No matter which side of the political fence you sit on, you’ll only be too aware that the recent elections in Malaysia have brought changes which have significantly affected the country’s political landscape. For those who thought that what was true yesterday, will be true tomorrow, this would have been a great surprise. Myself included.
So this brings to mind the all-too-famous Bob Dylan lyrics, warning us that the we shouldn’t rely on the status quo:
Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won’t come again
And don’t speak too soon
For the wheel’s still in spin
And there’s no tellin’ who
That it’s namin’.
For the loser now
Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin’.
Sam Cooke, who took a stand against racial prejudice and was unfortunately shot dead in a cheap motel, may also have thought his song pretty apt as it brought hope to those seeking redress:
There’s been times that I thought
I wouldn’t last for long
But now I think I’m able to carry on
It’s been a long, long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come
Oh, yes it will
Even the Bee Gees, whom I’ve avidly listened to from the age of 6 and since Maurice’s death may never release another album, have profound words on this matter:
Sometime a man breaks down,
and the good thing he is looking for
are crushed into the ground.
Get on up, look around;
can’t you feel the wind of change?
Get on up, taste the air;
can’t you see the wind of change;
And David Bowie, whom ruminates deeply when he isn’t trying to look so cool, puts himself firmly in the shoes of those caught in these winds:
So I turned myself to face me
But Ive never caught a glimpse
Of how the others must see the faker
I’m much too fast to take that test
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
(turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-changes
Don’t want to be a richer man
So you see, song lyrics, which are often more direct and accessible than poetry, can teach us so much. So let’s hope that those in power, whether at the federal or state level (run by whatever political coalition), or even at the local government level will be keenly aware that things do change.
March 11, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Changes. I hope this time around people will not take situation for granted. Changes, it makes the young grow old, the tender to mature.
Btw, I think that literature expresses pain beautifully though other form of art sometimes does it as well. Yet, lit moves the heart. thats for me.
March 12, 2008 at 1:24 am
Hi,
I’ve browsed your blog a couple of times: interesting, informative, prolific.
I wrote about the change too, in my blog (do visit). When I was little, I wasn’t much aware of politics or elections happening. I guess people were hapy to stick with the status quo; so there was not much discussion or fuss about who to vote or who got voted. But now, even my young nieces are talking about this party won/ that guy lost/party president , and so on. Educational, the last elections, to say the least.
March 12, 2008 at 5:33 am
TH,
The ballot box never lies. Now, the chosen reps must get to work and prove their worth. Hopefully, my son will grow up in a better Malaysia, a clever Malaysia.
March 12, 2008 at 7:24 am
Melyong – Changes indeed. Yet some things remain the same. Literature, fine arts, songs and dance – these are the things that bring beauty to life.
Jooli – It’s great that the young ones are getting involved in politics. They’ll not be apathetic. They’ll vote and it’ll count.
Elviza – So true. Unless… But, yeah, a better, cleverer Malaysia is what we’re all seeking.
March 13, 2008 at 2:16 am
I hope that those in power will rule well and clean up where there’s a need. Isn’t there a saying that goes : The only constant is change.
Well, I googled it to make sure I got it right and here’s the quote in full :
The only constant is change, continuing change, inevitable change, that is the dominant factor in society today. No sensible decision can be made any longer without taking into account not only the world as it is, but the world as it will be.
— Isaac Asimov
March 13, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Lydia – I like the Asimov quote and I enjoyed reading his “I, Robot”. Things change and we need to recognise it, including those in government We all hope that things change for the better.
March 15, 2008 at 6:28 am
Hey Hal, was wondering if you blogged about the momentous events that are happening here in our kampung. 😉 Have been so inspired that I started a new blog
dotmyhome.blogspot.com
Yes, yes, am pimping it. 😉
March 15, 2008 at 10:44 am
Hi, TH. Yes, it was a marvellous wind of change. Let’s hope it blows sturdily, sweeping away most of the corruption and inefficiencies (well, one must be realistic), and all the violent criminals that go unpunished.
Here’s to the taxpayers’ hard-earned ringgit being used for good and nurturing purposes: health, education, a cleaner environment, jobs for those who can work and a dignified life for those who cannot. May free speech be upheld — no more book banning and gag orders, and less censorship.
March 16, 2008 at 4:21 am
TH,
We gave Pak Lah a big mandate in 2004 to clean up the ruling coalition. He chose to do otherwise so the rakyat taught him a lesson. He is yet to learn from it since he is still not sure what to do. If he strays further, a change of government at the Federal level is in order soon.
Lets hope that the newly formed state government will not squander too . They must learn to tread the middle ground well to be acceptable to the multiracial and multireligious nature of the citizens of Malaysia. A tolerant attitude must be expected from everyone.
March 16, 2008 at 5:42 am
3 ekor gagak hitam diatas tiang lampu…
Gagak hitam basah
ditimpa hujan
awan mendung
rintik merempuh dinding flat usang
Tiga ekor gagak bertengek
diatas wayar
tiang lampu milik ‘gomen’
gagak hitam berborak
berborak-borak
isu politik nasional
bahang musim pilihanraya
selepas membuang undi
4 negeri bertukar tangan.
gagak pertama:
“aku tegar menyokong pemerintah
selama-lamanya. kerajaan ini banyak berjasa, kalian tahu apa?”
gagak kedua:
“sehingga mampus, aku sesekali tidak akan menyokong kerajaan rasuah ini.
kerajaan zalim ini tidak dapat undi aku. barang naik tanpa henti. gaji aku
cukup makan.”
gagak ketiga: (hanya terdiam. sesekali mengangguk-anggukkan paruhnya.
diam seekor gagak menyimpan rasa. bersuara bila perlu)
petir berdentam dentum
guruh keras
kilat sabung menyabung.
Tiga ekor gagak masih bertenggek
gagak-gagak hitam
melihat arus perubahan
melanda daerah mereka.
Gagak hitam pertama terus bersuara
lantang
menyakitkan hati.
Gagak kedua
tidak kurang keras
sekali-sekala
mencarut-carut.
Gagak ketiga
diam.
berjaga-jaga.
bersedia.
(errr…ada lagi…belum habis lagi nih. Nak tahu apa terjadi kepada 3 ekor gagak tersebut, jom masuk blog saya.)
http://theindiestory.blogspot.com
*Tunku Halim yang budiman, cukup 3 bulan saya hantar cek untuk bayaran iklan. hehehe
March 16, 2008 at 11:47 am
TH, I only wish you could be home to vote. Hey…did you manage to vote anyway?
March 16, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Nigel – I thought I was blogging about the momentous events! Will visit your blog, you great big pimp… 🙂
Argus – We live in hope for these improvements. But I think, as you say, we must be realistic. Teething problems will be inevitable.
Zawi – I think you’re right. People want some change but not radical change. Step by step improvement rather than revolution.
March 16, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Moderator – Terima Kasih for your 3 gagak. Takda gagak keempat? 🙂
Xeus – I don’t think Malaysia does postal votes. Interesting times, huh…
March 19, 2008 at 11:07 am
Hey! I resemble that remark! 😉
March 19, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Nigel – No lah! You’re more like Santa Claus with a bag of cakes instead of toys.