To be deceived by the details right in front of one, so that one cannot see the big picture or recognize the essence of a problem. To not be able to see the forest through the trees.
“Did you know that they’re also going to hand out RM300 as ang pau money besides the 5 kg of rice?” the older woman asked her younger companion enthusiastically.
This morning I was enjoying a bowl of porridge at a stall inside the wet-market near my house when I overheard this conversation.
Both women were eyeing for a place to sit down as they were also there for the porridge. Since I sat all by myself at a large table, they decided to sit at the same table too. But I do not know either of them.
They were talking about all the goodies promised to them because Chinese New Year is coming soon and so too, the general election. What a better time than this festival to fish for votes among the Chinese voters?
“Yes, I’ve heard about it too but I think it is only for those above 65 years of age,” the younger woman replied regretfully. She continued, “I’m not 65 yet, so I don’t qualified for the ang pau and bag of rice but hopefully, they will give out the RM500 before the Chinese New Year.”
Their porridge came and they began to tuck into the warm and delicious breakfast.
“You know, last week, some young people came to my area and asked if there is any repairing we need for our houses – fixing the doors, windows, ceilings or gates for us, all free of charge,” the younger woman told her friend.
“Wow, so good ah? I hope my area will also get the same offer soon. Not bad, not bad, at least they know how to win our hearts,” the older woman replied, nodding her head satisfactorily.
Although 500,000 people had turned up in Kuala Lumpur more than a week ago to voice their dissatisfaction, there are some simple-minded folks around who could be easily won over by little crumbs thrown at their feet.
RM100 for their grandchildren, RM500 for their children, RM300 and a bag of 5 kg rice for themselves are all it takes to buy their alliance.
Aunty, both of you’ve missed the forest for the trees, I wish I can tell them this but of course I held back my tongue, for civility sake.
Luckily for us all, a lot of us are beginning to see the wider picture and are no longer so simple with our demands.
I don’t need an ang pau or a bag of rice. I don’t need anyone to help me repair my broken window.
I need people who can solve bigger problems - revive the economy, restore the judiciary, bring down the crime rate, stop the corruptions, upgrade our education and so on and so forth.
Show them we are the bosses. Show them we are the taxpayers. Show them we are the voters.
Make them sweat for our votes. Make them work hard for our votes. Make them earn our votes.
How about you?
Is your vote easy to get? Or is it very expensive like mine?
The same thing is happening in my town. Before the first BR1M. many Chinese aunties were not happy with BN, saying it did not deserve their votes. After receiving the first round and a host of goodies last CNY, these simple minded ladies commented that the BN was good and kind, to give them pocket money. Now, they have gone a step further, while waiting for the second payment, they are so pleased that they now say that they won’t vote for any party except for BN! See, money talks and loudly too.
Yes, money talks and loudly too but for the ‘takers’ they have to fight with their lives to get the goodies – see how the Indians fought for the miserable rice at Semenyih on the same day of the HKR 112 rally at Stadium Merdeka.
For many parents and students, they have to stand under the hot sun and listen to hours of empty talk just to get the RM100.
We are treated worst than beggars yet there are still many ignorant aunties who are very grateful. They were successfully kept in the dark by none other than the state owned TV stations and newspapers.
Giving their votes away in exchange for a bag of rice or ang pau is tantamount to giving away their happiness for the next five years. And in the process, give ours away too if we did not come out in great numbers to counter this.
I’m not sure about other aunties, but the aunty in my house (my mum), is not fooled by the money. Perhaps she has gone through many rounds of brainwashing by her sons.
Hi Andrew,
Good for your mom that she could see the forest and not just the trees!
Yes, it’s the young people’s duty to enlighten their older folks of the real woes we are all facing now. Take them out from ignorance.
Some people will sell their mothers for a bowl of noodles.
Just like some people will sell their wives and daughters for a position or two!