1st September 2009, the day the houses in Kampung Buah Pala was demolished. Many tried to protest but to no avail, it was demolished. Claimed to be the one of a kind Indian village, it's gone now. The last time i went there was nearly three months ago. Most of my relatives are from there. They might be getting new houses but nothing can be compared to the village that they have experienced for many years.
The main focus about Kampung Buah Pala is....Why politicize it? The opposition and the ruling government certainly have taken advantage of this situation. The people of Kampung Buah Pala were being used for their political agenda. Since last year, i have had a 'soft spot' for politicians. Politicians these days are just cunning and look after their own needs. It's hard to find people like Mahatma Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt and Winston Churchill in politics these days. Since the 2008 elections, we can see the decline of political standards in Malaysia. There are smear campaigns, non stop bickering in parliament and sexual scandals plaguing certain lawmakers.
Thanks to Kampung Buah Pala, many politicians are able to flex their 'muscles' and start politicizing it by giving false hope to the villagers. Thanks to these politicians, the Kampung Buah Pala situation became a scene of chaos. The villagers were relying on politicians to solve their woes but what did they get? Nothing! People were the playground for these politicians. The State government tried to stop the demolishment of the village but they could only master a compensation package for the people. However, people were not satisfied with it. Lim Guan Eng had certainly tried his best to muster this situation but it was hopeless.
Then came in MIC. All of a sudden! Where were they when Nusmetro announced their plans to demolish Kampung Buah Pala. After the state government couldn't fulfill their promise, MIC decided to handle this issue. However, it proved POINTLESS. MIC is trying to be establish itself after the 2008 elections debacle and be helping this issue out, they feel they might be able to regain their footing in the coming elections. MIC, please move quickly rather than looking at others and then making your move. Pathetic!
Then came the infamous HINDRAF. P.Uthayakumar is certainly a very capable activist. However, based in his speeches and talks, i have a feeling that he is also looking at a political side of perspectives. As an activist, you should look at the people, not how politicians handle this situation. If they had the initiative, they could have written a petition to the Federal Government and Nusmetro Holdings. Talking will never help, protest will never help. It's the action that matters the most! If you are so passionate about this issue, meet the ministers and talk things out. Even a small kid would say this!
Although, the village is extinct, this story would surely raise many questions. Will other villages in Malaysia be affected? Will we be able to preserve our culture? or in the years to come will the term 'Balik Kampung' exist? Many people are bracing themselves for this issue in the years to come.
Certainly, making use of one issue for a political gain is just plain 'STUPID'. For years we are hoping for advancement in politics but what we see is just PATHETIC! I am not being an anti politics person but based on recent happenings, i have every right tio hate politics! The way Kampung Buah Pala issue was being handled was one very good example.
I am hopeful that politicians in Malaysia would change their mindsets and move forward. Kampung Buah Pala should be a wake up call for many politicians. Please do not use certain issues for your political gain. It will never HELP! That's the FACT!
