Last Monday, I went into Lembah Pantai as usual for my journalistic duty and to find stories for my multimedia project ‘In The Heat Of Battle: The story of Lembah Pantai’.
Being the first day of the second week of campaigning, I was pretty sure that I would find some interesting stories or issues that can be talked about.
Lo and behold, I did stumble on to some interesting events. The first was the launch of BN’s candidate, Datuk Raja Nong Chik’s, Lembah Pantai report card. And the second, the people’s Malaysian Spring.
Let’s look at RNC’s event first, which took place in Lucky Garden. I thought this was an interesting campaign strategy, sort of like asking the people to evaluate him. It sounded very mesra-rakyat.
As soon as I got there, I could see many cars parked along the roads together with maybe three or four busses as well. And I could see the large marquee that had been erected.
It was, of course, filled with people of all races. And they were all very enthusiastic, clapping and cheering, waving flags and shaking party noise-makers.
Then RNC arrived and the cheers grew into shrieks and screams. I was amazed. Many of his events in the area haven’t really attracted large crowds (except for nomination day).
He shook hands, waved and sang patriotic songs as he walked amongst the crowd heading towards the stage. Once he was up on stage, he started his speech.
That was when I felt slightly surprised. The Lembah Pantai report card was really a compilation of all the things he has done and contributed to Lembah Pantai over the years.
I was expecting a report card that would involve the people, or at least an external party, evaluating the performance and then giving RNC a credible and independent ranking.
Instead, here was RNC (or his team) evaluating himself and his performance and then declaring that he has done good for the people of Lembah Pantai with much fanfare.
Then, I made a move to a different part of Lembah Pantai. This time it was a much lower key event in the heart of Taman Bukit Pantai.
The atmosphere is slightly different here. No political machinery in high gear here. Just a bunch of hardworking, ordinary Malaysians volunteering their time for a cause they believe in.
This is the Malaysian Spring movement started by a group of Lembah Pantai locals, namely architect Ng Sek San, to create awareness for the election.
Although PKR’s Nurul Izzah Anwar has adopted the movement, it is still managed, run and executed by ordinary Malaysians in Lembah Pantai (and its spreading all around the Klang Valley).
They are based in a terrace house where they prepare colourful little flags that they call ‘flowers’. And then they head out to different areas to ‘plant’ these flowers.
That night, they headed out to Kampung Kerinchi with about 2,000 plus flags and about fifteen volunteers all in good spirits.
Once planted, the flags looked quite pretty, and it sure beats the usual obtrusive and haphazardly hangings of party buntings, posters and flags everywhere.
Unfortunately, one of the volunteers called me the next day in the afternoon and told me that I should go visit the site where the flags were planted.
Everything had been cleared off and not a single flag was left there anymore. No one knows who actually came to take it all away.
So there you go, an observation from my end of two different events happening on the same night in the same Lembah Pantai area.
Although this is an opinion column, I think I shall refrain from stating my supposedly hardcore opinions in this piece. I’ll let you, the readers and viewers form your own opinion.
We are now in the final leg of the campaign period, and in just two days, we will all go to the polls. I really doubt if anyone of us still haven’t formed an opinion, right?
So, good luck to all of us Malaysians in fulfilling our responsibility to the country.
Selamat mengundi!
*Click here to view the video of both the 'Malaysian Spring' and 'Lembah Pantai Report Card Launch' video.
Zan Azlee
Thu May 02 2013
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.