‘Operasi balik kampung’ – V.Vivegavalen

There is only so much corruption, abuse of power and gross mismanagement a country can undergo before collapsing.

Malaysia, unfortunately, is on her knees.

For nigh on seven years since the political tsunami of 2008, you have ferociously fought for change.

The rise of social media means today, news is shared instantaneously. The role of "keyboard activism" has taken a greater form and urban Malaysia has finally awoken.

However, therein lies the problem.

Urban Malaysians form approximately 35% of Malaysia. The rest, rural seats. If we were to analyse the 13th general election, the war was lost on the front of rural seats.

Only 47% voted for Barisan Nasional and yet they formed government. How?

Gerrymandering means manipulating the electoral boundaries to favour one party.

For instance, Gelang Patah had nearly 100,000 voters equating to one parliamentary seat whereas Padang Rengas had 28,000 voters equating to the same one seat.

What this means is a grouping together of urban and non-urban voters into clusters favouring the incumbent. The question now is can we beat them at their own game?

Yes, we can.

Malaysia's history tells us that often when the incumbent is threatened, they begin an "operasi" or "projek" of sorts to re-establish the balance of scales.

Ops Lalang was used to capture opposition members. The infamous Project IC saw alleged reports of thousands of foreigners being given Malaysian IC to vote.

This is where you, the common man and woman come into play. Hari Raya Aidilftiri is less than two weeks away.

Every single Malaysian who will be travelling back to their hometown especially towards rural seats must engage with "Ops Balik Kampung".

The power of dissemination of information cannot be underestimated. Now you may ask, who doesn't know about 1MDB?

My response to you isn't the issue of 1MDB but rather it's implications on country and on the rural people of Malaysia.

They must be made to understand that this country is struggling to stay afloat and they hold the power to make the difference.

That if they remain idle and fixed in their ways, there will come a time when BR1M, cash payouts and groceries once every five years will no longer suffice for them to live.

You have this power.

Even if it means spending an extra 15 minutes with your grandparents who are slower to understand or uncles and aunties who think better the devil known, make the conscious effort to educate them on the seriousness of the situation.

How can you do this?

Utilise the tools which are readily available. Head over to websites such as Bersih.org and UndiMsia.com for infographics that is easier to understand.

They contain various information on electoral fraud, voter rights, citizen empowerment and crucially, what can be done to save Malaysia.

Many will think, what can one vote do? Some will think, they are too old or too fixed in their ways.

I say, if one million Malaysians engage this, Malaysia's future can and will change.

If you think the effort is too much, then remember, your generation tomorrow is going to bear the burden of today.

* V.Vivegavalen reads The Malaysian Insider.