I’m currently sitting at UTC Kuala Lumpur to replace my Identification Card and Driver’s license. UTC is the brain child of the current government, the very government that is going into an election this coming Wednesday, thid 9th of May, 2018. The Urban Transformation Centre fulfils the ideals of bringing more ease to the regular people, but it’s far from the truth. It’s made it easier, yes, but the mentality and running of the place suggests otherwise. And like all Malaysians, I dread doing anything that involves public service. It’s a process that just frustrates the public endlessly with its nonsensical rules and utter disregard to convenience, efficiency and professionalism. Although it is my birth right as a Malaysian, I feel far from it.
I recently had the misfortune of losing my wallet, containing what you can only imagine the most important things needed in today’s fast paced world. It was also pay day, so I took the liberty to withdraw more money to settle some bills and stock up on some necessities. I swear it could be constituted as an accident however you want to justify it. But my wallet got stolen and it happens. Upset and saddened by the incident – I set out to try and replace whatever needed replacement. I chose not too dwell. I went ahead and made my report and cancelled my cards. The money I lost, although a lot, I accepted with bittersweetness. At least I was not robbed or hurt and I still had my phone. That’s a pretty good consolation.
Today, I rushed after training to replace my identification card simply because I want to vote. You needed your ID to be eligible on voting day. The fear of losing the ability to vote at the cusp of the most memorable election of the country flared the flames of urgency even more. I forgot about the inconvenience and the pain of losing important documents for I had a greater aim in sight, and that is the participation in the choosing of the next government.
I swear to you all, I did not go to the police station to report my missing wallet because I knew I could be spared of the fine imposed for losing my ID, although knowing full well that many people abuse the system to avoid spending RM100 more to replace it. I went because I genuinely believed that my case was a case, no matter how silly and ridiculous as long as I was honest. But when I went to JPN (Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara), the national registry was placed with workers who seemed more keen to go on their dinner break then attend to the people. Unkindly, the officer told me it was a ‘kecuaian’, meaning a mistake and I was to pay the fine. Asking for a reconsideration, the bigger boss behind the counter barely gave my case the light of day, insisting it was my fault and making me feel as though I was taking up too much of their time and couldn’t care anymore than usual protocol and SOP. They did their subpar but sufficient job and that was it.
My first reaction was to get angry. ‘How could this be fair?’ I asked. Surely no one ever wants to lose their wallet. It’s not a choice. Then the disappointment begins to set in. ‘Is this the system that I have to be a part of?’ It is so cold and unkind. Finally, a dread and acceptance of the fact that life in Malaysia is such. I paid up and the officers grumbled as I made my way through the exit. It was nearing 7pm and that means they were tired of waiting another second.
It’s not a big thing to be angry about, you may think. But I’m angry because I was quick in the retreat to defeat because I accepted that’s just the way things are around here. I am tired of this, tired of being served by a government that does nothing but make my life more difficult unnecessarily. But I am not served. I am forced to accept this subpar governance and service and expected to be satisfied and grateful with it. Sometimes I feel like I am a shadow that will never catch the light of day. I feel I may never amount to much because I am struggling to survive with the high costs of living. I conceded that perhaps some things I grew up wanting and believing I could have like my parents did – a good job and to have a family is merely not possible. All those are just ideas, and my reality is one of a hungry stomach and an unfair rule.
But as I gave in to the defeat today, I did not lose. I will only give in to the system to abuse me one more time, and perhaps after the election, the last time. I must do whatever it takes to vote, no matter what it costs. My country might have forsaken me, my countrymen may have given up hope at their own homeland. But I shall not yield. My love for the country burns bright and stronger than before. For most may think the country needs them, but I know I need my country more. For it is my home and the land of my beloved and I wouldn’t give it up, even if it was for the world.
So I end this post by wishing happy voting day to all Malaysians. Perhaps after Wednesday we could really say, we did our part, even though it’s just a little. But the time is now. The greatest fight Malaysia will ever see is not one against the world, but the one against the very people who have been robbing us while we try to make an honest living and stripping our potential as an individual, a community, a country. So I say: Ini kali lah. Let’s show them what we’ve got.
