The Rice Bowl is no longer our god

As I read of the overwhelming support given by the Chinese in Bukit Gantang to Nizar during the by-election campaign, I kept wondering whether it will translate into votes. After all, the Chinese were also very supportive of the Pas candidate in Kuala Trengganu by-election a few months back, but that didn't really translate into votes. Of course, various reasons were given. But I cannot help but to conclude that, their (Chinese) rice bowls became the paramount consideration when they voted.

To the Chinese, the rice bowl is sacred. As long as we can 'cari makan'(earn a living), we will not want to 'kacau' (disturb). But woe to those who take away our rice bowls. In fact, the Chinese word for 'rice' is made up of the radical for 'rice' and the word 'rebel' or 'rebellion'. So when the radical 'rice' is removed, all that remains is the word 'rebel' or 'rebellion'. Throughout Chinese history, peasants uprisings were common phenomena. Peasants who literally no longer have anything to eat. Any emperor who took away the rice bowls of the common folks will no longer have the mandate from Heaven to rule.

Well, coming back to Bukit Gantang, I was worried that the same thing could happened. In an earlier post, I mentioned that my friend told me that there were businessmen from Batu Gajah who want PR to give up on its claim to the state government as the political instability is taking a toll on their businesses. Well, I must apologize to the Chinese folks in Bukit Gantang to have second guessed them. I salute all of you for standing up to what is right despite the threats made to your livelihood. (Read about Kuala Sepetang fishermen being harassed here).

Recently, my brother-in-law who has applied to become a Singapore citizen told me that there are more and more Malaysians Chinese giving up their Malaysian citizenship to become Singapore citizens. The waiting period for approval has now stretched to almost 5 months from a few weeks previously. I was really disheartened. Yes, things may not look promising and I'm not even sure when we are going to see the light at the end of the tunnel. But last night we have seen light shining from the two hills. Malaysia is just too valuable for us to turn our backs on as I echoed Zaid Ibrahim. Stay back, stay put.

Remove the rice bowl from the altar of your heart. Continue to fight for a land that will not only flow with milk and honey but justice and righteousness as well.