My Longkang

Character : 77 year old Chinese lady with many children and grandchildren.

Ah Moo : Thank you for coming. I have been so busy. Chinese New Year. My heart is not as it was. My legs hurt sometimes. I get tired easily. Please take home this bottle of acar and packets of keropok from Mukah. Have you registered to vote?

Bengbeng: Huh?

Ah Moo : I heard it will be soon. I never miss voting. My son will come pick me up as always. I still read the newsapers every day. I have nothing to do. It used to be my husband accompanies me for voting but now my son accompanies me.

We have a government who doesn’t care for its people. On the other hand, we have an opposition who nobody pays attention to. What choice do I have in elections? At least my son will come and accompany me for a few hours.

Bengbeng : Why do you vote? It is so difficult for you and especially your son when you have to leave the house.

Ah Moo : My husband used to do it because he believes in our rights as a citizen. I believe in them. This is one of the few remaining rights I have as an elderly woman. My right to vote. I don’t care for my future any more. I don’t worry for the future of my children. They are also old already. It is the grandchildren I am concerned about.

I wonder what life will be like for me when I join the ranks of the elderly. I imagine in my mind her visions of Malaysia in her sheltered world are 100% influenced by the local media and to her anything published is the absolute truth. Will she have total access to the truth before she casts her ballot? How do I explain to her there is an alternative media through the internet? Does she even understand the internet? She lives alone with her maid