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Thoughts of my father and voting for change in Malaysia
theCICAK is looking for commentaries on the elections. We’re looking for conservative and liberal voices and everything in-between. If you have one, send it to write4thecicak@gmail.com
By AKMAL NASIR
A day before he passed away, my father summoned my brothers and me to his bedside. To those who were still in school, he motivated us to study hard and wished us success. To the older ones, he told them to care for our mother and younger brothers. He wanted them to help create opportunities for the younger ones, so all of us would succeed through adversity. I will never forget what would be his last conversation with us.
Throughout his life, my father had never asked for help. He was a police officer struggling to raise five children. While some of his colleagues fell in the tricky trap of exchanging their powers with extra income, he did not, even though he faced insurmountable challenges trying to support his family. And even so, my father never failed to lend a hand to relatives and friends who needed it. He would offer all that he had. He truly believed that our family had been blessed - we had shelter and food. It was only through my mother that I learned about the all the difficulties he encountered.
But I don’t think what my family experienced was unique. We, as Malaysians, understand many hardships. And it’s unfortunate and very sad that some of our representatives who are supposed to help us, act as though we owe them.
What irks me are their policies that deny Malaysians from advancing.
We should realize that the country is heading in the wrong direction when politicians and the enforcement use bribery to advance themselves and when they thrive on cronyism. We should know that something is terribly wrong and that we need to change course when we can no longer trust our judiciary system.
In the wake of this struggle, I know of one person who’s capable of creating a momentum … Click here for the full article!
Challenge politicians to respond to YouTube videos!
We at theCICAK want to conduct an experiment in bridging the gap between Malaysian politicians and youth.
And we’re making a RM100 bet.
Post up a video of yourself on youtube.com - with a short message for any local politician. Ask a question. Raise an idea.
Don’t just say your piece - Seek a RESPONSE.
We’ll give you RM100 if your video is the first YouTube video to get a YouTube recorded response from a local politician.
Let’s find out if a local politician responds before the general election and you’ll know who’s really listening to the youth of Malaysia and engaging us on OUR terms.
To take up the bet, email us the YouTube video you created. If you get a video response, email to us as well… write4thecicak (at) gmail (dot) com
NOTE:You must be a Malaysian 35 and under, based in Malaysia or even out of the country. theCICAK will not be held responsible for any content hosted on the youtube.com network. The bet expires after elections.
Featured Site: MalaysiaVotes.com
Where can you go for news on the elections that will not be covered by the Malaysian mainstream press?
Cindy Tham, Danny Lim and Jacqueline Ann Surin combine their collective training and experience as seasoned journalists to give you news about the main issues that the nation is grappling with.
Comment and contribute at MalaysiaVotes.com now!
How to vote: Picture guide for first-time Malaysian voters
By WONG CHIN HUAT
For those who have never cast a ballot, here’s a a guide. The photos are from the 2004 general elections.
Step 1: When you arrive at a polling station, which is usually a school, you will most probably be led to the election council booth to check your polling stream. This does not happen if you live in a very small polling district (with only a few hundred electorates), which has only one stream.
Step 2: You will then proceed to … Click here for the full article!
Part 2: Creating a new manifesto for Malaysia
Editor’s Note: theCICAK is looking for writers who are interested to interpret parts of the constitution. If you are interested to analyze and provide examples for your opinion, please shoot us an e-mail at write4thecicak@gmail.com.
Image by Tres, Creative Commons
By ARIVIND ABRAHAM
Social Policy
I’m talking education, health, quality of life, these bread and butter issues. Yes, the NEP is at the heart of this, and it is one tough nut to crack.
Again, what if we could all build a manifesto in which we can outline what we can do better than BN. Perhaps cutting edge universal health care is a possibility? A shift away from preferences being given on a race quota basis to one that is means tested. Malay, Chinese or Indian, if you’re poor you get help.
We need some of our brightest Malay minds to … Click here for the full article!
It’s on! Fellow Malaysians, let’s rock the vote
Image from gotellmama.org
By KEITH LEONG
With the dissolution of the Malaysian Parliament, the months of speculation as to when our nation will have its 12th General Election is finally over.
To all Malaysians who are registered to vote, whoever you are, wherever you are and whatever your political orientation is, I hope you will turn out in force to exercise your rights and responsibilities as citizens by voting when the time comes.
Democracy is a beautiful thing, especially when … Click here for the full article!
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