Would you elect Alvin Tan as your MP?
Cecilia Jeyanthi Victor, The Ant Daily
Like it or not, the days when Alvin Tan was merely a sex blogger are over. Today, he is more than a brash young man trying to show off his sexual prowess on the Internet.
His road to fame, or infamy as it is, has been littered with dubious choices that show a total disregard for anything other than his naked ambition to become well-known, even at the expense of his dignity, future, and his citizenship.
As part of Alvivi, his “sexcapades” with Vivian created a storm of attention. And as each successive post grew more explicit, so did the resulting firestorm.
How Alvin revelled in it. That is, till the “Bak Kut Teh” incident.
The insensitive Hari Raya Puasa slur would prove too much for the duo. The public backlash, the subsequent court case and their brief stint in jail took a toll on them.
Vivian’s infidelity (if there is such a thing for a swinging couple) was the final nail in the coffin. Alvin, unable to handle it all, and probably fearing a longer sentence in jail, hatched a plan that would ensure his freedom.
He ditched Vivian to face the music on her own, and disappeared.
After several months, he made his comeback in a series of comments in Theantdaily website, declaring that he was seeking political asylum in the US and was done with Malaysia once and for all.
In his own words, “I’ve burnt all my bridges with Malaysia and will not bother to comment further on anything even remotely related to Malaysia; I’ve sold all my stakes and therefore lost all legitimacy to speak credibly on it, so to speak.”
That promise, however, lasted for only a day.
For whatever reason, Alvin has decided to play it up as Malaysia’s No. 1 political dissident in exile. He has even turned commentator on the current socio-political situation in our country. Is Alvin turning out to be the Malaysian opposition’s most controversial supporter?
His views are, of course, anti-Barisan Nasional, and he takes on the authorities with relish and his attacks are often crude insults tinged with brutal honesty. This odd combination has garnered him a legion of ardent fans who support his rebel-with-a-cause crusade against the government.
He has recently managed to gain the government’s attention and wrath with his criticism and ridicule of the Selangor Sultan in relation to the title-stripping of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. After a verbal sparring session that ended with the revocation of his passport, Alvin then heaped scorn on the Home Minister by pointing out the absurdity of the entire issue.
Did Alvin’s so-called interference win him any fans among the Malaysian opposition? Or is PKR cringing over Alvin’s involvement?
It would be naïve to think that Alvin contemplates a future as a Pakatan Rakyat supporter. It is more likely that Alvin has a greater agenda, as he has previously stated that he would redouble his attacks on the Malaysian government to instigate them to persecute him to strengthen his bid for political asylum.
This is a calculated move worthy of a politician. Will his gambit succeed?
Will the US government be convinced that Alvin is a victim of persecution and not an instigator provoking a response for his own benefit?
Alvin seems certain that he would be granted political asylum in the US, but will the Americans feel sorry for him and allow him to remain in their country?
Perhaps, Alvin should have not opened his mouth too soon to condemn the government. If the US sees through his game, then he can kiss his political asylum bid goodbye.
But even if he is granted asylum, is it happily ever after for Alvin? Today he might hate the Malaysian government; tomorrow he might hate the US government for whatever reason.
Then he might start ranting about it on his Facebook page. Or take to the streets in a protest. God only knows what he’s capable off in the land of the free and the brave. Let’s watch and see how the Americans deal with him then.
I’m guessing that it might not be so good after all. He might have to come home to the land that he very much despises.
What would he do then? Serve out his sentence and then run for Parliament? What political party in their right mind would want him?
With his loyal following, the idea might not be as far-fetched as it seems. After all, Malaysia’s political landscape is littered with comeback kings, an ex-convict and various political ‘porn-stars’.
So, would you elect Alvin Tan as your Member of Parliament?
