So, some people I know got arrested earlier on. I am glad for their release.
There’s this whole gig about wearing black tomorrow to protest the government’s undemocratic (Yes, it is undemocratic) power grab (Yes, it was/is a power grab) of the state of Perak. So a lecturer from Monash, Wong Chin Huat (I know him by mention and reputation, never actually taught by him), did a press conference, ruffled some feathers (though I won’t exactly call it ruffling feathers)… and well. Read the whole story here at Malaysiakini.
Yes I will be wearing black tomorrow. If I don’t it will be because I forgot. But I hope to.
I am glad I know people who actively fight for the betterment of the country. There is room for that, of course. But for the rest of us with a more fragile resolve, there are other ways to get involved. Here are some thoughts of how else to initiate change. Feel free to leave comments to beef up this list:
1. Not taking to the streets does not mean you can’t protest
I understand there are those among us (myself included) who have some belief that public protesting isn’t the best way to go about things. Well, it doesn’t mean we can’t protest.
For example, if you took the time to join the education industry, you potentially put yourself in the position of driving the next generation’s revolution. You might or might not live to see the day the kids grow up and initiate the internalized values that you try to impart in them, but it’s still change.
2. Don’t bribe. At all.
You can also protest by not bribing. It’s easy for us to say that our politicians are corrupt, but it’s just as easy for us to flick open our wallet and avoid a police fine 5 minutes after we critisize our government.
3. Stop thinking that voting is the most important thing in the world.
Voting does matter, but not when it’s not time to vote. It happens once in 4-5 years, and I always held the belief that voting is the least anyone can do for their country, and the ‘least’ is very little indeed. It’s how we live as citizens in the other parts of the 4 – 5 years that would initiate a change that even the mighty forces of BN can’t withstand.
4. Pray.
Disclaimer: Prayer is not an excuse to practice inaction.
5. Basically, we need more people to live unlike our government.
That would be the greatest protest, to have a people who live with honesty, transparency, and intergrity in all aspects of their lives. To say that “We are not like you, not even in the closet.”
And yes, I am not like my government. I’m far from perfect, but my resolve to distance myself from what they are made of is strenghtened by every stupid step they take. And they do take stupid steps quite often.
God bless Malaysia.