time warp in Ijok and Batang Berjuntai...

Ijok and Batang Berjuntai have somehow become quite famous in recent weeks. I lived in Rawang for 23 years, about 45 min drive to these small and quaint towns. As a kid, I remember cycling there in my old rusty bike and even hitchhiked to Kuala Selangor via these old estate trunk roads. I also remember its surrounded by some scenic rubber estates and a lot of Indian quarters. Palm oil plantations took over from rubber estates and many of the romantic and beautiful rubber estates have disappeared. The British used to run these rubber estates, employing thousands of migrant workers from all over India... Tamils, Malayalees and Ceylonese. A few of my close relatives worked around the estates in Batang Berjuntai and Ijok as clerks, managers and planters.

The election brought victory to the deserving Barisan winner, Mr Parthiban... but it also brought out the worst in Malaysian politics. People here, mainly the Indians, are deprived of so many economic and social opportunities. They live in a cycle of poverty as social outcasts in their own country as ignorant citizens. Afraid to voice out their daily struggles and fear for being branded as troublemakers, Indians from this region (and Malaysia in general) constantly fight emotional battles to survive and find work. There are many remnants of the colonial days still prevailing and used in Batang Berjuntai and Ijok.. including schools, hospitals and places of worship. These rundown buildings still stand proof of a bygone era in Malaysian plantation history. It’s sad to see so many promises made during this by-election … as if since the British left… there was a time warp till Mr Sivalinggam died.

Poverty is a vicious cycle. Its hands and fingers reach out and grab every opportunity to inflict pain, suffering and tears. Just an hour’s drive from KL, the capital of Malaysia. On a clear day… you can reach Batang Berjuntai via PLUS Highway, head north… turn off at Rawang intersection and turn left from the first traffic light. That’s how near (or far) these "big gun" politicians have to travel in the Mercedes or BMWs to campaign. With them are thousands of supporters and millions of ringgit in campaign money. As they drive promises and hope into these folks, it’s not that hard to ignore the poverty and suffering. It’s not difficult to notice how less the Indians from these estates have achieved after 50 years of independence. It’s also very hard to shut their silent pleas for more financial and educational help. From the heart of our country in Kuala Lumpur, the short artery to these poverty stricken Indian settlements suddenly underwent a "bypass surgery". I wonder how long this will last… it’s been having too many “strokes” ;-)

None of the major newspapers or news channels highlights the history of these estates and charming life of a bygone era. They don't even bother to mention how many places like these toiled to make Malaysians rich and wealthy in rubber and palm oil exports... only to have the migrant Indian workers fall further and further behind.

I can only smile at headlines in Star and NST… as usual… job well done. The national agenda and ruling party propaganda worked. The ministers, chief ministers and party leaders will return back to their air conditioned mansions and pat their backs for a job well done. Am sure their shoes will need replacement… from the dust and mud as they walked door to door… shaking their hands… during this campaign period. Am sure Batang Berjuntai and Ijok will forget about all this … and go back to sleep.