Another shoeshiner has appeared overnight in the guise of academia.

If the Beatles were still singing, they would most probably have a song that goes, ‘Where do they come from, all the ignorant people, where do they come from?’.

Where do these people get the idea that only registered political parties can take part in politics? For someone who is in academia and student affairs, especially, it clearly shows the depth of knowledge and (one of) the reasons why students who graduate from local universities are stunted and devoid of critical thinking.

I am sure they know this but prefer to condemn anyone who opposes the government. No one says this to the red shirt rally or those silat fellows.

Worldwide – no matter what system of government you follow, including those of terrible dictators – it is acknowledged that there is the right for people to participate in politics; only that they don’t allow them here and insist people support one party only.

Previously, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin had asked those who had signed the Citizens’ Declaration to contest the elections. Well, guess what? In the last elections, civil society took part in conjunction with Pakatan Rakyat and actually won the majority of votes, only to be denied victory by the way the votes were spilt into unequal constituencies.

So, to repeat those famous words, ‘Apa lagi dia orang mahu?’ The opposition has already won and shown that they have won. So, no matter how you rig the system, history will show that the last elections was won by opposition. So why bother asking anyone to form parties and contest when it has proven to be a futile exercise?

In fact, many groups wanting to register their group as official parties for election purposes were either denied or just left in limbo. So, will this deputy vice-chancellor help in getting them registered and approved? Ridiculous.

In Malaysia, everyone has the right to vote and partake in political activities, only that the ruling government has stunted many of the avenues, blocking them wherever they can but they themselves blatantly continue under the guise of government business.

How many times have we read in the papers and watched on TV how government ministers talk about party and political matters at state functions and venues, paid for by all taxpayers?

Only prohibition is for civil servants not to actively participate in politics but they still can vote, and normally, they can participate as much as they like, as long as they support the ruling government.

Trade bodies, business chambers, consumer bodies, and so on have long enjoyed the tradition of voicing out political opinions and taking part in political activities.

Our life is surrounded by political mantra and matters; we can’t escape it, so does this smart aleck deputy vice-chancellor want all the 22 million or so (whatever the current number is) Malaysians to form their own party before taking part in the political process?

Wonder what brought this up? Maybe a promotion cycle is due and some attention-seeking words will prove useful to be noticed for promotional consideration.

Oops! Sorry. Should I form a party before voicing out my opinion? If I do form a party, it will be called Movement to Assist Foot in Mouth-challenged individuals.

Grey Cells Lacking

Kuala Lumpur