April 11, 2013
| Praba Ganesan is Parti Keadilan Rakyat's Social Media Strategist. He wants to engage with you, and learn from your viewpoints. You can contact him at prabaganesan@hotmail.com or follow him on Twitter @prabaganesan |
APRIL 11 — By the time one leader is summoned to the palace by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on May 6 to be sworn in as prime minister, much drama would have unfolded and a chapter of Malaysian history written... whichever way things conclude.
Too much has happened for the political climate of the day to return to the old ways; the old ways are long dead and buried, it does not make any difference if you were not invited or aware of the funeral. This country is being dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century, albeit belatedly.
That's the big picture, the one everyone will remember; large rallies, colours and vote tallies.
There is a story which extends beyond the 222 parliamentary seats and their results. I want to talk about that extension.
The election worker.
They who are the heartbeat of participatory democracy in a country where one has to jump through hoops to support a cause separate from the government of the day.
She lived in a low-rise building
C tried to slip in past the electronic gate at our headquarters two days ago. She runs an educational centre for young children and wanted to get some flags.
She told me that she wanted flags and banners for her low-rise building facing a highway. Apparently it was strategic and most of the members of her residents' association were inclined to Pakatan Rakyat. It amazes me that people are always surprised when I tell them that there are no free flags and buntings just lying around the office for people to pick up and use.
Parties in Malaysia live two realities: To rule and have almost everything, or trying to rule while having little. C like many Malaysians thought there would be so much to be shared with the public. I want to, but flags cost money.
I said the respective candidates received a small quota of paraphernalia and that the rest was determined by the fundraising of the candidate. Democratic process, as far as Pakatan is concerned, is paid for by the conviction of the rakyat. Fortunately, her MP was in the building, so I got them acquainted. He'll be sending her flags.
C is just one of the hundreds of volunteers I have come across in the last few months. In the preceding week there have been a large influx of volunteers stepping forward and starting the conversation by these words — the one all operators live to listen to — "How can I help Pakatan win?"
I want to help you, stranger
Though the stories are plain, the willingness of people who've never met a party leader or been courted by one, showing up and stand up to count is a sight to behold.
Three such people stood outside my office for half an hour last week. I only knew one of them prior, someone who approached me last year over a column I wrote. The other two were his friends, and they had come to see what they could do.
They listened patiently and then politely asked to take some of these tasks off my plate. They are completing a production and would have discussed another effort last night.
I'm a guy on the phone
Working in communications, short of using smoke signals, we are constantly trying to talk to people using any means possible.
They — my bosses — are busy and important people who are trying to get 1,800 things done at the same time without the support someone of their stature deserves. Resource starvation is a key component of Barisan Nasional's hegemony. The guy against you can't send you a protest if he's run out of ink.
I usually use patience and kicking my own shin intermittently to wait out for a response, even for the most cursory of things. It is your willingness that keeps you going. If you know me, you'd realise that my "willingness" factor usually shoots past the stratosphere.
Then there are the close supporters. Those who stick up for the people I wait on. And in the past month, hundreds have been activated. They are juggling their lives — job and family — to a personal commitment, helping their man win votes in a one-sided electoral exercise.
And as they are activated, they are gathering from the HQ to state offices to the respective campaign centres. There are approximately 400 state and parliamentary contests for PKR, and even if each race had minimum staffing it would still be a small army of volunteers.
This election will probably have the most number of unpaid volunteers for political parties ever, and it may be the biggest challenge for Pakatan parties, to turn the tide of people into a force to reckon. It is a bit like hiring everyone in Walmart at one go and expecting everyone to be chirpy and together for the cause within a week.
But if they do, like how so many strangers came together during Bersih, then watch out BN.
My ex-students
It has always been my distinct privilege to have trained some of the most exceptional minds in the country when I was a debate trainer. The thrill of seeing someone rationalise ideas better because you have shared insight with them in itself is a reward that one continues to hold as a real achievement.
For so many of them to choose to volunteer at my unit has been a massive lift to me through some of the toughest weeks over the last two years.
The absolute chaos and ambiguous landscape which is Parti Keadilan — features that also underline why the party is likely to succeed at the general election — must be a universe away from the profitable, structured and success-filled industries they are from.
But more and more of them are chipping in, and my sense of gratitude grows by the day.
A band of brothers
There are part-time insurance sellers, realty agents, transporters, tech entrepreneurs and more.
But my favourite is my vegetable seller. He studied finance, carried on the family business in the wet market and has given me inaccurate election dates over the last two years. But his passion for change is strong, his insight to why moral leadership must outweigh the practical.
He's been worried for me these last weeks. He thinks all who work for the opposition are at risk. I hope for my sake he is wrong.
But he said to me to keep working and not worry about getting to the market anymore, he'd just send it over to my place. And if I am arrested, he'll send supplies to my home uninterrupted till I get out. "We settle when you come out lah."
I like the confidence in me, I worry about the prognosis though.
Still, it is flattering to know so many Malaysians care and want to do something. While the stress and deadlines mount, I'll not stop realising that I am with so many and our band is growing.
We are not alone anymore.
* This is the personal opinion of the columnist.
The Malaysian Insider :: Food
KUALA LUMPUR, April 12 ― Sometimes the most satisfying dishes are made using the most simple ingredients. The ingredients of this soup come from humble backgrounds, and are easily available to everyone ... Read More 
NILAI, 11 April — Tempoh berkempen 15 hari yang ditetapkan Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR) bagi Pilihan Raya Umum ke-13 (PRU-13) adalah satu tempoh yang amat sesuai bagi mengelak ketegangan dalam masyarakat.
Bekas Perdana Menteri Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (gambar) berkata jika tempoh lebih lama diberikan oleh SPR, ia mungkin akan menimbulkan perasaan membara dalam kalangan penyokong atau pengundi sehingga boleh mencetuskan suasana huru-hara.