An Unplanned Journey

Since I saw the advertisement, I'd always have the urge of wanting to go. Such an opportunity to meet great leaders and listen to their speech - something that I should not missed. Ever since I've learned about jamaah Islamiyah, I have become more aware on politics. Politics are part of religion, it cannot be separated and we cannot just ignore it.

This year, PR won the popular votes but BN won the majority votes. Yet the majority governs the country. Unlike in many other countries, popular and majority votes are won by the same party.

It was a quite busy day. I left home straight after work with empty stomach. I was so keen to attend the forum, so at the last minute I got myself ready and drove to the venue. Traffic was smooth. I arrived around 8.35pm. The hall was half occupied. I chose a seat on the right wing. Sitting with the Chinese, Indians and Malays, I felt no other than comfortable. I saw a few people approaching the panelists for autograph and photos.They were YB Zairil and YB Ong Kean Ming. 8.40pm, YAB Lim Guan Eng arrived with big applause. Looking smart in his white-black batik suit. He gave a good opening speech.  He stopped his speech to welcome the other two panelists who just arrived from Selangor. Dr Zulkifly Ahmad, the think tank of PAS and YB Rafizi Ramli of PKR, who received the loudest applause. Everyone in the hall know him and like him most. Majority of the audience were Chinese. At this time, the hall was super occupied. Extra chairs were arranged at each available space.

The funny part is when we were told that they actually invited the SPR Chairman as the fifth panelist but he did not reply. So his seat was empty. Seeing YB Zairil live for the first time - good looking Malay with Chinese look. He joined DAP in 2010 and became the youngest in the Committee (forgot the name). He speaks good Malay, anyway. YB Ong from Parlimen Serdang. He presented some statistics regarding the last GE and revealed some stories to us. Then came YB Rafizi Ramli - such a jaw opening presentation. He graduated from UK, worked in Petronas for several years and travelled to 34 countries before. He received the most attention from audience. Everyone respects him, regardless of race and religion. He has good public relation skills. Lastly, Dr Zulkilfly Ahmad, someone I've long wanted to see. He did not make it to defend his seat in Kuala Selangor by small majority. His speech was too bombastic - many phrases that are too high level for me to understand, like a philosophical languange. I had to leave the hall in the middle of his speech anyway, as time was getting late.

Such a beneficial forum which I will not miss in the future. Now I know more about the leaders in my country, regardless of their political stand.

The poster

Chief Minister

The Panelists. Notice the empty seat at the end?