COUNTDOWN TO BERSIH 3.0: 5 DAYS

Two open letters to all Malaysian papas and mamas, written by a concerned civil society citizen and also a loving mother, Angie Ng:

To mamas who worry about papas going to BERSIH 3.0 Duduk Bantah:

It was one fine day. Suddenly, your loving husband who always comes home in time for dinner, a good father who always cares for the kids told you that he will be joining Bersih 3.0. You were shocked! For goodness sake! You said. “Don’t you remember how they shoot people with tear gas, and the chemical laced water? And more than 1000 people were arrested during Bersih 2.0? What if something happens to you? What about me and the kids? The rally will still go on without you; they won’t know the difference... Just don’t go and stay away from trouble!”

We know you love your husband, and you hope he understands your concern, know your thoughts. However, have you try look into his thoughts to find out what is in his mind? Last year’s BERSIH 2.0, you saw him wept in front of his computer. Why? He was touched to see how Malaysians stood up, hand-in-hand, regardless of their status and skin colour. He saw how people stood up as Malaysians to brave the tear gas, water cannon and FRUs. He got goosebumps when he heard people singing “Negaraku” that day. He has been singing “Negaraku” since he first learnt the song. But he never realizes that the lyric is so meaningful and beautiful when we sing it out loud with love for your country. That moment, he wasn’t happy at all for staying at home comfortably in front of his computer. He was sad for not standing there, fighting with fellow Malaysians for a better future!

Those who sprayed by water cannon, they have wives, parents and families too. Some even left a will for their families. If anything happens to himself, his wife or his family shall take care of his business. They were afraid too! But still, they stood proudly in front of tear gas and water cannon. That moment, did you know that your husband was so ashamed for not able to be there?

He decided to join this coming BERSIH 3.0. He did it for you, for your kids, for the place he called HOME. With all the corruptions and the abuse of powers, we all longed for change in this country. However, we can’t do it through a dirty and bias election. Take a look at our beautiful country. We can’t afford her to be contaminated by radioactive waste, and we can’t raise our children in such a place! We have no choice. We can’t do it alone, but with each and every one of us, many grains of sands can sink the ship.

Instead of telling him not to join BERSIH 3.0, join him for the walk, hand-in-hand, for the sake of your children’s future. This is way more meaningful compared to an expensive candle light dinner. If you are not willing to go, I sincerely hope that you can support his determination. Make him a flask of herbal tea, or a bottle of water; prepare a small towel and a nice cap for him to bring to Dataran Merdeka. Give him a big hug at the door, tell him that he is your hero and your children will be proud of him. Ask him to be careful and stay safe for the sake of you and your children. And you’ll cook him a nice meal when he comes back.

Believe me, he will be the happiest man in the world, because of you -- the most understanding wife in the world!

To papas who worry about mamas going to Bersih 3.0 Duduk Bantah:

We all know why BERSIH 3.0 must happen. You read newspaper every day, watch the news on TV every night, you should know why. At home, your wife busy running around, taking care of everyone at home, make sure the kids are well fed, making sure the kids have enough clothing to keep them warm, battling to get rid of all the dusts in every corner of the house. She is doing everything she can to take care of her family, and give them all the love she has.

All of sudden, she began to be aware and concern about this country. All of sudden, she said she is joining the BERSIH 3.0 rally on 28th April. You probably do not understand why. Wasn’t she aware of how dangerous it could be? Wasn’t she afraid of being caught? She must be crazy! She must be brain washed by those friends she met on Facebook! She is just too naive and too impulsive!

Well, probably you ARE NOT aware of this: She IS aware of the risks; how things might turn ugly on that day. But she also knows that this country is on her way to be a failing state when election becomes dirty and highly dangerous industries make our country their radioactive waste dump site. Of course she is afraid of getting caught! But she also fears that, in the future, her children will be detained under draconian laws without any reason! She also fears her children will lose their freedom of speech and their freedom to gather peacefully! These reasons are more than enough for a mother to take to the street!

If you say she is brain-washed by her friends. You are definitely hurting her feelings. You love her, you married her, you know her and you admire her… Do you really think she is such an ignoranct woman, who can’t think independently, make decisions, and take a STAND for the future of her children and their children to come?

Trust her. Even if you don’t, please let her take a day off, so she can go out to do something she feels is correct. When she returns, you’ll know that she is not just an ordinary housewife. She is wise and she has vision. You should feel proud that she is not some “tai-tais” who only ask her husband to buy her expensive handbags.

Thank you for being an understanding husband.

[Original post in mandarin can be viewed here:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1166677825#!/notes/angie-ng/two-open-letters-to-all-papas-and-mamas-who-worry-about-going-to-bersih-30-duduk/10150661134036710]

This English text is a translation by SAN JIUN

Dear Mamas and Papas…..

you have global company!