26 August 2008

Blurry Discontentment

Hmm, what's with the abstract post titles nowadays? I don't know either.

Today is the decisive by-election in Permatang Pauh, featuring Anwar Ibrahim on one side and two insignificant shrimps on the other. ISA-detainee-turned-Chief-Minister Lim Guan Eng declared today a state holiday so that eligible Permatang Pauh voters could turn out in full force.

Unfortunately, I still have to work because as an MNC our public holidays are pre-allocated. So I was expecting a clear traffic day when "surprise! surprise!" there's a jam on the coastal highway leading to Penang Bridge.

I was really pissed off, but at the same time I still felt unbelievably sleepy. It really killed my mood for the day as I slowly inched along. I was expecting a multi-car pile up. Or maybe some fiery explosion ala Hollywood. Anything to make up for the fact that the jam is worse than normal days.

It was a police road block.

A frakking police road block, probably to prevent opposition supporters from going over to Permatang Pauh. I would say that's the most probable explanation because they just waved us pass without looking at our road tax sticker or faces. Likewise, they didn't stop any motorcyclists like they are so apt to. And I didn't spot any multi-car pile up that needed diverting.

So this is their strategy. Offend people by their insensitivity if they haven't done enough PR damage already. All in the name of national security.

1 comment:

William said...

I heard that before. Malaysia too many holidays. Have to normalize with with the other countries for fairness.