By EeLing Wong

KUALA LUMPUR — I used to think…
… the government? They’re not that bad… as long as my pockets are
full, live in nice digs, have a fancy ride, my stomach never goes hungry
and I still have spare change to indulge in shoes, handbags, pedicures
and a vacation now and then… let’s not rock the boat. Reformasi?
Protest? Aiya… what for? Cause traffic jam only!
… Me vote? Nah… Nobody deserves my vote — not the opposition, nor the
ruling party. As long as I can continue to do my thing, can afford my
indulgences, the government can continue to do theirs. Not happy with
the government? We complain only lor, but truth be told, better the
devil you know, than the devil you don’t.
… The rampant corruption? Aiya, if you want things to happen fast,
have to pay more lor. After all, I’m as much to blame for the RM50 ‘kopi
duit’ for speeding. Else have to go balai polis to pay saman… very mah
fan lah. I’d rather bri.. err… pay ‘up front’… !
So what changed?
Was it March 2008 — while the opposition gained momentum, I was at
home, keeping tabs on the election on TV, with a tinge of regret that I
wasn’t part of that. Was it Bersih 2.0, when I was glued to the
computer, reading the whole thing on the sidelines, watching YouTube,
with a pang of envy for those who had the tenacity to join the protest.
Secretly admiring their courage, but thinking “Wah.. some people so
brave hor. But it’s not my thing lah. Some people can do it, some can’t,
and I’m of the latter”.
So what changed indeed??
Perhaps it was the incessant cases of corruption and cows, of
submarines and bombs, porn-star ministers and mistresses getting
millions? Perhaps it was the victory in Penang, my home state and the
good that Lim Guan Eng has done that made me think — change is and can
be good. We can make a difference.
So, come 428, Bersih 3.0, with two other friends and her mother and
brother, we decided to go. Honestly, I was there, on a whim, more than a
compulsion, caught up in the frenzy of the Bersih fever. To say I went
for the next generation would be very altruistic, but a lie. I have no
children of my own to ‘leave’ the country to. To say it was for the
millions of face-less rakyat, would just be politically correct at the
very most.
At 428, the aftermath, sitting in Dang Wangi LRT station, waiting for
train services to resume, having had my first experience of tear gas, I
pondered on this. What on earth compelled this puteri-lilin to
participate in Bersih 3.0. — to have braved the hot sun (yes, this
puteri slathered layers of sunblock to protect the skin!), then take the
LRT (probably my second time) and walk amongst the large crowd, all
smelly and sweaty, feeling hungry and thirsty and get stung by tear gas.
Was it worth it?
Well, yes it was!
Singing “Negara Ku”, chanting the Bersih football song in the true
muhibah fashion, the camaraderie of people, was exhilarating, no doubt.
But something awoke from within — a renewed pride in myself. I proved to
no one, but myself, ME… that there was more to this shallow
shoe-junkie, designer-bag-totting siew-cheh. Not so deep within, that
sense of social justice, to right the wrong, to support all that is fair
and good, to demand for fairness and equality was burning embers
within.
You could say I found myself, rather, I surprised myself! I now know I
am not the lembik, tidak-apa individual, typical of most. I will no
longer stay silent. When the push comes to a shove, even with water
cannons and tear gas thrown in, even if I am afraid, I will fight for
the cause, defend my rights, because, I CAN. And I WILL stand tall
amongst my fellow Malaysians, and be counted.
It is quite liberating!
I say this, not as self-praise. But to think… if one as come-what-may
tidak-apa as me, can awake from my apathetic mode and indignantly jump
off the proverbial fence to take a stand, wow… what more the others.
Now, I understand the fervent passion of my more politically inclined
friends.
Together, a strong force, we shall be. We, the rakyat will reclaim
our sovereignty. We demand a government that serves its people, not make
servants of them. We will demand for the elections to be di-Bersihkan
so the people’s choice can prevail. We will vote for a prime minister
who is a true leader, with integrity and honour.
… and while we reclaim our nation, this reformed tidak-apa siew-cheh
with her new found courage, will wrestle that limited-edition turquoise
ostrich Birkin off you-know-who’s pudgy arms!
HIDUP RAKYAT. HIDUP BERSIH!