Dreaming audaciously

I’ve always dreamed big. No dream was ever too audacious enough for me. I know exactly what I’d do with $10,000,000. I know exactly how I’d govern the whole world. I have plans on combating global poverty and malnourishment. Climate change is any easy enough topic for me combat. But those dreams and plans will always remain a fantasy I play in my head when I’ve got nothing to do.

In the past few weeks, I’ve managed to turn the odds on some things in my life and made them reality. A courtship that I never thought could have materialized turned into a daring adventure and show of tremendous resolve both on my part and hers and is now a cherished reality I’m living out. My soured relationship with my previous organization is now a thing of the past and I’ve moved on and have opened avenues to future collaboration with them. I’ve reinvigorated my passion with human rights issues. And these things have started me to think about the things I want to achieve in my life.

I’ve talked about being in politics before but in my heart, I’ve always known that any involvement in politics in Sarawak means to sacrifice whatever you cherish the most. Successful politicians have to throw away their self-dignity and play kiss ass to the ones in real power. Struggling politicians have to bear their name being dragged through the mud without any remorse by the successful ones. All politicians will have to endure being followed by people only seeking immediate benefits for their loyalty. All elected representatives have to live the next 5 years of their terms knowing that whatever issues they promised to highlight during their election campaign will never be heard in the state assembly, let alone be resolved.

I’ve seen firsthand how Sarawak politics can make or break a person. My dad has been involved in it since I was born. It brought him great power and respect but it brought him down faster and lower than he has ever been. If I go down this road, I don’t have to look far for the possible consequences in store for me.

I want to do this. I want to run. It doesn’t matter if I fail and lose my deposit. I want to run as an independent candidate. I plan to run in either Batu Kawa or Kota Sentosa. It has always been a normal practice for a Chinese to run in these 2 seats but I want to show the state and country that we are ready to break the norm of majority race candidates. If we are going to continue claiming we are racially harmonious, then let’s show it.

Whether I stand next year really depends if I can garner enough support before registration and also if I’m actually around.

Question is now; will I dare to live the dream when the time comes to put my money where my mouth is?