AUGUST 3 — Before you condemn me for foregoing by democratic right to cast my ballot, I want to clearly state that I am still a democrat at heart. I have diligently voted in the past three general elections and not voting is as much an expression of political stance, as it is voting.
I am also aware that the right to vote is not universal and many living in repressive regimes do not share this "luxury". And I do cherish my right to vote as a citizen in a democratic country.
But this state election, I am boycotting the polls as a matter of principle. It's my way of expressing my unhappiness over the way political players manipulate voters and take advantage of our electoral system for their selfish aims.
Let me cite the last general election as an example. I voted for Pakatan Harapan in 2022 with the hopes of kicking the racist and corrupt Umno out. But lo and behold, after GE15, following a series of backroom deals and horse-trading, we have the Umno president, who's facing 47 corruption charges, as the second most powerful man in the country.
Put another way, even if I vote, the outcome may be different from the ideals espoused by candidates or their parties during campaigning. I still remember that during GE15 campaigning, PKR's Fahmi Fadzil (among many PH leaders) had said that one vote for Umno's Khairy Jamaluddin in Sungai Buloh was one vote for Zahid Hamidi, the Umno president. We all know how that turned out.
How am I supposed to not feel disillusioned over how my political expression has been hijacked? To make matters worse, the unity government has started going back on its words such as not using the Sedition Act, no appointments in GLCs, on top of many unfulfilled electoral pledges.
But while I am angry with the unity government, I also cannot bring myself to vote for Perikatan Nasional. To me, their leaders have extreme views that are not suitable for multi-racial Malaysia.
PH-BN and PN are like the devil and the deep blue sea. Explain to me why I need to vote again? How do I know that my vote will not be hijacked and manipulated again if I decide to go to the polls on Aug 12?
For example, will the current Menteri Besar in Selangor or Chief Minister in Penang be retained if his coalition wins? PH leaders say so. But then again, Umno also promised it would retain its incumbent Johor Menteri Besar after last year's state election. But post-election, another candidate was sworn in.
I had just voted last November. I was full of hope and eagerness when I marked "X" on the ballot paper and dipped my finger in the indelible ink. This time around, I think I have grown wiser.
For those who feel the same, boycotting the election is also a form of political expression. I hope the absence of me and those like me from polling the station will send a strong message to our leaders that we are not to be taken for granted nor for a ride.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/what-you-think/2023/08/03/why-i-am-not-voting-this-coming-state-election-michael-sah/83291
Created by savemalaysia | Aug 31, 2024
Created by savemalaysia | Aug 31, 2024
Created by savemalaysia | Aug 31, 2024
Created by savemalaysia | Aug 31, 2024
Created by savemalaysia | Aug 31, 2024
Created by savemalaysia | Aug 31, 2024
Created by savemalaysia | Aug 31, 2024
Similarly America wasted lots of money lots of lives not helping Libya and Iraq but destroying them
2023-08-04 13:27
DSAI promised to clean up corruption.
Give him a chance like Indonesian President to clean up corruption in Indonesia for the last 10 years.
10 ministers in Indonesia were sacked and sentenced for corruption.
KLSE will perform like JSX, increase 846%.
Malaysian debt is about 1.5 trillion, money stolen according to one report is 4.5 trillion.
After less out the debt of 1.5 trillion, the leftover money is 3.0 trillion.
The population of Malaysia is about 33 million, each citizen will entitle 910 thousand each.
With this amount of money, I think KLSE will go up 846%.
Give DSAI a chance to rule for 10 years in Malaysia, let him collect back all stolen money from all parties concerned.
An unofficial report, one VIP has 1.3 trillion parked outside Malaysia. DSAI wants to take back this money from this VIP.
Please give a chance to DSAI and support the present unity government.
2023-08-04 13:38
if people only do good when watched or because of strict laws, or voting , all u get are hypocrites, people who are above the laws.
2023-08-04 14:41
just imagine if you have no chance to vote Najib out and throw him in jail.
2023-08-04 15:23
TPM DSZH not charge under corruption? So how can trust PM-X with his anti-corruption 100%?
2023-08-04 15:31
being moral morality not only when poor and powerless. But being moral and morality when rich and powerful, that is the secret to wise use of power. That cannot come from being watched, or voting Otherwise if people only do good when watched or because of strict laws, or voting , all u get are hypocrites, people who are above the laws. One thing I know is wise old men are wise and old because they satisfied, not longer worried about challenges, no longer worried adversities. They feel secured already and are brought up with good education, good morals, good lessons,
2023-08-04 15:36
Politics is a game where Winner don't take all and loser don't lose all. Prioritized your agenda for better Malaysia.
