Ponggal this year especially significant in view of Cameron polls

MP SPEAKS | In 12 days, on Jan 26, the people of Cameron Highlands will come out to vote for a representative of their choice, without fear of favour or prejudice to bring the voice of the people of Cameron Highlands, be it Malays, Indians, Orang Asli, Chinese and all others to the Dewan Rakyat - the highest body in the country where laws are debated and passed that will affect every single person in the country.

In the same vein, Malaysians will also come together tomorrow to celebrate the harvest festival Ponggal, where the riches of the earth are revered, celebrated and honoured through the hands of the men and women who so tirelessly toil to share the riches Mother Earth has to give to all.

Cameron Highlands, which has always been known as a travel destination for Malaysians and tourists, has also been one of the environmental heartlands, as well as the producers of vegetables, flowers and other green produce that has reached all corners of Malaysia.

But sadly, not only has the voice of Cameron Highlands not been heard in the Dewan Rakyat for so long under BN as compared to other parliamentary constituencies, but the longstanding issues faced by the people there have often not gained as much traction even under the MIC, PPP and Barisan Nasional.

The lack of development, injustice for the farmers, inequality suffered by the Orang Asli and the rape of the land there have been issues long forgotten and buried by the previous BN government.

This Ponggal, as cries of “Ponggalo Ponggal” sweep the land when the harvest of the earth – rice, sugar, legumes, raisins, cardamom - mixed in a clay pot with milk under the Malaysian sun, come to a boil as the pot overflows, must signify the many voices of the people who come from all walks of life calling for justice, equality, democracy, accountability and transparency for all Malaysians, leaving no one behind, in Cameron Highlands and throughout the country.

With that chant, many also say "Thai Piranthal Vazhi Pirakkum" which in Tamil translates to “the beginning of the Thai month will be the beginning for new opportunities”, and now, a new beginning for Cameron Highlands, paving a way for new prosperity, joy, good governance and righteousness.

With the call for new beginnings this Ponggal, Malaysians are rallying together with the good people of Cameron Highlands to do the impossible.

That is, to send a strong message to BN that Cameron Highlands, after years of supporting BN - that did nothing to safeguard the rights of the land to the farmers and the people, nothing to secure the rights of the Orang Asli, nothing to ensure economic and social justice for the people, nothing to protect and defend the environment - the people will now come out of the shadows, and vote for a candidate who will speak for all - for men and women, young and old, disabled, Orang Asli communities and also for the environment, to protect, preserve and defend what Mother Nature has left for us to safekeep.

I wish all Malaysians a blessed Ponggal celebration and especially for the brave people of Cameron Highlands to come out with courage and vote for your representative to be your voice in the Dewan Rakyat after decades of neglect and abandonment and oversight by BN.

"Thai piranthal, vazhi pirakkum. Ponggalo Ponggal!"

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KASTHURI PATTO is the Batu Kawan MP, Wanita DAP international secretary and Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Rights and Gender Equality member.-Mkini