MalaysiaKini Dedicate This Year 2008 To The RAKYAT...

The Year of the Rakyat

As with the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) and the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) in 2007, the general election of March 8, 2008 stamped the arrival of a new force in Malaysia.

In this, the Year of the Rakyat, Malaysians were shaken awake from deep slumber and kicked out of their comfort zone to make a conscious choice that, in turn, has shaken up the status quo.

YOU, the defiant, threw out the rotten, the corrupt and the inept in an election that was nothing short of inspiring.

YOU, the fearless, continued to press for reform and speak up against discrimination and injustice.

YOU, the marginalised, showed up with a six-year-old’s handwritten letters, teddy bears and roses to appeal to the better nature of those who have locked up husbands and fathers. When outlawed, you have refused to disappear.

YOU, the outraged, have turned up - some with young children - at weekly protests and candlelight vigils against the Internal Security Act, risking arrest in the process.

YOU, the supportive, wore T-shirts declaring ‘I’m with RPK’, paraded these before watchful eyes, and stood with blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin in his darkest moments of captivity.

YOU, the imaginative, gate-crashed the biggest party of the year - the Umno ministers’ Hari Raya ‘open house’ - to take your message to the highest leaders of the land.

YOU, the fed-up, protested the hike in fuel prices in your thousands and later, the fatwa against tomboys, albeit in a smaller number.

YOU, the brave, stood against bulldozers and barricades for days on end, resisting the demand to pay toll charges.

YOU, the indefatigable, cycled for 16 days from north and south to Kuala Lumpur, campaigning for attention to unresolved issues and impending concerns, in the face of police harassment to the last.

YOU have all sent out the unequivocal message that you are no longer spectators, but movers and shakers of the nation.

Yes, YOU are indeed worthy recipients of the Newsmaker of the Year award.

Read article in full HERE.

A truly deserving recognition to the people who have initiated this process for Change for years with their undying dedication and effort to create Awareness among the rakyat despite all the bullying tactics that were deployed against them.

The Whisperer couldn't agree more with MalaysiaKini and I would like to add that it's through walking this cause, The Whisperer has discovered the best side of him. Yes, it has been a emotional and spiritual year for me. Yet, it is not all about me. It is about how the people meet up and relate to each other through their Passion for a Better Malaysia beyond Race and Religion and against the abuse of draconian ISA. Strangers become brothers and sisters through this Oneness spirit in the Anak Bangsa Malaysia family.

And because of all that and more, The Whisperer had a truly amazing year. I wont go into the lengthy 'thank you' list. There were special ones who have made an impact or two, on my perspective towards life and the way I feel. Thank you all for all the love and support for this memorable year.

Thank you, MalaysiaKini for the Recognition which I wholeheartedly share.

Happy New 2009 Year!!