COMMENT | It was an exceptionally hot morning. Despite my not-so-rosy health conditions, it had to be done. I struggled to the car, after which the wheelchair was loaded. Wheeled into one of the classrooms at the Anglo Chinese School in Klang, I dipped my finger into a bottle of ink and put the ‘X’ on two ballot papers.

It took less than a minute. Why all the hassle? I had to do my part so that the next generation, including my daughter, her children and grandchildren, will have a better quality of life.

Later at night, a few ex-colleagues came over with food and titbits. With our eyes glued to the TV, we talked about various outcomes. At about 2am, we were convinced we did the right thing.

This was 101 days ago. Today, we have to ask ourselves: “What would have happened if we did not make the change?”

Forget the pledges, promises and undertakings contained in manifestos. Forget what has been achieved and what has not been. There will be enough time for us to decide if the current batch of elected representatives or their parties deserve another term.

We had known of the plunder of the nation’s wealth; we were aware of the methodical abuse of power; we acknowledged inefficient systems were draining our resources; and all notions of good governance had been dismantled. But who dared say it?

One hundred and one days ago, sources of such information, would have been tarnished and accused of treason or “planning to overthrow a democratically-elected government. The self-serving politicians and their cohorts in the media fraternity would have dutifully carried out their tasks.

For once, we are free of the lies, deceit and misinformation on issues that had affected our beloved nation. Now, information is freely available. The mainstream media (for the first time) is behaving as purveyors of news.

A hundred and one days ago, short of waving the ‘I love PM’ flag, most editors were displaying much more loyalty and faithfulness to MO1 than party cadres. For them, the party and its leaders could do no wrong...