My eyes feel fatigued. I’ve been doing a lot of reading lately (hoping to learn more about current and future trends in technology) – like a bee hopping from one flower to another, never quite satisfied with the nectar of knowledge each flower seems to offer. Alas, this is my process; or at least that’s how I console myself about my ADHD.
Archives for category: Politics
“Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department said an emergency Parliamentary sitting should be convened to amend various laws governing Internet and media usage such as the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.” – The Star Online 2nd, August 2015
The government hopes the fear of the law creates a cone of silence from the people, so they can bring the voice of the one louder. This takes away the democratic mirror the government badly needs to see how well they (the public servants) are serving the people. Growing the ever increasing “Spiral of Silence” and burning the bridges of democracy. They will write their own report cards, they will sing their own praises and isolating themselves and digging their own graves.
Related: CNN
Some may say this is akin to running away from responsibility or hiding from shame. Is this a good thing? Leaders accepting blame and stepping down so a better person takes over? The Prime Minister may not be the person directly to blame but it is a position of highest authority and this tragedy happened during his watch. Stepping down sends a clear message; change must happen.
South Korea’s Sixth Republic era have probably seen more than 20 changes of leadership since it started in 1987. That is dramatic.
What happened to South Korea’s economy since 1987? Monumental and rapid growth. Not only in the financial sector but in science, technology and the arts. This is something we need to look at.
We have been conditioned to think change in leadership causes chaos and instability but in South Korea and Japan, we can observe that with the right social infrastructure, it is a very effective method of improving it’s society.
Thinking ahead, the new Prime Minister who will take over Chung Hong-won will have his or her hands full ensuring that safety of ferries is the government’s top priority. This means strict regulation and full-non-apologetic enforcement of the industry. This directly enhances the safety standards with very little delay compared to if the present leadership were to attempt this with the weight of an existing agenda.
This form of accountable democracy is refreshing.
The streets are lined with banners,
Smiling faces, honest laughters,
Promises echoes from speakers at night,
Selling stories to the left and to the right,
They dance, we dance, and we make noise,
They plead, giving us the delusion of choice,
Delusion of choice, to choose a righteous leader,
or to help someone get in a position of power,
Delusion of choice, we line up to make our mark,
If it doesn’t end up being counted, that would suck.
When all this is done and all has been decided,
They move on, we are still here, ever devoted,
They will serve, serve their true kingmakers,
But who they are, everyone will eventually wonder.
Malaysia will be heading to the polls in the next few weeks. Politics is thus thrust into the hands of the unwilling.
In politics, it’s about power and power attracts money. Business and politics trumps ethics. The people’s voice is often drowned in the halls of power; a hall which is powered mainly by business. How much have businesses invested in the retention of status-quo and therefore having influence with the law makers have silenced the will of the people.
With business powered politics, we are back into the dark ages of land owners. it will take more than an Arab spring to change. The election process must not be an exercise in futility; there is no transparent and independent platform to operate on and the government’s machinery seems to be run by politically biased puppets.
The days of divisive politics must be placed behind us. Stop holding/pushing the nation back by relentless and never ending excuses to grease the voter’s hands with promises of hand-outs taken from the coffers of the state. A peaceful change must be realised so the people regain their power. So they can regain their voice from the choke of fear. We seek change not because we love the opposition but to let the people know they can choose the future based on core issues rather than those built up by fear and prejudice. Let Malaysia be governed by politics where race and religion are no longer used as a wedge to divide and conquer.
Let’s hope the people can decide and not have the votes decided for them.
Sumo Articulations 