In support of Nik Nazmi in N32 Seri Setia

Nik Nazmi was founding editor of youth webzine, SuaraAnum where I got to know him through a letter I wrote. I introduced his site to my daughter, Cheng, who sent an article on UUCA, which was published.

It was a quirk of fate that the article helped Cheng to gain admission into University of Essex for Politics and International Relations.

Excerpt from my blog post dated June 30, 2006:

“In retrospect, I was surprised my suggestion, that she forward an article which she wrote to the now defunct website, SuaraAnum, criticizing the Universities and University Colleges Act, was so effective that the Admission Officer changed his mind within 24 hours, saying: “I enjoyed reading your letter enormously and believe that it illustrates both your commitment and ability to study politics.”I can still remember asking her why she could not wait till the next day to appeal as she was already dressed to go to work at the Japanese restaurant in Nikko Hotel. She replied that she had to get it done immediately. What a fateful decision it turned out to be! When she returned from work late that night, she checked her email and exclaimed that she was accepted! When the Admissions Officer mentioned that he was due to go on a one-year sabbatical the following day, we could not believe our luck! Would the person taking over his position have reconsidered her case favourably?”

When in UK, Cheng got in touch with Nik who held the post of Vice Chair Information in UKEC and he asked her to be his assistant. He recommended her to take over the post the following year.

For the simple reason that Nik could have chosen a shortcut to better prospects via Umno a la Khairy, instead of struggling with the opposition, I admire him. He had his problems with his sponsors because of activities involving opposition leaders like Anwar Ibrahim. My daughter’s dislike for being questioned by the Malaysian Students’ Department because of her involvement with organizing seminars, again, involving ‘blacklisted’ leaders like Anwar, and Prof. Ramasamy, reinforced her disdain against our government’s way of controlling the students and the people in a sham democracy. Lest anyone reading this think that I am influencing her, she will consider it as an insult to her intelligence!

I believe Nik is part of a movement for change towards equality among the races in Malaysia. This growing phenomenon is worrying Umno because of its inherent racism and they have become increasingly defensive. So long as the official policy favours the poor regardless of race, there is nothing wrong with it. What we are against is the abuse of NEP favouring a select self-serving few in the name of race, neglecting the intended group.

I hope the constituents in Seri Setia will vote for Nik Nazmi in his debut and his noble quest to improve our political system and to provide good governance.

Today’s young ADUNs and MPs will be our country’s future leaders. Please judge them by their principles and personal integrity, but for now, give Nik a chance to prove himself.