that these old-timer Ministers have gone well past their expiry date. Tapi dia orang masih lagi tak paham bahasa. We've just given you a mandate to start on a clean slate. Use it. Cull. Let's see some tanak vagu.
As for the UMNO elections in June, don't worry too much about this. Let the members decide with their vote. Your job is to make sure those elected deliver what is expected of them; or kick them out, just as you can with your cabinet and MPs.
We'll also be watching whether you give anyone close to you preferential treatment. The last thing we want to see is one bunch of cronies replaced by yet another.
With the sincerity we believe you have in your heart, and the resources of the country at your beck and call, Malaysians aren't expecting miracles. All we want is for those elected into power to wield it wisely, sincerely, and for the greater good.
Note
"Tanak vagu" is Kadazandusun for "anak baru" which interprets as "young blood," and not the more literal "new children."
Comments
"I'm almost 23 years of age now, but still didn't practice my rights to vote yet. But i have to admit, we and our country need a bunch of leaders yang berjiwa rakyat."
Sheilla Elliza
Kagoshima City, Japan
"The YB will soon be called Yang Berkhidmat..."
My Sanctuary
News Summaries (edited for clarity)
BN Will Be Strong Opposition In Kelantan, Says Mustapa
KOTA BAHARU, March 23 (Bernama) -- "Barisan Nasional (BN) will not disappoint the people of Kelantan," said State BN chairman Datuk Mustapa Mohamed.
Mustapa said that the party's elected representatives were directed to immediately meet the people and attend to their needs in order to garner more support.
DAP Candidates Who Lost Requested To Serve The Areas
IPOH, March 23 (Bernama) -- Commenting on the naming of the new Cabinet, Menteris Besar and Chief Ministers, DAP national chairman Lim Kit Siang, urged the Prime Minister to exclude those who were tainted with charges of corruption or had serious allegations of impropriety and abuse of power made against them.
Pak Lah Factor Main Reason For Success Of Barisan Nasional
KUALA LUMPUR, March 23 (Bernama) -- The "Pak Lah factor" was the main factor behind the Barisan Nasional's resounding success in Sunday's general election, former Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Musa Hitam said Tuesday.
The Prime Minister had represented a change in political and Government administrative culture, he said.
BN's Impressive Win Due To Abdullah's Credibility - Tajol Rosli
IPOH, March 22 (Bernama) -- Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali said the Barisan Nasional (BN)'s landslide victory was due to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's credentials and style.
He said the voters, especially the Malays, viewed Abdullah as an Islamic scholar and good administrator as well as pious and friendly.
"It was the Pak Lah factor that resulted in the big win," he said.
BN Victory Is A Nod For PM's Anti-Graft Drive
KUALA LUMPUR, March 22 (Bernama) --The resounding victory for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition suggests clear public approval of his moves to combat corruption and improve public service.
The clear mandate given to Pak Lah to pursue his anti-graft policy - if backed by further action - should improve the allocation of resources and looks positive for Malaysia's medium-term outlook, said Citigroup in a statement here Monday.
Three MIC Candidates Promise Efficient Service
SEREMBAN, March 22 (Bernama) -- Three MIC candidates who won their respective seats in Negri Sembilan have promised to provide efficient service to their constituents. MIC Secretary General S. Sothinathan said he would continue to work hard for the well being and development of the people.
Negri Sembilan MIC Chief Datuk T. Rajagopalu... promised efficient and satisfactory service to the people for giving him the mandate to serve them. "I'll not misplace the faith the people have in me," he said.
Dr L. Krishnan said he would continue the good work and development programmes initiated by his predecessor.
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