A lawyer chronicles her adventures as a political campaigner for Parti Keadilan Rakyat in the Hulu-Selangor by-election that took place yesterday, April 25, 2010.
(Day 1): Armour, Shield, & Sword
(Day 4): Restless & Ruminating
(Day 5): Cruising the Sleepy Hollow
Day (6): Of Hand Kissing and Drinking
Day (9): In the Hands of Hulu Selangorians
Day 10: Hulu Selangorians Have Decided
I asked a friend yesterday about our chances of winning today; he thought that we will win if a miracle happens. And it looked like a miracle did not happen.
The last I checked the results, before knowing the final results, was when PKR was leading by a 1,000 majority at 7.oop.m. The next I checked, it was the final results and Barisan had won by 1,725. I had received a text message from a friend who is a Barisan party member inviting the clique of friends (including me) to a mamak near our place and also not forgetting that he is in “bizarrely” great mood and that drinks are on him.
I had expected the lost, but feeling upset about it is still inevitable. Hulu Selangorians have decided and they are not ready for us.
Insults hurled from our side that Barisan had been buying votes and that the Malays are blind. Despite the heartbreak, I do not think that is necessary. It is hard, I must say, not to be bitter about the lost but an effort must be made by us not to be. There are messages telling us to fight on and not to whine about it and move on, but I’d like to take my time to recover.
I know that there are many of these disappointments expected if we are in this for the long run. I am sure I will get used to it in time and giving up is not an option. I am aware that change does not happen overnight. Soon enough, I will dry my tears and start the race again.
I hope P. Kamalanathan (YB now) will prove us wrong by not just being a yes-man to UMNO but instead, be the voice for the people who gave him the mandate. I hope he will make Hulu Selangor a better place – that he will be able to create more job opportunities and better street lighting. It is sad that we only find out how much needs to be done in a place like Hulu Selangor when a Member of Parliament passes away.
Moving forward, there is Sibu to look out for but ultimately, in about three years time the big one comes again. To those who have never cast their votes (and I know who some of you are), I hope you might change your mind, for true democracy requires each and every one of us to act on our inaction.
Road leading to Felda Soeharto that has no street lights
The small houses at Felda Soeharto
The crowd yesterday that would be disappointed today
LoyarBurok Note: Read more from Eunice at her blog.
Posted on 26 April 2010. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.
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