When People Are Seeking Change

A Kelantanese friend told me that soon we might not be able to see the "White House" in Kota Bharu any more.

I asked her why. She said with the election of Barack Obama as the new US president, the "White House" might soon become the "Black House."

Of course, this "White House" in KB is not the official residence of the US president, but a very well known and popular coffee joint in town.

As a matter of fact, I could understand what my friend was trying to say. The victory of Barack Obama has a far and wide bearing on the entire globe, Malaysia not spared.

The election of Barack Obama shows that most Americans have wanted a broad-based change. And that kind of yearning for change does not happen only in the US, but Malaysia as well.

After taking office on 20 January, Obama's prime task will be to fix the bruised US economy. Obama also plans to annul several measures and orders put in place by the Bush administration such as those involving embryonic stem cell researches, climatic changes and a host of other areas. But it remains to be seen whether Obama is able to rectify the capitalist policies that have largely attributed to the current financial turmoil.

In addition, it is noteworthy that Obama is in the midst of forming a cross-party cabinet that will include some of the most capable professionals from both the Democrat and Republican camps. Such a spirit of engaging talents not along partisan or racial lines should serve as an inspiration for the Malaysian government.

Entering into the new millennium, the entire world is seeking change, from Thailand, Taiwan, Australia, the US to the very recent New Zealand. It takes more than just an overnight effort to turn the opposition parties into ruling parties.

People are getting more and more matured and governments which refuse to change or are performing poorly will be abandoned by the voters.

This is what we call "democracy."

Back to Malaysia. The March general elections delivered a very clear message to the BN government that the rakyat were seeking change. That said, have we seen any real improvement in the country's politics, economy and education over the past eight months?

Malaysians begin to feel the pinch of economic slowdown while racially inspired remarks and issues continue to be played up by irresponsible politicians. Besides, policies and measures that go against the public's will have also invited widespread grumblings.

The world cheers the historic election of an African American to be the US president. While not making real progress, it is indeed sorrowful that we have instead made a big fuss over the appointment of Low Siew Moi as PKNS' acting GM.

For how long more do we still have to live with the racist policies our country's leaders have cherished for so long?

UMNO's new leadership will be installed next March and Malaysians have very high expectations for Najib, the country's new steersman.

The new leaders must seriously look into the plight of the people, and offer feasible solutions that will address the unfair and unjust policies.

Any policy change must not be seen as a political investment for elections without taking into consideration what the rakyat really want.

(By YU MIYE/Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Sin Chew Daily)
MySinchew
2008.11.11