Since I don't have a damn clue to write in my blog today before I hit the road and head to my lovely wife, I think I'm just gonna cut and paste what I wrote during the GE a couple of days back.

"Everytime you criticise anything in this country, you're considered unpatriotic or you have no love for the for the country."

This line of thinking is not new in this country. The ruling party has been for many years pushing the line that we have to be thankful for all their contributions to the country and hence by virtue of that have to vote them in. This logic is flawed. Here's why.

The first thing that many must remember is that politicians who serve this country are individuals who are being paid to do a job. They are public servants. Hence, Khir Toyo is a servant to the rakyat. Pak Lah is a servant to the rakyat. Haji Hadi is a servant to the rakyat. They should be listening to us, and not the other way round. We pay them to get the job done. Malaysians have to understand that respect is not something given by virtue of one being elected to a seat but by ensuring that they earn it.

Secondly, Malaysians must understand that if a politician provides the essentials, he is doing nothing but what he is paid to do. BN is paid by the people to rule the country. Access to health and education is a human right. Access to accomodation and a decent life is a basic requirement. It is the job of the politicians to ensure that these things get to the people. Hence, when low cost flats are built, it is not Satu Lagi Projek Oleh Kerajaan Barisan Nasional. It's a project funded by the Malaysian taxpayer. It's not funded by Badawi. It's not funded by BN. It's not funded by UMNO. It's funded by the keropok lekor seller at the corner of Jalan Burhanuddin Helmi, the teacher who is always having problems making ends meet and by the koay teow seller who drives a Waja. We do not have to be grateful to political parties who are only doing what they are paid to do.

WE however will be grateful to politicians who:

1. Make it a point to visit their constituents on a regular basis. It's an MP's job yes, but we would still be grateful if we can have an MP who shows us what he's doing from time to time and makes an extra effort to reach out. Not Just during the GE, of course!

2. Find creative means to sustainably ensure that mothers will be able to opt to stay at home for periods of up to two years to take care of their children like in Sweden. This includes providing a stay-at-home allowance and employee protection rights.

3. Who will fight to ensure minimum wages for all employees regardless of political pressure from corporations.

4. Who want to serve the country first and not fill their pockets.

Come to think of it, this is not about being an UMNO-BN, PAS, KEADILAN or DAP supporter. Come on wake up, this is our voice and rights as a Malaysian!

Posted by Wan Mohd Fahimi @ 6:19 PM