Thread by @nazharun

I’m not one to engage in small talk. One of my least favourite things to do is to make small talk especially with strangers. And I’m not known to have an approchable face. But today my journey from KUL-BKI to vote, 3 strangers thought the opposite.

1. My grab driver who is an uncle from Sarawak, but voting in Klang. Asked me if I knew about Sarawak report and talked about how the country needed change. He also asked if i was for change or for status quo.

2. Some random uncle on the MRT who used to work in SG and will be voting in KJ. He offered me his seat, i declined. He ended up standing together with me. Asked me what race I was, and guessed that I was Christian and Kadazan.

2a. Told him I was a mix of many things (standard answer) and that I was Muslim. He went on and talked about how Warisan was gaining traction in Sabah, and said there was hope for change in Sabah (really?). He also asked if i did sports. He’s looking for people to play tennis.

2b. He walked with me from Muzium Negara station to KL Sentral, he wanted to take the LRT home. Offered to carry down my bag down the flight of stairs. “Wah, you so small also can carry so heavy.” It wasn’t heavy pun guys. Before parting ways he told me I was a very nice girl.

3. An Auntie who just came back from her niece’s wedding in Bali. She and her husband’s flight from DPS was delayed so they missed their flight KUL-BKI. They were lucky enough to get seats on the last flight out of KUL. “Kalau tidak mungkin lambat vote oh besok!” she said.

3a. This auntie will be voting in Luyang. Kept telling me that Sabah needs change. Malaysia needs change. She said it’s not for the older generation but for me (the younger ppl). Said this was the last chance for change. “For five years only bah, if mot good tukar la balik.”

3b. Said now bukan macam dulu. Dulu bagus, dia bilang. Money was 1 to 1. Now the MYR is so small, she said. Compared M’sia to SG and pointed out that a small country with no resources has so much money. “It’s the management of the country.”

3c. Side-tracked a bit and talked about her trip to Bali. She’s been there once before, 10 years ago. But said she won’t return. Bad traffic, she says, rugi hire driver but spend most of the time stuck in jam. Also said sunset seafood dinner at Jimbaran was not worth it.

3d. She said sunsets in KK so much prettier and seafood a lot fresher and cheaper. She wanted to take the set for one, but her husband said to her “you want to go holiday oso stingy ah?” so they ordered set for 2 pax 😂 but they didnt finish the food cos tidak sedap.

3e. Also talked about hot seat Penampang. Mandela vs Darrel. He said Mandela is good man, young, handsome. Good campaign. “But sayang oh, dia BN ba. Kalau dia opposition, dia manang tu.”

3e. Auntie sat next to me till the seatbelt sign went off. Then her husband came and said there was an empty seat next to him. We shaked hands, said see you again, and she reminded me to vote wisely.

I guess it’s the strong patriotic spirit that has got people very excited for #GE14. It’s nice to see. Whoever you choose to vote, whatever your reason may be, let’s just hope for the best for this beautiful place we call home. Happy Polling Day, Malaysia 🇲🇾

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