Change we need

I guess the word of the year must be CHANGE.

As Barrack Obama made his way to the White House as the 44th U.S. president, beating his Republican rival, John McCain, change seems to be the word which captivates everyone and makes unstoppable waves everywhere.

The Opposition DAP for instance in the March 8 general election chose “Change” as its theme song from a popular pop song in the 1980’S which captivated the soul and mind of the voters, especially the young ones.

And indeed it created waves when Barisan Nasional was hit by political tsunami which saw its two third majorities being slashed with the Opposition grabbing 81 seats in Parliament and making inroads into five states.

I was having a conversation with a former state assemblyman few days ago when we talked on the current political happenings both domestic and international which included the U.S. presidential election.

Both of us had no doubt that change is imminent but the question which struck me was when this former state assemblyman asked me how to change.

A state senior politician mentioned few weeks ago that change must not be done in haste for a strong wind of change may be destructive.

Therefore, this senior politician said a breeze of cool air rather than strong wind for instance is more acceptable.

Especially after the March 8 general election, everyone from the young to the old is expecting changes in this country.

Transparency, accountability, fair and equal distribution of wealth, judiciary independence and corruption free are among the things that people are hoping to see.

This country belongs to all races and therefore everyone has a stake in the well being of this country and how it is being run as well as its future.

The young generation it seems will be the driving force to bring this country to meet the challenges be it now or in the future and it is not surprising at all that they are the one who are eager to see drastic change.

I must admit that I am also a firm believer of change and so does my bunch of friends who are full of hopes and ideals to do what they believe in.

But the thing is that most of the time, their hopes and aspirations have always been met with a stern rejection from the elders.

I guess change in a way is a painful step to take as it involves making way for something which has sentimental value or interests which one has held on for long time.

An UMNO youth leader once said the youth are just like David Beckham waiting on the bench ready to go down the pitch.

And I feel that since the David Beckhams are ready to assume larger roles, then they should be given all the opportunities and not hindrances to achieve their dreams with the guidance from the elders of course.

That would be a perfect combination of both the experienced and the eager beavers who can make positive change and take to the world like nobody’s business.

The Communist Party of China, which for over the decades is dominated by the old cadres has gone young as well when in its 17th National Congress last year, it included quite sizeable young cadres who will eventually be promoted to its powerful Politburo with the old cadres making way.

Even over in the United States, Obama mania is making waves and it was euphoric when Barrack Obama was declared the new president at the age of only 47 when in politics, some may argue that that is still a tender age.

Closer to our home country, the current serving Members of Parliament from both the divides are relatively young and this is something which has made politics more interesting to watch with these new kids on the block trying to bring change to the state of affairs of our politics and also to effect changes to this country.

Barring any circumstances, the new prime minister of Malaysia, Najib Tun Razak by virtue of him clinching the UMNO’s presidency uncontested and the newly elected MCA president, Ong Tee Keat are both considered young in their 50’s and that is something, like a friend of mine said, the people want to see.

Coming back to my conversation with the former state assemblyman, we both had come to the conclusion that change is imminent but there must be someone who is ready to effect change.

With the CNN official website screaming “Change has come to America” when Obama was declared the victor, so has change come to us then?

Sooner or later, change we need, I believe in.