Elections not a spectator sport, you need to take part

 

Elections are a farce unless people understand the importance of voting, value the power of their vote, and vote wisely and decisively for a good government.

In the coming GE15, every voter has the chance to vote. Don't squander the opportunity. Indeed, kill two birds with one stone - get a new, honest government and let the law jail the brazenly corrupt.

Election Day is when voters are supreme. It is when they can make or break a government. The groundswell of hatred for a corrupt government has been growing for many decades. Sacking a bad government is the primaeval duty of responsible voters.

In GE14, the groundswell of voter discontent saw the Pakatan Harapan romp into power. However, the joy of victory turned into sadness two years later after the infamous Sheraton Move. No one ought to be surprised because that's what the ‘devils we know’ do - deceive and be deceived by one another.

Patience will be rewarded come GE15. The fruit is ripe for harvesting.

The groundswell of resentment has not dissipated. It will culminate in a change of regime if those who want reform work hard to ensure the right candidates clinch electoral victory. Change is critical, otherwise, Malaysia will die a slow death being bled by the corrupt.

The Harapan coalition has another shot at goal. It can win again and once and for all send the team of corrupt players packing. Brazen corruption will then come to an end and hopefully endemic corruption too.

But before there can be a victory and celebration, every concerned citizen has to support the ‘people's team’.

7 things you can do

Here are seven things we can do to make it a true people's general election.

First, get involved. Elections are not a spectator sport. Every voter has to decide to vote for the good guys competing against the bad guys. Turn up to vote on election day.

Second, convince the lazy, the ‘couldn't care less’, the cynical, and the irresponsible to vote. In every general election, many do not vote. Yet found among them are those who complain about corrupt politicians and an incompetent government and how tough life has become for them. As many as possible of such people should be convinced to vote out the cause of their hardship. Get the message out. Be an apologist for good government. It matters.

Vote out the corrupt

Third, form a cell group of like-minded voters to convince others to vote out the corrupt. Organise your own mini-ceramah in homes and educate the masses. Get the information from your busy local candidate and help campaign for him or her. Convert spectators into activists and voters, and convince cynics to believe their future is hope in change.

Fourth, set a target for the number of people you want to vote for Harapan. Get your cell group to set bigger group targets. Use social media. Use every legitimate means possible. You don't even need to leave your home to be an activist for change. Let your fingers do the walking and talking by using modern technology.

PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli

PKR leader Rafizi Ramli reckons if the voter turnout is good, regime change will occur. So, get the voters out. Before GE14, I told a young Chinese man about a Malay man who took time off work to campaign for change. The Malay man's anger and enthusiasm were infectious. The Chinese man confessed he had not registered to vote but ashamedly promised to vote in future.

Fifth, on polling day, ensure those who need help get to the polling booths. Check with those in your circle of influence that they have voted. Vote early first yourself and rally others to follow your example. Spend the day getting others to vote. Get busy once in five years for your country. It is a worthy investment.

Sixth, elections cost money. Talk to your local candidate and find out what needs to be done. If necessary, help print and distribute leaflets, go door-knocking, etc. Vote with your money, time and effort. You will not regret you made the diligent efforts and personal sacrifice to save your country. Many are already doing that and kudos to them.

Seventh, for believers, fast and pray for God to remove the corrupt and replace them with ethical, honest and competent politicians in government. Prayer works miracles and faith moves mountains.

Make GE15 their ‘Waterloo’

The day of reckoning for the corrupt, the treacherous and the liars is at hand. Make GE15 their 'Waterloo'.

I received a WhatsApp post from People's Parliament founder Haris Ibrahim. I multiplied it among my circle of friends. I urged them to do the same. Haris, whom I have not met, is an amazing Malaysian. Though battling cancer, he is a picture of resolute activism and personal sacrifice in getting his 'ABU' point across.

Haris Ibrahim

'Asalkan Bukan Umno', a clever idea he created, - and now includes 'Anyone But Untrustworthy' - is his effective catchphrase. Pray for Haris as much as for the nation. Let's hope we can celebrate with him after GE15.

In GE13 and GE14, many Malaysians abroad went home to vote. Now that postal voting is available, they can register to vote. Every vote counts in an election.

For all its flaws of gerrymandering and malapportionment, it can backfire if 'fixed deposit' voters do a backflip and vote against the brazenly corrupt.

Soon the campaigning will be over and the die cast on polling day. Now is the time to act to secure the crucial votes for a change of government.

You have to be plain stupid to vote for anyone who steals from you and destroys your country and pretends to be a leader for all when he steals from all.

I reiterate. GE15 is not a spectator spectacle. It is the time to act. Do something, anything, to rid the nation of the corrupt. Or for the next five years, grovel in pain. - Mkini

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STEVE OH is a firm believer that people get the honest government they want if they work hard for it.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.