Swearing-In: A Time Of Reckoning For All

aNt's aNgle:

3PM: At approximately this time tomorrow, I will be taking my vows again to become a city councillor of Petaling Jaya (MBPJ), which is in the state of Selangor.

Joining me will be 23 other faces; mostly old, but some new in the 2010 lineup.

This will be my third time of doing so since the year 2008 - a period in time that both sides of the political divide of Pakatan as well as the Barisan will never forget, or want to.

For one side it was an unexpected disaster. And hopefully, the soberest wake-up call to jump back in and become relevant to the people once again.

To the other, only an initial first step to their main target destination: Putrajaya! 

It is here, really where they say that real and wholesome change can finally and truly come about.

As I think about it, I can't help but feel a deep sense of solemnity and urgency about tomorrow's whole affair.

With the prospects of general elections virtually around the corner there really isn't time for any party to doodle around - if they have been doing this previously. 

The earliest, it has been said, will realistically be in the first quarter of next year. The latest, in November 2011. 

Whenever that happens, everyone will have had to gotten out there and have made a difference to the voters. Because they are ultimately our bosses or Yang Berhormats or Yang Berbahagias, if you like.

When I asked members from both parties about what they think their chances at the polls will be, they both say that they are ready. 

But is this just mere optimistic confidence speaking, or is it really the real situation?

As for the local council and MBPJ, in particular, some people claim that there hasn't been any change in MBPJ since a new administration took over.

Perhaps, they are right. 

Especially if it involves something that is directly affecting their lives and they have been unable to change the situation so far with their councillors or state assemblymen.

Or maybe it is just a case of justice delayed (slow-in-coming) rather than justice denied because of the many dreaded red tape situations that are involved with local councils?

As a councillor for over the past two years some situations have been extremely frustrating for me too. 

And there was nothing that I could do about it no matter how hard I tried because of certain factors beyond my control.

Drains and street lights, for example, took weeks, and even months to be repaired because of technical glitches. 

If that wasn't the case, then it was for some legitimate processes that had to be resolved first before help could be dispatched.

In my case, there are still a number of important things that are still pending. And I intend to attend to them - one-by-one - as soon as the swearing-in ceremony is over.

Fortunately for us, this time round, the Santa Claus of local councils have given us an extra six months to work out our days. 

This is certainly an added bonus in our favour as councillors.

Thank you for all of you who have called, SMSed and emailed wishing me all the best for the next term.

It certainly won't be easy for me physically as I've grown two years older now. 

However, on the other side - the mental side, that is, the experience has been tremendously beneficial. 

It serves as an advantage as I'm obviously wiser now about how to get jobs done faster.

I'll be thinking of all of you when I take my vows tomorrow. No issue more than my pet projects for the disabled, elderly and animals, I assure you!

I cherish your support and it is with your prayers and strength that I will be able to carry out my next new term. 

Thanks for reading.

PET+BLOGSPOT

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