I woke up at 7 something this morning, even earlier than the usual working days. I showered and freshened up, took my trusted Canon 400D and went to the polling station just a couple kilometers away from my house. It was going to be my first time voting. I was as anxious as the first day of school.
find out your stream here
Fittingly, the polling station is at a school. There were already quite a number of people when I reached the station. I went to the checking station to find out that which stream I will be casting my ballot. It was a pretty fast process.
waiting in line
There were lines everywhere but the situation was in order and everyone behaved rather well. No shouting, no chantings, it was very quiet, and the process proceed without a hitch.
waiting in reflection, election 2008
When it was my turn, I gave the lady my IC. My IC number and my name was announced for checking, and I was given 2 tickets to put my precious crosses in. I duly did so and carefully put them in the ballot boxes. I’ve done my part.
register and get your tickets
Before leaving the station, I talked to a policeman and thank him for doing his part. He was friendly and even posed for this photo. We do have a future, don’t we?
smile, you’re on camera!
As I walked towards my car, I took this photo of expired banners and buntings with fellow voters leaving the station upon fulfilling their duty. I can’t help but be anxious for the result tonight.
If you are registered but haven’t voted yet, please do so. As of writing you still have 5 hours.
More photos at my flickr set.
Every 4-5 years, we, Malaysians, will get to decide where the country is heading for the next term.
I am ashame to say that although I am a qualified voter since 2 terms ago, this is only the first time I am going to cast my ballot. I have SK to thank for bringing me to the Postal office for registration last September.
I was in the States and thus not able to vote on the 10th General Election. 4 years ago, there was the feel good factor, coupled with my laziness to register as a voter that prevented me from doing my part in this country. This year, I am doing it, and my vote will count.
I have slowly realized that the voting is not only a right, but a responsibility. A responsibility we shall honor for the sake of our countrymen and our motherland. Like it or not, I am born in this country and this is my home, I have a responsibility for her well being. I need to do my bit.
There are a few categories of people whom aren’t going to vote for one reasons or another. Some are too lazy, some don’t care, and some scared of the repercussions they might get if they vote against the power that be. Whatever your reason is, I respect your decision, but I might not be in agreement with you. It is sad to see people succumbed to the class bully, the scare tactic should not be effective in a democracy.
To those who will be voting, let our voice be heard.
Whoever you are going to vote for, vote wisely, vote for someone whom you think can give you a voice, can represent you, and can help move our country back to the right direction for I am saddened to see that she is veering a little off course now.
I will be very anxious this weekend.
remember remember, 8th of March
ballots, flyers, but no ink
to the casting stations let us rush
and let the real representative wins..
Last weekend we headed to Kampung Baru in KL to capture some election colors. On the side note, election is this weekend, please do vote and vote wisely. The worse thing you can do is to give up the most basic of our democratic right. I am ashamed to say that this would be the first time I go to the ballet box due to being overseas and so on, but it’s a start. Assess the candidates and parties carefully, and make your choice, every vote counts.
As it turned out, I only managed to snap something like a roll of pictures before the rain pours, but here goes:
Color Imbalance
It was also one of Kim’s first photography trips and I must say she has an eye for this thing! Check out her post on the trip.
The whole area was filled with banners, mostly of the ruling party and some of the opposition. It is sad to say that in this country, we still have to resort to putting candidates of the same race (and sometimes same sex) against each other. But hopefully change to the better is on the way.
Stare Cock
If I vote for you, will you buy me a motorbike?
Kampung Baru is one of the very few real kampungs left in the city of KL. Located just a stone’s throw away from the bustling KLCC, here you find people living a much simpler life. With roosters still roaming the streets and houses built just good enough to have a shade under the sun and rain.
Welcome to my Home
For the old folks, evening is spent chilling with friends and having a good time. No sense of urgency, no rushing for deadlines, no hunting for more gold.
Relax and Laughters
In a city with more toll ways than rivers, many folks here still rely on motorcycles and bicycles as their primary transport, getting them from A to B. Of course, there is also an LRT station just around the corner transporting them to a very different world just a single station away. It is truly a time machine more than an underground tube.
Clinging On
Kampung folks are also usually a lot friendlier. I took the opportunity to snap a picture of this chubby kid at the restaurant. I think he was confused, this is the world he lives in, we are the visitors.
The boy will grow up to inherit the country from our generation, and it is us that must make a choice to give them what they deserve.
What’re you looking at?
I hope you enjoy this series. Thank you for viewing.
That’s right, I registered to be a voter! After all, it was only a day short of 50th Merdeka, and I figure it’s about time I fulfill my civic duty to participate in this democratic process. I’ve already missed a couple elections when I was in the States, even though I was old enough to vote.
Thanks to the young and almost influential blogger SK Thew who actually drove me to the post office to finally get this done. Coincidentally, FA also did the same thing one day prior to me!
It’s about time to do it too if you haven’t register yourself to be a voter already. The process is simple and fast, took me only a few minutes at the post office. Do note that it takes 3 months to be effective (as a way to prevent voter movements, or something)
finally registered as a voter!
p/s: Wikipedia actually has a good entry on elections in Malaysia.
