My Longkang

It is the topic of conversation everywhere I go. People talk about the candidates, the candidates’ spouses, their lives, their needs, their wants, their grouses and most important they share their vision for the nation.

Successful male banker : DAP is so strong this time around. I can’t believe it. I was in Kuching and it is even more popular than before.

Female government servant : I get more and more angry when I go surfing and read up about the issues at stake in this coming election. In the past I was so ignorant and just depended on the local press.

Bumiputera election agent : Trust me. PKR is a multi-religious party. The party is fielding candidates from all races. We believe in bangsa malaysia. The candidates are mainly professionals and leaders in their own field. It is not that we want to split the opposition votes in Sarawak. We were forced to.

Part-time driving instructor : Who am I to question the destiny of the nation? ( very big words … in hockien ) Look at what I am earning and what others are earning. I just want to survive and open my own driving school one day. I will vote DAP. All my friends are doing so.

Prosperous businessman : I vote for any government that can ensure stability and a robust economy. My BN candidate ( Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chiew ) is not very good at public relations. He makes people angry with his straight talk. But he gets things done. I will vote for him.

Late twenties business executive : The opposition complains and complains. They bark but what is the end result? They should travel around the world. They think the grass is always greener on the other side. What is wrong with Sibu that we have to complain.

Late thirties female Christian : I will vote for the BN. The candidate visited my home. I promised to vote for him. Further more I am a friend of the datin.

Mid thirties male Iban : I hope this election the government will consider our needs. Our headman sent a list of our immediate development needs. We don’t ask much. Hopefully it will be granted. I believe with the opposition making ‘banyak bising’ ( lots of noise ) I am optimistic. ( banyak harapan )

Mid twenties male salesman : The time is ready for change. I know lots of things you don’t know. I surf the internet. I am a banana. I read the Borneo Post but it is so hopelessly one-sided. Whatever it says, I assume it is the other way around.

Fifteen year old boy : The candidates are all so old. I feel bored just looking at them.

Mid forties businessman : I wonder whether there will be gambling on the results on the same scale as in the previous election.

Late twenties professional : I am a liberalist. I will vote for either DAP or PKR. I cannot accept PAS brand of politics.

Early forties engineer : I found out they have changed my voting place. They didn’t inform me. Luckily I went online to check. Imagine if I found out on voting day.

Mid thirties mother of three-worker in the service industry. Ini semus orang kaya punya kerja. kalau dia bayar tambang, saya undi.

Late thirties well off entrepreneur male : There is so much I am not happy about both the opposition and the BN. I won’t bother to go to vote.

Mid-forties female government servant : I have been told as a government servant I must vote for the government. There is no choice.

Early thirties beautiful lady : There are so few posters on the streets. Even the DAP are having so few rallies. Will the BN win?

PKR candidate : Would you help me with my campaign? PKR is the wave of the future. It was not my intention to contest against Ho Leng. I am forced by circumstances.

Elderly woman : I am too old. It is difficult to leave the house.

Housewife : My husband will vote for the opposition. I will vote for the BN. Simple as that. That is my decision but he doesn’t like it.

Intellectual, male : I will cast a spoilt vote.