I think it's important for people like me — people who weren't born into a political dynasty, who don't have a fancy education or connections— to stand up and say that we care about this too.
I was inspired to write about the spirit of togetherness shown by GE's supporters who, even when exhausted and needing sleep, still gather to cheer on those installing or fixing their parties flag by the road site.
I appreciate the small, seemingly insignificant things that people make with love & care. And to some of you, I understand. You might be saying: "These people got paid to do this job!" Exactly! This is what I was saying — it was handled with love and care; no matter the reason (love for your party/island or money), it's normal.
It warms my heart knowing I live in a country celebrating harmony during election season.
I've been trying to write about politics, but I feel like every time I sit down to write, it sounds like a broken record.
As people pointed out, for you to be a successful political writer, it's paramount that you understand your intended audience. This is not just as an intellectual or political entity, but as a human being. To create an informed public discourse around politics, we need to speak from those perspectives.
It doesn't matter to me because I'm not here to prove myself to anyone.
Ultimately, I'm not a political writer. I'm just a hotelier...
Thus, if any of you are hoteliers like myself, born, raised, and educated on this island, I am sure you will understand my point.
So, being into this industry when I look at the world, it's through the lens of someone who wants to get things done, and wants to make sure that everyone is taken care of.
For me, we should be able to unite together and find solutions for everyone — for all people, no matter where they live or what their background is.
We need leadership that will help us move forward with our country — and that starts with recognizing that we need each other's help.
I know nothing about politics. And that's why I'm here today: to tell you about how important it is for us to vote in this upcoming election.
Because when we don't vote: not only do we lose our voice, but we lose our power. And that's what this election is all about — giving power back to the people who deserve it most: us!
There is no difference between winning and losing to me. The only thing I know is that this island needs to be protected, and the environment and development must be balanced.
LANGKAWI is all I have. It is my home, the place where I feel like I belong no matter where I am.
The environment is something that should be taken care of, and it's not just about protecting the island. It's about protecting ourselves.
What does it mean?
We are living on a pile of gold. A fetus of the Asia Pacific. If you are in Langkawi now, you should know that you are currently standing on the highest-vibration land full of energy and vibes of ancient cultures.
I believe that we need to balance our development with environmental protection. We can't just develop without thinking about the consequences, and we can't just protect nature from human interference without considering how our actions will affect us.
We have to be able to look at both sides of the issue and make decisions based on what's best for everyone involved.
A Millennial
I am a millennial, we are the largest community in the world, and we are the most diverse — and we are also the most rational. We value things beyond money; we value what is best for us. We transform faster than any other generation has ever done, and our ability to adapt to change is what will enable us to make a positive impact on the world economy.
We value transparency because we treat everyone equally.
We're not interested in backstabbing politics or gossip, if you have something to say — make it available online.
GE15 LANGKAWI
There was a consensus among candidates that they were here to fight with us, Langkawians, because they love this island.
But you know what? I also love the cows that are sacrificed to make my favourite meal.
I love the cows so much that I don't think I'd want them to live long lives — not when those lives could be spent making me happy. And it's not like they're getting any good out of those extra years anyway. They'd just spend them being sad about all the other cows who were slaughtered so we can eat their meat.
The only reason we don't say "I love beef" anymore is because "I love myself" is more accurate.
I've been asking myself who among those candidates would be willing to stand by our side under any circumstances.
We are blessed to have Tun Mahathir in Langkawi. His leadership is incomparable, and we adore him. However, it is unfair to other candidates who have not had the chance to prove themselves.
So I started my search. Here’s what I found:
Who is #DAS?
Datuk Armshah Siraj. Previously served as a senior private secretary for three Chief Ministers (Setiausaha Sulit Kanan) and has been actively helping the island for the past 18 months.
#DAS Interview. Video taken by myself
Here is no doubt that he is a people person. Besides being humble, #DAS was also warm, outgoing, and an excellent listener, as we were able to observe throughout our 45-minute interview with him. Being calm and knowledgeable about local current issues, sticking to his vision of being close to his community, listening, and working to resolve those issues.
His eyes light up whenever he speaks about the satisfaction he feels after solving those issues. Keep mentioning that he is not alone in working on this, other authorities and departments are also involved. It was my first impression of #DAS to see him as a fierce father figure.
He was rarely smiling, but approachable once you began chatting with him, especially when he mentioned his commitment to assisting the community.
Being able to meet him personally, free to ask all those questions... worthy of being shortlisted alongside Tun Mahathir Mohamed.
Share your experiences, dreams and hopes for #GE15 and stand a chance to win cash prizes up to RM16,500! Find out how you can participate here.
Wahida Bahar Ari is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav.
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