What strikes me most about the events that transcended on the 8th of March 2008 wasn't the results, but the process itself.
The ability for the populace to bring down a government and replace it with another was last demonstrated, with chaotic results, in the aftermath of the 1969 elections. However, to my great satisfaction, the shifting of power this time occurred peacefully.
The idea that an ordinary person can change the government in power is alien to much of the Malaysian populace, leading to political apathy. I have many friends and colleagues who are not registered voters and the reasons given for not registering vary from "Was busy, forgot about it." to "Makes no difference."
Makes no difference? I beg to differ.
This episode should serve as a wake up call to all, that selecting the representatives who govern us is a sacred civic duty and that each individual voice makes a difference.
Democracy is thriving in this country. In short, the system works.
