LETTER | It is that time again when Malaysians here and around the world, will exercise their right to vote, to see who will represent us in the state assemblies, and in Parliament, who will be running the government and who will be our country’s leaders.

It will be a time for us to once again consider who will be making decisions in our name.

It was recently estimated that because voters in Malaysia only cast their vote once every four or five years, during parliamentary and state elections, a person can be expected to only have 14 times to be able to do so in her or his lifetime.

In other countries, there are many opportunities to express satisfaction or dissatisfaction at the quality and level of representation or service delivered by your various elected representatives.

There are elections for local government, mayor, attorney-general, governor, senator, president and even for the leading community law enforcement official, such as the local sheriff. Even an Indonesian citizen living in Jakarta can expect to cast her vote at least 28 times in their lifetime.

We get 14. So voting in Malaysia is very precious. For some, their vote is one of the most valuable things that they can offer.

Temperatures and emotions have been running high. Numerous streets are festooned with flags, posters, banners and buntings, causing irritation in neighbourhoods and communities. The question “you sokong siapa?” (who do you support) feature prominently in everyday conversations. From faces on posters to visiting cemeteries of dead politicians, it also seems like everything can be politicised.

In the midst of this circus, despite talking about inclusivity, change, hope, and development, the same tired and age-old tactics of race-based rhetoric, fear-mongering and xenophobia are once again being utilised to solicit, gain and secure support. Everyone appears to be guilty of one or the other.

If they are not careful, those who position themselves as the better choice for people to consider, are at risk of looking and sounding no different than those who are already in power. ‘Meet the new boss, same as the old one.”

Which is why it has been necessary to be more discerning of who we entrust to represent us. Our support must be earned not through promises and logos but through past deeds and actions.

As a registered voter (if you are of age but not registered, you can ignore the rest of this article), you have a right to decide whether or not to vote. It is your right as a citizen of this country.

But this time around, I would call on you to look at the candidates before you, and consider what they can and will do for us and our communities. There are national issues and there are community issues. Both must be addressed. Some people are good at only one, others are good for both.

See who is the best and most qualified person running in your constituencies, who are able to address and respond to these concerns. Vote for better people who can represent you at their best. Reject rubbish candidates.

Parliament usually gets much of the attention from the media and the public. Considering that whoever wins the most seats in the Dewan Rakyat gets to form the government, this is only natural.

However, I'm reminded that some of the most important decisions which affect our lives do not actually happen in Parliament but in the state assemblies. Issues such as personal, family and native laws, land matters, water and mining rights fall under the jurisdiction of the states. Many recent challenges over the past decade have been in these areas. The future promises more of such vital issues.

So we need high-quality people in those state bodies just as much as in the Dewan Rakyat. Who we elect into the state assembly must be of similar quality as those who get elected to Parliament.

The need and commitment to change must come from Malaysians themselves. After all, we are the change that we seek.

If we seriously believe in the need for better governance, accountability and transparency from the people who are making decisions in our name, we need to ensure that the best people are elected to the job. That is the value of our vote.

Those elected to public office should also realise that they must be open to taking criticism, even unwelcomed or unpleasant ones, from both friends and opponents, especially if it is in the best interest of the country.

We don’t need blind, unthinking and unquestioning obedience to party positions. This is not what Malaysians need or want.

Come May 9, Malaysians will use their collective voices and speak out. What will they say?

We should not and cannot afford to be silent in this election. After all, we reap what we sow.

Vote for the best candidates.

Use your voice. Go out and vote.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.