If not now, then when? If not me, then who?
I subscribe to RPK’s warning that if GE13 does not evict the UMNOputras from Putrajaya, it shall well be another generation, another 50 years, before the opportunity revisits us.
By Educationist
The Japanese earthquake coming so soon after the heels of the Christchurch quake helped focus my thoughts on how lucky we Malaysians are as a nation. We have no natural calamities of the scale of the Japanese quake and our country is blessed with natural resources and the year round fair weather that’s the envy of many a citizen of other countries!!
Yes, we should indeed be thankful for these blessings!!
But I can’t help thinking how much more blessed we will be now if we have had an enlightened government over the years; since the 1970s in particular.
The information that has been released by the opposition indicates that there has been at least RM88 billion in illicit capital outflow since the year 2000 alone.
In the name of the NEP, how many billions have been squandered by the UMNOputras in the name of development while at the same time lining their own, their cronies and family members’ pockets?
Look at the loss in human resources as the rakyat is sidelined by the NEP, making a beeline overseas to countries like Singapore and Australia for their education and then settling down in their adopted countries.
I do not intend this to be a recounting of the litany of ills that now confront our country. The point I’m trying to put across is that the time has come for all of us who still call this beautiful country our home to take the bull by its horn!!
Hindraf, Bersih and the candle-light vigils have pointed the way. The citizens’ uprising in Tunisia and Egypt have shown the power of the people if carefully harnessed and rightly directed!!
Now, is no longer the time to sit on the fence. We who have been calling for change must each do our part. Yes, not all of us have the resources or the contacts like RPK to relocate overseas, when the UMNOputras persecute us. Yet, we must now discard our ‘couldn’t care less’ attitude. We must each do what is within our ability to do to further the agenda for change, within the provisions of the law.
We must no longer be intimidated by the extra-legal measures adopted by the UMNOputras to cow us into submission.
We can pass the word round to our friends and relatives who may still be sitting on the fence with regards the excesses of the UMNOputras – the known corrupt practices, cronyism etc., how they have abused institutions of state like the judiciary, police, the AG chambers etc. so that they are no longer respected and cannot be expected to come to the defence of the powerless, innocent rakyat.
Within our ability we must donate to help the meagre resources of the opposition parties like DAP and PAS. If we have the time and energy we can also donate that to help in the opposition’s battles.
I subscribe to RPK’s warning that if GE13 does not evict the UMNOputras from Putrajaya, it shall well be another generation, another 50 years, before the opportunity revisits us. To paraphrase a Japanese story I have read: “If not now, then when? If not me, then who?”
Thank you.