Mum is 83 and had never missed voting in Malaysia’s 14 previous general elections. She is determined to keep the record going later this month.
Although she has been staying with me in Subang Jaya, Selangor, for nearly 20 years, she makes it a point to return to Seremban to cast her vote.
Usually, I would send her to the polling station, which then gives us a chance to savour the tasty dishes in our hometown.
But this year, the home minister will chauffeur mum to Seremban. I will make sure they ‘tapau’ some food for me.
Although fed up with the country’s political situation, mum and many others her age are determined to vote.
On a trip to Seremban earlier this week, I met relatives and family friends in their 70s and 80s who also expressed their desire to vote on Nov 19.
They feel it is their right and obligation to select the best leaders for the nation.
This is in stark contrast with some younger relatives and friends, who feel voting would not make a difference, as politicians do not seem to value or honour the outcome of an election.
Case in point, the Sheraton Move, and subsequently, the shenanigans that saw Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob replacing Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister, even though they were supposed to be on the same side.
It was a similar situation in Melaka last year, which saw an ‘Umno vs Umno’ battle that resulted in the state by-election last November.
As such, there are those among the younger folk who feel that instead of “wasting their time” at the polling stations, it would be better to do something more beneficial – like sleeping or going for breakfast!
They also saw that politicians are “six of one, half a dozen of the other” based on the infighting – some subtle, others quite blatant – happening in the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan coalitions.
Part of me understands their frustrations, but another part knows that every vote counts. It is not too late to change their minds as we have two weeks before the ‘big’ day.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission said there are no plans to introduce Covid-19 standard operating procedures. It also said there would be no Covid-19 screenings during polling, or the setting up of special tents for voters who tested positive.
Health director-general Tan Sri Hisham Noor Abdullah said last week, non-critical patients would be allowed to vote.
If you decide to vote, please mask up.
NOVEMBER NUMBERS NOT LOOKING GOOD
After three days in November, we have had 11,593 Covid-19 cases, including 4,711 on Thursday. That represents the highest number of infections in a single day since Aug 18 (4,071).
In October, we had 62,085 cases, up from 58,255 in September.
With Covid-19’s new variant, the XBB, already detected in Malaysia, please continue to exercise care wherever you go.
WORLD’S LONGEST PASSENGER TRAIN
Switzerland’s latest engineering feat is a 1.9km-long passenger train. The world’s longest passenger train celebrates the 175th anniversary of the country’s first train system. It travelled from Preda to Berguen.
The route passed 48 bridges, including the curving Landwasser Viaduct, and 22 tunnels, some of which wind through mountains. It was named a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2008.
FOR A GOOD CAUSE
The Cathedral of St John the Evangelist will hold a jumble sale next Sunday.
If you want to donate items, you can do so today and tomorrow.
CHOCOLATE AND SALTED PEANUT BISCUITS
I came across this recipe from journalist and food writer Nigel Slater. It looks delicious.
THE PEOPLE OF MALAYSIA
Malaysian performer Sherman Tan, now based in Lithuania, wrote ‘The People of Malaysia’ to “motivate our patriotism for a change of our country’s predicament.”
He hopes the rakyat will go out to “vote, vote, vote” on Nov 19.
Until next week, stay safe.
