Thursday, December 31, 2009

Analyzing my Petition and Poll

I am guided by this piece of advice: Do not give up when you still have something to give.
Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying. It is a fragile thread that binds us to each other.

First of all, we must understand that most Malaysians are apathetic and they are unlikely to take part in anything unless there is something worth going for. Many people still do not use the computer, like my wife for example. For those who use, they might be surfing so many other sites interesting to them, so the chances of them visiting my blogsite, for instance, is very slim. Then, out of those who regularly visit my site, not all would participate in a petition or a poll.

Out of those whom I have sent my petition for a supportive response, I was most surprised at some who did not, despite reminders. I was really upset when one even expressed her different viewpoint (that KTMB should instead make the new station disabled friendly instead) and just refused to lend support to mine as an alternative suggestion! I was most disappointed when the disabled person who spurred me to start on the exercise, did not respond too (did not want the publicity?), which made my whole purpose futile. His case was meant to be a catalyst though my suggestion is for the benefit of all. KTMB can easily do an independent survey of the residents' opinion to see if it fits with what I have been claiming all along.

I still maintain that after me, there is unlikely to be another busy body to take up the issue, unless come the next general elections, either the Pakatan candidate for Batu Gajah or BN leaders would do so. Probably BN leaders would want to show that they could do something which the opposition could not. I honestly do not mind who does it, but please do it. The residents would be really grateful.

On the Polls, I tried my level best to let it go at its own steam (without canvassing people to do so), with myself casting the first vote in favour. I could have casted 5 votes for my family alone, but I was afraid it might affect the results if coming from the same computer. After weeks of 100% in favour, I was unfazed by a sudden 3 votes (for 'makes no difference to me') on the same day when a mischievous guy posted a comment (second time) which was in a different language (not legible in my blog, possibly in Chinese) with 'dots' each linked to a sex site. I believe it was done by the same person. Now, if we think about it, as I have mentioned earlier, most people would not bother to take part in the Petition as well as the Poll, so it would really take someone with intent to actually cast votes which showed 'indifference'! Positive apathy (for want of a better description)? Anyway, despite the 20% votes for 'Makes no difference to me', there was none who voted 'No', and I got a positive 80%. But the polls seem vulnerable to manipulation, either by me or by someone else. But I rather be an honest failure than a corrupt success in this, as well as other endeavours.

To KTMB management, I would say, 'Shame on you for not even responding to my Petition. I wish I can get a reply from someone responsible to acknowledge that they are unable to do anything about it.' Just bear in mind that whoever had earlier made the decision on the location of the new station were responsible for the 'progress or development at the expense of convenience' which was totally out of line with the people's consideration. I can only hope that whatever plans they have for the old station, be it a railway museum or a relic of the good old days, that the platform be raised to enable 'ad hoc' stops for emergency use.

To those who have supported my Petition, a big thank you and sorry for raising your hopes and disappointing all of you. I wish to thank the host of Petitiononline who had given me the opportunity to test and confirm that a nobody can never get things done in Malaysia! But I still carry the hope that someone in the near future would be able to make a difference to what I have failed to do.

Nevertheless, I wish all my visitors a very Happy New Year!


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