2023-08-04 15:54
Neither democracy nor communism is a good government model.
Equally repressive are religioun based government as they are dictatorial.
2023-08-04 15:58
lets not say communists, lets just say revolutionaries.
In the case of China, the revolutionary spirit is well respected.
2023-08-04 16:41
countries that have had their revolutions have a certain spirit is that is respectable.
2023-08-04 16:43
HAHA !! joker how unity can lose NS too... msut be dreaming too much , waiting abah give u freebies
2023-08-04 18:03
no rm50 give outs how to win ... lau also hide in penang malay state , imagine he lost !! possible ,, sanusi lost?? also possible
HOT fight is ganu and kedah, both PN at THREAT not Unity the rest no fight
must not be reading newspaper these days
2023-08-04 18:04
somalia..........u will be surprised to learn Somalia is doing very well now. Rwanda too. Ethiopia too. And Afghanistan today is doing very well .except for women issues I guess.
all these countries doing well with help from China.
2023-08-04 18:17
already nation with millions of bangla, rohingya, pakistan, pinoy, indon, at the end, taliban still wins.....
2023-08-04 18:35
Since that government was not able to provide those basic needs, they kicked out that government/old system.
In 1776, the Declaration of Independence...they severed the ties with the British...Thomas Jefferson.
He proposed life, liberty and happiness...what books he read.
2023-08-04 18:40
If the largest rice choose PAS, what can Malaysian do to help? Nothing lah. The largest rice turn to strict fundamental religion principles because Ummo eats too much mo ney, can not be trusted. Largest rice believes strict fundamental religion principles can cure our nation ill health. How can we help to change the largest rice beliefs in Pas???
Above is the main reason why the largest rice supports Pas. Do you understand???
Kids Siang does not know why largest rice chooses Pas? Or Kids Siang doesn’t want to tell the largest rice that Pas is also ko rup, because Pas will say Kid Siang is anti Green Wave government. So Kid Siang can only beating around the bushes… talking unimportant examples which the largest rice can not relate to. How???
2023-08-04 18:54
Modi India is a democracy it's also oppression of minority Muslims by majority Hindus......it's a failure of Gandhi india
2023-08-04 19:12
Don't think too much...let the malays do the thinking the Chinese just do the eating
2023-08-04 19:17
I just read...the median income of KL Selangor is 10000 rgt a month. 10000 a month can survive la...below that then susah
2023-08-04 19:20
If people want to vote green wave, it's tribal instincts.....I think it's not possible to fight tribal instinct with logical arguments... America tries but also fails
2023-08-04 20:04
The author needs to be able to differentiate between state and federal issues. Most if not all his grouses are related to federal matters. As for state, we'll need to look at the development and progress of the state and infrastructure. How is the corruption level and do we/our children need to move to other states to look for work and you'll have your answer to which party to vote for.
2023-08-04 21:45
Ma, my team lost, I don't want to watch anymore. Sounds like a crybaby who thinks that 1 vote every few years will change things. People like this dream of a good life by voting, but don't actively contribute other times. If more people give up standing for justice when it is difficult, or too scared to speak against evil, will society get better? To not vote is not a stand to make to be heard. If everyone like you doesn't vote but at closing time, 1 vote was cast, it is still a win!! If you want to just sit down and do nothing to protest and be heard, go do a hunger strike. If you don't participate in democracy, what else is left? Wake up! Political slogans are not promises. When there is no majority, then negotiation is the alternative. Duh, simple like that also you don't know. For a sure win, vote for a dictator; a dictator sure wins, and everyone else loses. Sounds like you are not a real PH supporter, more like a mole to discourage PH supporters.
2023-08-04 23:06
As if we have had superb governments since independence.
Pirate and samseng kampung themed governance.
2023-08-04 23:19
if matured democracies cannot work for voters, what make u think developing country democracies can work for voters?
2023-08-05 00:23
Market outlook already Positive (+) for the outcome... investors are smart, with so much FDI coming in. They also know whats up... i would be surprised if there is a different outlook ...
those that wan to cause instability and shake our economy ... better sell all ur stakes if u believe so !! This is the best out of the most improbable
2023-08-05 01:32
Now it depends on how PH Unity government helps the largest rice. If can’t help the largest rice, then they will vote for Pn.
2023-08-05 11:15
how do you expect PH to form the federal government without coalition partners? The author needs to answer this question.
