It would be really nice if we all lived in a country where we could…

…go on strike if we are being exploited at the office.

…have free access to any published material on this planet.

…debate openly about anything under the sun and not be attacked personally for debating about our views.

…participated in public referendums that involve the public from fuel hikes to changing our national anthem.

…demand for answers and accountability from ministers AND get them.

…hold rallies to voice out our opposition to the government and its policies with fear of imprisonment (among other things).

It would really REALLY be nice to hear a different voice.

UPDATE: COMMENTS CLOSED.

NOTE: Entry has been edited to make things clearer – don’t want to be accused of marginalizing people out there! Also, if you don’t agree with certain points, it’s okay. That’s your right. Just let me exercise mine.

I have nothing against people wanted to sue governments for certain stuff OR people going against the government for wanting to better the lives of their fellow citizens but this HINDRAF thing is just bordering on plain madness! Initially I found it funny to sue the Queen but now that I think about it, it’s more than that, no? Hey, I actually like the idea of these people standing up for themselves!

The class action suit was filed at The Royal Courts of Justice in London in August against the British Government for bringing in Indians as indentured labourers into Malaya and exploiting them for 150 years and thereafter failing to protect the minority Indians rights in the Federal Constitution when independence was granted.

It was reported that the sum sought was US$4tril (RM13.5tril) or US$1mil (RM3.4mil) for every Indian residing in Malaysia.

Taken from here.

Point #1
I’d dare say that the original group of labourers who were brought in, exploited and marginalized are perhaps long gone from this earth. What we have instead are their children and grandchildren who never had to go through the trauma of leaving their families behind and starting afresh in another country.

Continue reading →

I have always told people time and time again to exercise their constitutional right and duty – voting. If you’re wondering, I casted my first vote in the previous elections. Pretty happy with what I got for my area although not so happy with the government.

A lot of people out there think that their one vote may not make a difference but when you add the numbers up, they DO…what if a million other people decided not to vote on poling day?

Months ago, I discovered that there are many Malaysians abroad who do want to vote but are excluded from the electoral roll simply because of their address. One blogger approached the New York Malaysian embassy and was told that there were simply no provisions made by SPR for postal voting for people other than students and civil servants. Some were told to fly back in order to vote which is all great and dandy IF you knew when exactly general elections would be held (which means giving people at least three months notice to get a flight and leave and stuff settled)!

Two days ago, I wrote to three newspapers and the SPR demanding for an explanation to this blatant discrimination. Yes, I see it as discrimination because for starters, why is postal voting allowed for certain groups of people and not everyone? You either have it in place for everybody or no one at all.

Secondly, there are a lot of countries out there who allow postal voting irrespective of who or where you are. All you needed was just your proof of residence, afterwhich you just register at the nearest embassy and show up there again on poling day.

I’m voting for a representative that will show up in Parliament to speak out for my political needs and not just some dude who will take care of the area I live in. I may be abroad but it doesn’t mean those decisions made doesn’t affect me. It still does. So long as I hold onto my citizenship, any decision made by a political representative voted into power affects me. Also, this isn’t a logical reason (see the above point).

The outcome so far? Nothing. No news from SPR and nothing from the papers. If this keeps up, I might just have to do what’s necessary – as per below and from the SPR website:

Q: In the event a person is not allowed to cast his vote, where can he lodge a report?
A: At the nearest Police Station.

To you, it is not really a big deal but y’know, this is one right that has been given to me irrespective of what race I am by the Constitution and I’m not about to let anyone take it away from me.