BLACK 505: One moment in time for Malaysians - the last chance to stand up for themselves?

Whitney Houston’s song “One Moment in Time” perhaps best sums up the gargantuan momentum that is being showcased in the Blackout 505 rallies – with tiny Perlis being its latest ‘wow’ phenomena.

Up to this day, since the close of GE-13, we are witnessing the undeniable swelling crowds of tens of thousands at these rallies all throughout the country. Certainly there is a BIG picture taking root. And this, no force can rule out, suppress or even attempt to annihilate. And if they do, it will be at their own loss.

The spirit of the masses can best be alluded to in Whitney’s song:

Each day I live

I want to be

A day to give

The best of me

I'm only one

But not alone

My finest day

Is yet unknown

The citizens are emerging and converging all across the country – come pelting rain, or roaring thunderstorm, to express their hope for this nation. To miss out this BIG picture 'meaning’ behind the gatherings is to deny citizens their rightful role in patriotism for King and nation.

I broke my heart

Fought every gain

To taste the sweet

I face the pain

I rise and fall

Yet through it all

This much remains

As they make the time to be out in droves when they could be huddled in the comforts of their homes, couched before the idiot box, it means sacrifice for the good of all citizens, king and nation. It means the kind of hope that Whitney tried to capture in the lyrics of her song:

I want one moment in time

When I'm more than I thought I could be

When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away

And the answers are all up to me

Give me one moment in time

When I'm racing with destiny

Then in that one moment of time

I will feel

I will feel eternity

Yes, the Blackout 505 will have to be (not by maneuvered force but by volition) a full blown experience that must at some point culminate in crowning glory. In all likelihood, the mega-Blackout 505 planned for 22 June might just be the one significant moment - that "One Moment in Time".

In fact the entire nation is already abuzz pregnant with hopeful talk from warongs to corporate corridors similar to the sentiments as captured in the song, i.e. When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away.

I've lived to be

The very best

I want it all

No time for less

I've laid the plans

Now lay the chance

Here in my hands

When you chat up with the people gathering at these rallies, you cannot miss that common thread of thinking and feeling that seems to draw each and every one of them out into the open – wearing some black on them, and standing up attention to sing the national anthem with such passion and magnetic connectivity. It appears to be a commitment to be a part of a future that they can all be proud of for generations to come - just like our forefathers who earned Merdeka for us.

But unfortunately there are still forces-that-be that cannot recognize that the people all across the country, cutting across race, religion and socio-economic class and age divides are converging with those sentiments as best expressed in Whitney’s lyrics:

Give me one moment in time

When I'm more than I thought I could be

When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away

And the answers are all up to me

Give me one moment in time

When I'm racing with destiny

Then in that one moment of time

I will feel

I will feel eternity

However if the UMNO-BN party alliances want to be a part of that tidal wave and be also crowned as You're a winner for a lifetime then they must race against time to seize that "One Moment in Time” if they too want to “Make it Shine”.

But let honesty prevail - can they be contrite enough to face up to it? However, it appears that the prince and politician, Tengku Razaleigh’s recent sojourn with the protesting BN MPs might just give UMNO lama that last saving grace.

Why?

Because as in that song One Moment in Time, the spirit of the people says it all very clearly:

Give me one moment in time

When I'm more than I thought I could be

When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away

And the answers are all up to me

Give me one moment in time

When I'm racing with destiny

Then in that one moment of time

I will be

I will be

I will be free

I will be

I will be free

Yes, the BIG picture of the Blackout 505 rallies is all about being FREE – about freeing this nation from corrupt ways; about returning democracy in all its pristine glory untainted, beginning with clean and fair general elections; about returning to the Rulers their Constitutional glory and our loyalty uncompromised; about being a one nation for one people called Malaysians.

If the power brokers and their paid peddlers continue to see Blackout 505 as a threat and keep attempting to give it unwarranted labels like ‘security threat’, ‘opposition ploy’, ‘chaos’, ‘foreign agents’, ‘out to topple the government’ and the likes, then the Blackout 505 will only get tougher for the enemies of the citizens of this country.

A defining day

In a nutshell, Blackout 505 on 22 June 2013 is bound to be a defining phase for this nation. If we try to deny that reality, we are fools blinded by our own insecurities.

For certain, Malaysians are a peaceful lot, disciplined and able to bite the bullet when the situation demands. This has been proven time and time again throughout all the previous rallies involving tens of thousands of citizens congregating against all odds – be it imposed by man or nature.

It is no more a pre-election campaign fever. It is about honor, integrity and determination to make this nation a model for the region, an inspiration for the troubled world.

And so, Whitney Houston’s song One Moment in Time would serve most edifying for the doubters, skeptics, blinkered fools and of course for all those who are dead bent in continuing with the legacy of fast fading regimes around the world.

MAILBAG