A Shorter Term for Parliament

Four years sounds about right,
Four years is what I am suggesting.
Because five years can drag,
And we all don't like dragging.

Since 2008 its been
One campaign after another;
The machinery grew tired,
And then they couldn't be bothered.

In New Zealand the term is currently three
Will they get four? Who knows? Maybe?
In France Parliament sat for seven
But now it is five -- thank the heavens!


Five years following London:
An age-old English tradition;
Lets warlords build their fiefdoms
And the lazy remain complacent.

In fact the English experts say:
Four years, not five, should be the way.
Leaders stretching their term to five
Are simply trying to stay alive.

So give us four - I ask - not more;
No matter who wins, we won't get bored.
Before you know it, just around the bend
Elections will be back again.

Elections Song

A nice little ditty that was sung during the run-up to the first general elections in the Federation of Malaysia. Remarkably, the same ditty has been revamped and played countless times over the radio during the run-up to the recent twelfth general elections.

I like the song quite a lot, it was really a conversation starter during the run-up to the recent elections. It's got a catchy tune. The new "glossy" version seems more commercial, and can be a little too long. But the original is short and sweet. Even the slight off-key singing by the "mamak" looking singer is endearing. And when was the last time you saw a singer dance like that on television?

Here are the lyrics to the song (forgive me if I heard it wrong).

Undilah Puan dan Tuan
Dua puluh tujuh haribulan
Pilihanraya yang pertama
Pergilah, Undilah, Bersama-sama

Hari undi di Persekutuan
Julai dua puluh tujuh haribulan
Jangan lupa Encik dan Tuan-Tuan
Undilah calon yang Tuan Puan berkenan

Undilah Puan dan Tuan
Dua puluh tujuh haribulan
Pilihanraya yang pertama
Pergilah, Undilah, Bersama-sama

Undilah dengan baik hati
Siapa yang Tuan sukai
Cakap orang janganlah peduli
Fikir dulu jangan lambat terus mengundi

Undilah Puan dan Tuan
Dua puluh tujuh haribulan
Pilihanraya yang pertama
Pergilah, Undilah, Bersama-sama

Sebelum Tuan memangkah
Ingat dulu tanda yang nak dipangkah
Jaga baik bila nak mengundi
Pilih calon bila tetap hati sendiri (?)

Undilah Puan dan Tuan
Dua puluh tujuh haribulan
Pilihanraya yang pertama
Pergilah, Undilah, Bersama-sama

Jangan lupa kad pengenalan
Baru senang undi dijalankan
Itulah sahaja pesanan
Selamat mengundi wahai Puan dan Tuan

Undilah Puan dan Tuan
Dua puluh tujuh haribulan
Pilihanraya yang pertama
Pergilah, Undilah, Bersama-sama

Here's my rather rough translation of the lyrics. (Most translations would strive to rhyme, but that would take time...)

Please vote, lady and gentleman
On the twenty seventh of this month
The first elections
Let us go and vote together

Voting day in the Federation
July twenty seventh
Don't forget sir and masters
Vote for the candidate that you like

Please vote, lady and gentleman
On the twenty seventh of this month
The first elections
Let us go and vote together

Vote with a good heart
Who you like
Don't listen to people's talk
Think first don't be late and vote straightaway

Please vote, lady and gentleman
On the twenty seventh of this month
The first elections
Let us go and vote together

Before you place your cross
Remember which sign to cross
Be careful when you vote
Pick the candidate when you have decided in your heart

Please vote, lady and gentleman
On the twenty seventh of this month
The first elections
Let us go and vote together

Don't forget to bring your identification card
Only then will it facilitate the voting
This is all from us
Happy voting lady and gentleman

Please vote, lady and gentleman
On the twenty seventh of this month
The first elections
Let us go and vote together

Entitlement To Vote

Malaysians will be soon asked to cast their vote! The big day is expected to be March 8th, 2008. For the record, every Malaysian who has registered as a voter, is entitled to vote.

Any registered voter shall be entitled to vote at a Parliamentary or State election.

Source: Regulation 5, Elections (Registration of Electors) Regulations 2002 [P.U. (A) 293/2002]

So, don't forget to vote!