FMT LETTER
From Dr Chris Anthony, via e-mail
On Jan 23, 2012, Chinese all over the world celebrated first day in their Lunar year of the Dragon. The dragon is the highest-ranking animal in the Chinese animal hierarchy, strongly associated at one time with the Chinese Emperor and hence power and majesty. The dragon may be a mythological animal but even today the it is still recognised and revered as a symbol of power, strength and good luck.
The year of the dragon may come once in 12 years but the Dragon of 2012 comes only once in our lifetime. It is the most important one not for just the Chinese but for all Malaysians, as the most critical 13GE will be held before the end of this year.
During this year we will arrive at the crossroads when we will be faced with the most important decision of choosing the right people to form our government. It is a decision that will have to be made with great wisdom, discern and courage as it will have tremendous bearing on our future and the destiny of our beloved nation.
All previous elections were mere endorsement of the ruling party to continue to govern, as we did not have a choice. This is the first time in the history of our nation that we are faced with the possibility of changing the government and it depends on the power bestowed in our hands as citizens.
This is due to the high level of maturity and wisdom of the people who are highly critical and want a government that is more people oriented and its leaders willing to serve the people more than serve themselves and their families.
They want a government that can put an end to corruption, better manage the economy, ensure a fairer distribution of the nation’s wealth, more tolerant to freedom of expression and put a stop to the race politics.
In order to stop the rot in the country, we need change. This change can only come about with great courage on the part of the people. We hope the people will gain that courage of the dragon to vote for change, a change that will enable the realisation of their dreams for the dawn of a better future for all.
As we go about to welcome this year of the dragon, let us create the awareness among our friends and relatives for the urgent need for change come the 13GE. Let us put aside all our differences for the time being and unite as Malaysians to the right thing at the most defining moment in our history, the 13GE.
The Dragon may be a symbol of power and courage but the real power to change is not with the mythological dragon or any other external force but is with us and we alone can harness that power to the fullest.
A Happy & prosperous Chinese New Year
