Surprise? Perhaps not..

For all Malaysians, yesterday the 8th of March marked an incredibly interesting day, to say the least. Our 12th General Elections produced surprising results. The BN's winning streak has certainly continued, but with humongous 'cuts'.

Who would have thought that the Opposition could emerge in such strength this time around? Who would have expected the People's voices to drown out the 'invincibility' of BN, who has stood almost unopposed for over 40 years? Political tsunami, one newspaper describes it.

Is it, really? The stirrings of discontent amongst the people of Malaysia have up to now been in muffled whispers. The components within BN who were 'supposed' to represent the voices of the various races appear not to have caught those whispers. The whispers grew to a crescendo yesterday. The whispers became a united roar. Unsurprisingly, many top guns within these components, namely the MCA and MIC and of course, the Gerakan, fell like bowling pins.

One leader within the abovementioned components expressed surprise at the heavy losses the ruling coalition BN suffered. As a whole, the entire BN was taken aback at the losses. I was told that they had planned a victory party in PWTC even before the results were announced. Talk about counting chickens, eh? The question, though, is whether all this is surprising. Is it?

Personally I don't think so. It appears that the Government has grown complacent over the years. Promises were made to stamp out corruption. And look where we are now. The top guy within the police anti-corruption force was investigated by the ACA. (I believe that was his post, if I'm wrong, forgive me). Politicians have been engrossed in fattening themselves instead of performing their duties to the People. Silly rules have been made on silly whims. Unnecessary and burdensome legislation. Sexist remarks, racist remarks, and in some cases, keris-wielding.

Even the media was suppressed, which in my opinion, is terribly silly. If I were to open the paper everyday and find 99 articles about BN and 1 article about the Opposition hidden away in some obscure corner, would I be stupid enough to assume that the Opposition is not saying anything? Am I supposed to be ignorant enough to foolishly get drawn into this propaganda? No, certainly not. And I believe many of my fellow Malaysians are not as well.

I know the Christians for one were praying around the clock for these elections. Churches, CFs, cell groups. Concern for this nation drew diverse groups together. The NECF had a programme where people would pray around the clock for the future of this nation.

Yesterday, God answered. Yesterday, it was proven without a doubt that in a split second, everything can change. Yesterday, the political monopoly was broken. Yesterday, this country got a second chance.

Today, a new dawn arises. What will happen in the next few weeks, months and years? Will the Opposition in its stronger position now do what they have promised? Will this country get another shot at truly becoming the nation it was meant to be? The nation that every nation was meant to be? Where truth, justice and morality prevail? That is yet to be seen.

So stand firm, fellow Malaysians. Yesterday we voted for integrity and justice. We voted against complacency. We voted against corruption and crime. We voted against monopolies. We voted for the future. Gone are the days when we could sit comfortably in our comfort zones. Gone are the days when we could just live for ourselves. You and I were made for more than that. Let us relinquish our self-seeking. Let us forget our differences and selfishness. Let us put aside our differences, and join hands across denominations, ages, races and religions for a better tomorrow.

Let us stand for what we hold true. Let us stand