Malaysia Votes

In a few hours, Malaysians will wake up, have breakfast, do what they have to do, and then go to the polls. Many Malaysians will not vote, but that will be made up by the many who do not exist who cast a ballot on their behalf.

Since I am not a government sponsored student nor a staff member of a Malaysian embassy overseas (or related to one), I cannot vote from outside Malaysia. Thus I have to rely on my brothers and sisters back home to vote on my behalf, and in my interest.

There will not be a change of government, yet, but there will be a change in government. But what I hope for the most, is a change in the people.

This is a not a concession speech, but whatever happens tomorrow, whatever the numbers the Election Commission releases, this fight is only beginning. The good people who walked out to hear their potential representatives speak, or scoured the media for signs of change, or talked to their friends, called their representatives and searched their hearts for the courage to believe in change; and voted for change, must not be disheartened.

Malaysian politics did not become this diseased in one day, and it will take us longer to cure it.

Let this energy and hope be not just a flash in a pan, a momentary gamble, a risk you are willing to take once and then berate yourself when it does not succeed and forever look the other way. Do not resign yourself to inevitability, do not give up.

Support the candidates you believe in who won the honour, right and responsibility to represent you. Challenge and bring down those who abuse your name, who taint your future, who destroy your legacy. The vote is just one part of the political process; the process lives on in your voice, your pen, your hope.

I am not preparing myself, or you, to cushion a loss. I think Malaysians who dared to hope, dream and act, will win tomorrow. I think there will be change, change for the better.

But I know it is easy to get distracted, to start worrying about bills, work, traffic, relationships, weather. It's a mistake to think you've done your part; your role and right begins and ends with voting. Don't. This is just the beginning.

A new Malaysian government will be born tomorrow. You made it. Over the next few years it will grow and change. You can make that too.

It is both a great sadness and great joy to witness this election from afar. But I have hope, for the present and the future, and I am willing to act. I hope you are too.