After decades of struggle, S Anjalay gets to vote
Nandini Balakrishnan & Leanne TanPublished: May 1, 2013 2:39 AM | Updated: May 1, 2013 8:57 AM
With the 13th general election around the corner, most Malaysians eligible to vote are in high spirits, championing their right to vote freely, and vocal on election issues.
With the 13th general election around the corner, most Malaysians eligible to vote are in high spirits, championing their right to vote freely, and vocal on election issues.
To register as a voter in Malaysia, one must be a citizen and above the age of 21. This criteria sounds very simple, since all Malaysian citizens are eligible to register upon reaching the age of 21.
But then, attaining citizenship has become a real struggle for quite a number of people, even though they were born in this land, on Malaysian soil.
One such person is S Anjalay, 62, from Batu Caves, Selangor. She was issued with a red identity card (IC), despite being born in Malaysia before the country achieved independence.
After almost four decades of struggle to get a blue MyKad, the senior citizen was finally granted one in late 2011.
“I went to Putrajaya so many, many times, but somehow the paperwork never got through and it took me almost half of my life to be recognised as a rightful citizen of this country,” said Anjalay who was clad in a plain blouse and pants while explaining her struggles in life without the MyKad.
Single-handedly raising her granddaughter Nisha, 10, Anjalay spoke about the difficulties she faced raising a child at her age and without a stable job.
“I work at a construction site, and do other odd jobs as well, to make a living. It's a difficult struggle… but I have to do it to make sure I can put Nisha through school.
“Even the Welfare Services Department does not help me… every time I go there asking for their assistance, they only stall things and in the end, there is nothing from their side,” explained Anjalay, tearfully.
Being a 'renewed Malaysian'
After her brief, yet heart-wrenching introduction to her life, Anjalay began speaking very excitedly about being a “renewed Malaysian” when asked for her view of the May 5 general election.
“The first thing I did after I got my MyKad was to register as voter… it’s my obligation and after all these years, I have finally got to become a voter.
“Malaysia is a harmonious country. Changes are a must… the price and the quality of living is so high but the salary is still so low for us Malaysians,” said Anjalay criticising certain parties that gave foreigners higher wages and focused on them, instead of improving the living standards of Malaysians.
She went on to comment on the number of foreigners coming to Malaysian to work, describing them as too many and the reason for the hike in the criminal activities “as these foreign workers are overflowing” into the country.
“Without foreign workers, we won't have so many crimes, rapes, robberies… we don’t feel safe any more, walking in the streets,” Anjalay said, expressing her worries about certain foreign workers who cause fear in her.
Asked whether she preferred older or younger candidates in the elections, she confidently answered that her preference was for the younger ones, saying that they would be able to stand up for the people and solve their problems.
“The government must focus more on Malaysians, especially the struggling ones, and improve their lives,” she said, adding that corruption was another issue that should be curbed by the government.
Anjalay, who does not know how to read or write, gets herself updated with the political scene by listening to Tamil news on the radio and watching Tamil news on the television.
She also made passing remarks on the MIC’s refusal to help her and a number of others like her, who still do not have their blue MyKad and also, were suffering in poverty.
"Our education system must be improved. The Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loan scheme is a really good effort by the government to help students to pursue their tertiary education," she said, adding that she disagreed with Pakatan Rakyat’s promise to abolish the PTPTN if it takes over Putrajaya.
Part 1: Will young voters be kingmakers?
Part 2: Youths: We are not blinded by goodies and promises
To register as a voter in Malaysia, one must be a citizen and above the age of 21. This criteria sounds very simple, since all Malaysian citizens are eligible to register upon reaching the age of 21.
But then, attaining citizenship has become a real struggle for quite a number of people, even though they were born in this land, on Malaysian soil.
One such person is S Anjalay, 62, from Batu Caves, Selangor. She was issued with a red identity card (IC), despite being born in Malaysia before the country achieved independence.After almost four decades of struggle to get a blue MyKad, the senior citizen was finally granted one in late 2011.
“I went to Putrajaya so many, many times, but somehow the paperwork never got through and it took me almost half of my life to be recognised as a rightful citizen of this country,” said Anjalay who was clad in a plain blouse and pants while explaining her struggles in life without the MyKad.
Single-handedly raising her granddaughter Nisha, 10, Anjalay spoke about the difficulties she faced raising a child at her age and without a stable job.
“I work at a construction site, and do other odd jobs as well, to make a living. It's a difficult struggle… but I have to do it to make sure I can put Nisha through school.
“Even the Welfare Services Department does not help me… every time I go there asking for their assistance, they only stall things and in the end, there is nothing from their side,” explained Anjalay, tearfully.
Being a 'renewed Malaysian'
After her brief, yet heart-wrenching introduction to her life, Anjalay began speaking very excitedly about being a “renewed Malaysian” when asked for her view of the May 5 general election.
“The first thing I did after I got my MyKad was to register as voter… it’s my obligation and after all these years, I have finally got to become a voter.
“Malaysia is a harmonious country. Changes are a must… the price and the quality of living is so high but the salary is still so low for us Malaysians,” said Anjalay criticising certain parties that gave foreigners higher wages and focused on them, instead of improving the living standards of Malaysians.
She went on to comment on the number of foreigners coming to Malaysian to work, describing them as too many and the reason for the hike in the criminal activities “as these foreign workers are overflowing” into the country.“Without foreign workers, we won't have so many crimes, rapes, robberies… we don’t feel safe any more, walking in the streets,” Anjalay said, expressing her worries about certain foreign workers who cause fear in her.
Asked whether she preferred older or younger candidates in the elections, she confidently answered that her preference was for the younger ones, saying that they would be able to stand up for the people and solve their problems.
“The government must focus more on Malaysians, especially the struggling ones, and improve their lives,” she said, adding that corruption was another issue that should be curbed by the government.
Anjalay, who does not know how to read or write, gets herself updated with the political scene by listening to Tamil news on the radio and watching Tamil news on the television.
She also made passing remarks on the MIC’s refusal to help her and a number of others like her, who still do not have their blue MyKad and also, were suffering in poverty.
"Our education system must be improved. The Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loan scheme is a really good effort by the government to help students to pursue their tertiary education," she said, adding that she disagreed with Pakatan Rakyat’s promise to abolish the PTPTN if it takes over Putrajaya.
Part 1: Will young voters be kingmakers?
Part 2: Youths: We are not blinded by goodies and promises
NANDINI BALAKRISHNAN and LEANNE TAN are students, who were interns with Malaysiakini.
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