8th of March, 2008

Incredible, almost unbelievable weekend this is. Set out on a journey back home at 11am, but it wasn’t until 1am the next day that I finally got home. The excitement within sedated me over all sorts of fatigue.

Being the first time in my life to vote for the nation’s general election, I’ve already made history. Of course, alongside with everyone else who believed in their vote and its significance. Yes, we made history together.

Along with my debut participation, there were just numerous of other debuts. Not intending to convert this blog to another political platform, I shall omit the details. Nevertheless the whole event gave me new insights towards politics. Previously, I do not have a strong stand or solid personal principles in this issue. I guess this short weekend sorta changed me pretty much.

It isn’t about being political. It isn’t about you or me. It’s really about being responsible to the people around you, people you care, people you don’t care even though you’re supposed and commanded to, people who need you to care about, and of course, it’s also about being responsible to yourself. We are given an utmost important right as a citizen, and denying it is bluntly despicable. In this matter, ignorance is irresponsible.

The moment you deny your own right to vote and simply let others do what they want, you’ve actually given up more than what you think you did. You no longer have a right to bitch about the education system in our nation and all its flaws and flops, you have no right to complain about the horrendous condition of public transportation system, when the price of oil goes up all you can do is just shut up, and when you are detained under ISA though you think you don’t deserve it, you probably do deserve it. Even worse, you don’t even deserve the right to talk about making changes. When the whole nation fought for it, you didn’t even care to bother.

Remember William Wallace, the hero of Scotland. The man who fought with every single bit that he has, roaring 'Freedom' every time he charged into countless of battlefields, he fought against the British who oppressed and colonize them. He might had lead his army to wipe out British forces on his land, if only...the people he fought for, fought for him. We all knew the ending well, he fell, persecuted and beheaded at the end. Just because he lost the support from his own people...the very ones whose freedom was exchanged and paid by his life.

If you have voted for change in the battle of 8th of March, walk away from this post with pride and honor. And continue to work for it.
If you have voted for Safety, Peace and Prosperity, walk away from this post and begin justifying your choice from the polling results.
If you have walked away from the battle of 8th of March, walk away from the changes that are about to be imposed. You don't deserve them.