* * * (unedited)
Today is September 16. Is this day just a result of the "hasutan" and crazed effort of a power-hungry man? I don't believe that. Even the antichrist can't raise such emotions and turmoil alone. This is the sum of all the pain, displeasure and uncertainty brought onto us due to continuous social, political and economical mismanagement by a government plagued with not so much of incompetence than corruption. It is because we are a country blessed with such unrivalled richness in potential, yet at the same time suffering from the weight of an evil grip, suppressing and stifling the people.
I still remember having so many arguments with my parents about why are things "the way they are". Why is such injustice not only allowed constitutionally, but also accepted as a way of life that we have a responsibility to tolerate? Today I see hope again for the wronged. I see hope for change. And I can believe finally with passion that right will always triumph over wrong. Because no matter how this episode ends we have all seen the power of the people. And we have shown how the people cannot be mocked with illogical excuses and cries for blood.
I can now trust in the collective courage of the people. We are empowered. It is now our duty, as the young generation, to imbue ourselves with strengths and abilities, so we can answer to the callings of our nation when the time comes. We have a responsibility to the country. We will decide the future of the country, because it falls into our hands to make a difference in a time of transition. It is for us to build the country, to shape it into what it will be, to fulfill its latent potential, and to bring Malaysia to its destiny.
The impossible has happened. Not the election results, not the threats of racial riots, nor the gross misuse of ISA. What I see is a Cabinet Minister resigning for his principle and belief, what I see is the people throwing caution to the wind and voting for change. What I see is the people for once being truly represented by leaders who dare to voice their resentment for underhanded tactics and discrimination, even if the offence is committed by their own coalition.
Do not get me wrong. I do not see this going smoothly. Rather I see a revolution, rivaled only in our history by the fight led by MPAJA against the Japanese during WW2 and also Merdeka itself. It's my hope that the transition is smooth and painless, but such is almost wishful thinking. My guess is we will see blood and we have to be prepared for sacrifice. We must be ready to give everything and anything to the progress of the country.
This would not, however, be in the conventional sense where physical warfare will be the focus. Rather, in this time, and for us, the war lines will be drawn along multiple sectors with boundaries lining finances, media, technology and like. We have already seen the "soft" war of internet blogs and party-hopping of MPs. This will go on, but it's likely to only get "harder".
This will however, be fought over by our fathers, the older generation. Whether it'll be over by the time we are ready, no one knows. My wish is that it will. But if it doesn't, the fight must continue with us. What is sure is we are in a very special, and scary period of time in our nation's history, and we must be prepared, whether it is to wage war, or to recover and move our country forward in a post-turmoil environment.
So I'm calling for the youth to rise to this challenge. No more is it relevant to sharpen the parangs and sound the war horn. Rather, it is required of every one of us to hone our skills any aspect we do the best, and in time, these skills will be what makes the difference. Every little unremarkable trait or peculiarity you have there, that's going to contribute to the building and rehabilitation of the nation. So refine it, and polish it until it becomes not only an asset but a viable weapon in time.
We have all suffered enough. And so has everyone around us. It is now time to unite, wherever we are, and begin a long and perilous march to the birth of a truly great nation. And the first steps are already taken. It is now that we will fulfill our duty and destiny.
* * *
More effective than 3 months of National Service, don't you think?
