I am quite certain that every Malaysian who owns an email address and a mobile phone has been receiving politics-laced messages from both sides of the political divide.
Some messages are well-articulated. Others are emotive. Some are sensible. Others, outrageous. Many are well-meaning. Equally many are downright abusive and libelous.
I'm not sure how other Malaysians react to these messages. I usually glance at them before deleting or, just delete them with nary a further thought.
The point of this post is directed at the remarks I receive from ex-Malaysians who have uprooted themselves to live elsewhere.
These ex-Malaysians invariably have a haughty tone that exhibit 2 characteristics. First, thank the stars I am no longer living in Malaysia. The situation is chaotic. Second, what's wrong with YOU people in Malaysia and all your politicking and race-laced views.
I find these types of remarks tiresome, boring and annoying.
We, who live in Malaysia, are enjoying greater democratic space. We are having some fun.
The best metaphors for what Malaysians are experiencing are-
It's the democratic equivalent of a dopamine rush.
Some of us hits a downer faster than others. We slow down. Others appear to be on permanent speed.
The point is that this is OUR game to play; for Malaysians who choose to live in Malaysia.
I love Malaysia. I love Malaysian democracy.
I am amused by Ibrahim Ali and Wee Ka Siong. They add colour and texture to the Malaysian political batik fabric. I may not believe what they say, and I really don't. But, I enjoy their utterances. Sometimes I mock exasperation and indignation. But, at heart, they provide a perverse form of enjoyment and distraction.
If people don't understand the cacophony of Malaysian politics (which is at freshman level), then how could they appreciate the higher level banality offered by Aussie politicians (for example) arguing emotionally about carbon tax and the finer points of the Kyoto Protocol?
I'd much rather that people who are residing permanently or, worse, who have become citizens, in another country engage the issues in that land and, if they so desire, quietly read about the colours of political Malaysia and, refrain from making haughty and condescending remarks to Malaysians who choose to live and contribute to Malaysia.
Lest I be misunderstood, none of the above applies to Malaysians studying or working abroad who will be returning in future.
The point of this post is directed at the remarks I receive from ex-Malaysians who have uprooted themselves to live elsewhere.
These ex-Malaysians invariably have a haughty tone that exhibit 2 characteristics. First, thank the stars I am no longer living in Malaysia. The situation is chaotic. Second, what's wrong with YOU people in Malaysia and all your politicking and race-laced views.
I find these types of remarks tiresome, boring and annoying.
We, who live in Malaysia, are enjoying greater democratic space. We are having some fun.
The best metaphors for what Malaysians are experiencing are-
- Standing naked outside your house in broad daylight.
- Bungee jumping for the first time.
It's the democratic equivalent of a dopamine rush.
Some of us hits a downer faster than others. We slow down. Others appear to be on permanent speed.
The point is that this is OUR game to play; for Malaysians who choose to live in Malaysia.
I love Malaysia. I love Malaysian democracy.
I am amused by Ibrahim Ali and Wee Ka Siong. They add colour and texture to the Malaysian political batik fabric. I may not believe what they say, and I really don't. But, I enjoy their utterances. Sometimes I mock exasperation and indignation. But, at heart, they provide a perverse form of enjoyment and distraction.
If people don't understand the cacophony of Malaysian politics (which is at freshman level), then how could they appreciate the higher level banality offered by Aussie politicians (for example) arguing emotionally about carbon tax and the finer points of the Kyoto Protocol?
I'd much rather that people who are residing permanently or, worse, who have become citizens, in another country engage the issues in that land and, if they so desire, quietly read about the colours of political Malaysia and, refrain from making haughty and condescending remarks to Malaysians who choose to live and contribute to Malaysia.
Lest I be misunderstood, none of the above applies to Malaysians studying or working abroad who will be returning in future.
1 comment:
DM,
Naked outside MY house? Nicely put, but I doubt if I can relate with this one :)
Democratic space? Yes, but are we really reaching the eardrums of those we want heard?
Now THIS I can relate to.
Pardon me as I erase a particular image in my mind's eye. Heh... :)
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