BERSIH is not about washing your hands!

Nov 10th, 2007 – Family living room, Rumah Aku.
Jam : 9.30pm

Hundreds of emails flooded my in-box. Mostly forwarded emails with stories and attachments of the Operasi BERSIH ( here ). (for the uninitiated, read about the memorandum here which was the reason for BERSIH). Of course I also read utusan online and the star online ( but there were no pictures in these two newspapers - much to my surprise ).

I was watching one of the videos which has scenes of the P M and his S1L giving speeches at the persid@ngan @gung UMN0. It is obvious that the video has been doctored in such a manner to make mockery of the two leaders. I could not help, but to laugh out loud! It was so funny.....
On hearing lots of noise coming from me in the family living hall, Luqman appeared from his room asking, “Ada apa Ayah?”

I actually hesitated before I could answer him. The hesitation was long enough for him to come to behind the screen to watch the video. My instant reaction was to close it….I wasn’t ready for Luqman ( he is 7 ) to see what Malaysian politics has produced. I managed to persuade him to return to his room. Then it really struck me, "What am I doing watching all these craps!". But then again, is it about the videos which are 'craps, or the state of Malaysian politics itself which is crappy!!??
“What is happening to Malaysia?”

A few words came to my mind…..
- Teruk (You can disagree with me, but in my view – sudah kes really teruk! Majority of rakyat only wants safety, foods & education - and the leaders are acting like men possessed)
- Buruk ( To see adults, and especially adults in senior positions acting and using words like ‘beruk’ in a official functions, a chief minister doing an obsene gesture with his hands to orang kampung – are tauladan yang buruk for our children )
- Lapuk ( This type of political drama is out-dated )
- Beruk ( Even monkeys will be confused after watching the acts of humans – just try watching some of the you-tube videos ).

How do I answer my son? And how do I explain to my children about political scenes in Malaysia today?
This morning over breakfast, I told Luqman, much to his confusion and amusement at the same time ….
- Malaysia has a government. The Government keep the country in order like Mom do to our house. People above 21 can participate to choose who play the role of government. Like Ayah choose Mak.
- But, people can choose the government every four years. If they don’t like one government they can choose another one. Before you ask, Ayah can’t change Mak. (Lil gave me an approving smile on this point)
- Now in Malaysia the people are thinking about who to choose for the next government. So, a lot of fighting going on lah! That is why Ayah don’t want to change Mak…..To avoid fighting lah.
( LiL went….”Oo, pandai la tu lawyer buruk kan anak tu”)

I am sure, given time I will find a good enough explaination for Luqman. Given time also, hopefully our political leaders will act less like the cartoons characters from the Disney world – which surely make it a lot easier for me in explaining. For now, he does have some impression that, “Ooo…politics tu macam kartun ka ayah?”

I am not politically inclined, and is not even sure whether I will vote this time since I am away from Malaysia. But, I think I will make an effort to vote.....I want to be counted for the future of Malaysia. Afterall BERSIH, is not about washing one's hands.....!

PS : This is a free promotion - done in the name of a bapak's love for his son - at his request!
If you are have the time, please visit him there and leave him with some encouragement to find a girl....hehehe. He is broken hearted. Tsk tsk tsk ( Hah! kata nak glemer! kan dah ....)