Patriotism & PA2011.

If there is one thing I have learned from travelling, it is that leaving my homeland makes me prouder of my nationality. I reckon it's human tendency to take things for granted when things are presented right in front of us. I must admit, I take my citizenship for granted. Back home, politicians debate about whether we should regard ourselves as nationality first or race first. Think about it, if I weren't in Malaysia, would I go around telling people I'm Chinese Malaysian? I don't even do it when I'm home, what more abroad. Since being in the UK, I don't recall ever being this proud to tell people I am a Malaysian, born and bred in Malaysia (despite having being asked numerous times if I am from China or Hong Kong). I have never felt more patriotic watching the Malaysian Harimau Muda play in the Sea Games finals, beating Indonesia to a thrilling, heart stopping penalty kick-off that they eventually came to winning. Nothing tops that feeling, really.

Perhaps all politicians should be sent abroad, to a foreign land to learn just how much there is to love about our home country aside from the power play and the circus-like behaviour. I may be in the UK, but it pierces my heart to read updates from home about things like the hastened passing of the Public Assembly Bill in Parliament despite the respectable efforts of lawyers and everyone who showed up for the Walk4Freedom. Somehow, the politicians seem somewhat blinded by the whole party politics that the people they supposedly represent appear somewhat non-existent. The bill was passed in Parliament with a 137-0 votes because the opposition MPs walked out with the reason that only three of their speakers were allowed to debate on the bill. Fine, but does that mean they deserve the right to act like a child, throw a tantrum and leave the debate without even attempting to vote against the bill? What do they prove to the people who voted them? That they would wave the white flag every time they know they are outnumbered? To surrender without a fight? The 137 government MPs on the other hand, voted unanimously in favour of the bill. Really? Among all 137 of them, none of them had any hesitance or thought that the bill might be a little too repressive on the liberty of the people? None of them felt the need to raise any concerns at all? Or was it merely raising the hand when everyone's hands were up?

So we have on one end, very obedient followers, and on the other, a bunch of walkaways who give up without a battle. Does that make our jobs as voters any easier? I don't think so. Patriotism almost seems too far-fetched now. Decisions seem to be made in order to keep power where it is now, not the people's voice or opinions. If an election was called now, I'd predict a hike in the spoilt votes. A huge hike, I reckon.

I hope things do get better by the time I am old enough to vote, but since it is only four months away, I am not keeping my hopes very high. A girl can dream.


Loves,
Ee Ping.