2023-08-05 11:35
Eh…bodoh, Zahid bukan Calon la , banggang! Kamu undi utk Negeri kamu, bukan persekutuan!! Aku x faham Kenapa kamu boleh tolelasi air Milo 33 tahun takde di Negeri kamu dan REE dicuri berjuta juta ringgit di Kedah sebab Zahid! Bodoh! Kamu x undi kamu hancurkan Nasib cucu Negeri kamu la, bukan persekutuan. Persekutuan x de kaitan dgn Negeri kamu!
2023-08-05 19:10
You know why Nik Amar Pas Kelatan and Sanusi Kedahlove you not to vote, because they can steal more!!! + tanah Terengganu 29.50 juta ringgit telah senyap senyap pindah ke tangan isteri menteri Besar Terengganu, kamu x undi kamu bagi dia peluang terus Terang curi lagi!! Bodoh!!
2023-08-05 19:13
PMX sedang tangkap 2 menteri Besar Negeri + timbalan menteri Besar Peringkatan National, hang pula halang PMX tangkap mereka. Apa bodohnya kamu sebab Kebodohan kamu!! X guna otak guna EMOSI bodoh !
2023-08-05 19:18
Michael Sah, you asked....."PH-BN and PN are like the devil and the deep blue sea. Explain to me why I need to vote again? How do I know that my vote will not be hijacked and manipulated again if I decide to go to the polls on Aug 12?"
I am probably the most non political, non party affiliated person you could ever meet. I view politics, whether local or globally no more than a manipulative consensus of individuals seeking the trappings of power and influence. Occasionally you may see some individual attempting to shine a light of integrity, however it generally dims rather quickly as they get sucked up into their party's manifesto and populist policies. To even attempt to question their party's manifesto usually ends in expulsion and they soon become long forgotten by the mass public.
The current noise you hear and see daily during this state election period is merely that.....noise!
The trinkets and tokens they all offer the public during this period are generally designed solely to lure the fence sitters to move towards that particular party's vote bank. Once they either get your vote or are unable to tempt you, the farce stops and you are long forgotten.
Michael, to your question on WHY you should vote in this current state election. For me the answer is simple........IDEOLOGY.
Currently Malaysia is at the crossroads, in fact many would say that it has actually gone well beyond the crossroads and might be on a path of no return. Or at least, a path that is difficult to divert from.
The choice cannot be clearer. You either vote for a party like PN, whose main component is PAS, based on seat allocations. Their policies are clear, their intentions are clear, their vision of a Malaysian future are crystal clear and not even open to discussion.
If that is the path you want to remain on and your vision of a future Malaysia aligns with them, then you should clearly vote for PN
If you are more open minded, liberal, accepting of others no matter their creed or culture, then you, in my opinion, would have no other choice than vote for the PH combo.
As I said earlier, it all boils down, in my opinion, to your own personal ideology. Make no mistake, the next five years in Malaysia's history is at a very critical tipping point and the sooner people realise that the better, then we will all know which direction we will be moving towards in the long term.
Currently I doubt anyone knows where we are headed....but one thing is for sure, your vote in the upcoming state elections and the eventual GE in around 4 years time WILL define the future generations of Malaysians.
That is WHY your vote is so important, Michael......at least in my own opinion.
2023-08-06 11:33
What is the meaning of happiness?
Thomas Jefferson said "We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.. that to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just power from the consent of the governed that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it...". Means, we ought to choose a government that can secure our Rights.
Some countries may have the rules that can put the men to jails if they had refused to vote.
2023-08-06 15:32
Interestingly, some of these founding fathers of the nation got interesting personalities, smart and well read.
He related the Declaration with "Creator", Life, men created with equal rights from the mother's womb until they committed any crime and the pursuit of Happiness.
If you want Life, it is surely more that nasi lemak with a cup of chinese tea. These can secure your Life but Life is more that that...the government can secure for us. Life/Happiness must have the content, without it men are just lifeless and they are walking on the street but empty inside the soul.
2023-08-06 15:38
Those from these United Colonies solemnly published and declared that they absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown and then that all political connection between them and Great Britain ought to be dissolved. Meaning they severed the relation with GB.
Before they have signed the Declaration, it said "and with the support of this Declaration, with a firm (not a double minded one) reliance on the Protection of the Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other...", which is very interesting. Anyone who read this Declaration would ask that from who the Protection and the Divine Protection come from. The Creator, no doubt.
2023-08-06 16:10
Who want to compare those founding fathers to the recent few Presidents of USA? Needless to say, they are filthy and the Creator may not want to take a glance at them.
2023-08-06 16:15
qqq47660
America wasted trillions lots of lives not helping them but destroying afganistan
2023-08-04 13:25