Beacon of Democracy

Following the Malaysia 2018 GE live on TV and social media caused some racing heartbeat moments for me. Analysts termed the 2018 GE as the mother of all Malaysia elections even before polling day because of the expected neck to neck fights between the ruling BN and the opposition parties. I recalled the racial riots that happened in 1969 following the street celebrations of DAP and other opposition parties which had garnered more seats than expected. In 1969 I was a teenager living in KL and experienced the tension and anxieties of the time. I thought to myself if the 2018 election is to be the mother even of the 1969 election, will there be unrest on even a bigger scale?

Almost half a century from 1969, news update comes from various sources and social media (TV, online news, WhatsApp mesages) almost instantaneously. What a far cry from 50 years ago when neighbours ran short distances across narrow streets during curfews to alert hearsay of impending attacks from rioters. I froze as I watched a video through WhatsApp showing the mobilistion of riot police at a counting centre in Ayer Hitam, Johor, after a huge crowd of opposition party supporters blocked the passage of cars entering the centre (apparently to stop the act of introducing fake ballot boxes by the ruling party). Another message showed troops stationed at the administrative capital in Putrajaya, KL (which was quickly refuted by the police). The outcry of the crowds in various videos made me really worried there would be unrest and bloodshed. Though I spent only a decade in KL they were during my formative years when I was schooled and which shaped much of my character and outlook. I always felt that whilst the subsequent Singapore utilitarian education gave me a good livelihood the Malaysian holistic education gave me a soul, hence my attachment to Malaysia.

As it turned out the 2018 Malaysia election was a peaceful revolution which toppled the corrupt ruling party which had been in power since independence, a victory of the people including my former classmates and my former neighbours. The voices of our Malaysian friends are heard and I rejoice with them in winning back their Malaysia, now a "beacon of democracy" in this region.