My experience with the ADUNI had been given the privilege this summer holiday to spend most of my days with Hannah and her political posse. I wanted to be a part of her political mechanism to see society in a different light, and experience what I’ve thus far learnt in politics books and lectures.
With this opportunity, I was able to meet influential figures in Malaysian politics, to sit in on cases and complaints that needed urgent attending to and also some complaints that needed to be directed elsewhere. I’ve met people of whom I’ve lived amongst all my life here in Subang Jaya and people who don’t really live within the constituency but were looking for a helping hand. I saw ways in which Hannah’s position could be highly significant, and how it could marginalized. The dynamics between Hannah, her assistants and her constituents that I was exposed to was encouraging in a sense that it was a priority to simply help all Malaysians; people in need were not defined by the colour of their skin, and nor were the people volunteering shunned in accordance to race. We sometimes forget that it is an honour to have such different cultural and religious influences to guide our society; most of time we use these differences to pit against each other. My experience at the ADUN’s office reminded me of how important it is to embrace being different and how these differences ultimately make us similar, i.e. Malaysian.
I experienced the obligation carried by Hannah and her assistants to better her constituency. It is a big burden to any person who decides to take on the role of governing a large group of people who don’t necessarily know how the system works or why it works the way it does. It isn’t a privilege to be in politics, but the community can sometimes be privileged when a proper and obliged leader is elected to keep the machinery of governance moving smoothly and cleanly. It is because of this simple fact that I feel Malaysians and specifically my peers, who are sometimes reluctant or apathetic towards politics, should take a more proactive stance; to vote when necessary and lend a hand when need be. It doesn’t take much to be a part of politics, and the smallest gesture can make a world of difference.
What I’ve taken away from my experience is the knowledge of the effort, patience and gratification that comes with community governance and politics in general. From the sidelines, I saw the muck that needs to be dealt with, and a system that is in dire need of reformation. I came to a realization that change cannot happen in an instant and that it is irrational to expect it to happen in such a short period of time, especially in nine months. But change is possible, and that in itself is something to look forward to and even more so to be a part of.
This is my team of staff and volunteers. My dream team – a truly Malaysian team. Personally, I do not believe in serving or speaking up just for one particular race. We live in the year 2009. I grew up loving people for their characters, personalities and strengths – not their skin colour. This is the reason why me and my team believe and will continue to champion the cause of Malaysians, and not of any one particular race. Malaysians must walk their talk, there are many who value unity but elect leaders who only champion a racial cause. This hypocrisy at the ballot box must end. We saw how the change has begun in 2008 but this change has not come and gone. We’re in the midst of change now. The youth of this nation must prove that we do not need a Malaysian Indian, a Malaysian Chinese or a United Malay leader. We need a Malaysian leader to lead our children in years to come.