patik botak

a few days ago, i heard someone declare the ruling class was nearing the end of it's 50+ years of dominance. they believed the time had come for the rakat to over throw the scoundrels and replace them with a new generation of actual leaders. as i was driving yesterday, i ruminated on the possibility. but, how does this country find leadership when anyone coming up the ranks has been born and raised to believe the current environment is the only reality this country can ever hope for. the levels of apathy and acceptance that i see here is the single most frustrating thing about living in the country. it's enough for me to consider throwing my hat into the ring.

first of all, i am at a disadvantage to be elected. but i do have qualifications, i have degrees in political science and finance. i have been a successful entrepreneur and run multi-national corporations. i have travelled and have worked with public and private sector organizations, building and growing organizations. but best of all, i am the ultimate outsider. i was not raised in the shadow of corruption, i do not have a father or uncles who are part of the old guard. i am doing this because i want to see things get better, and i am shocked no one else is willing to stand up.

beyond needing to polish up the story of growing up grandson of immigrants, under-privileged but motivated to succeed, product of mixed religion and believing in fairness over privilege, what i really need is a platform. the list of things i will focus my administration on correcting when we come to into office. they need to be simple and attainable, but they need to make an impact. yet another economic plan that is 10 years out and destined to fail is not what this candidacy is all about. we need to make real change happen.

the plan is simple and it's all about fairness:

1. free and fair elections - no reason to march, i agree, one man/one vote
2. freeze spending on religion - no spending on mosques until we decide if we want spending on all religions or none. spending public funds on just one isn't fair
3. merit based education - scholarships will go to the best students, ties will be settled by lottery
4. education loans, not gifts - students who study abroad and don't return will have their parents prepared to pay off the loans. no more special treatment for the elite.
5. eliminate tariffs on cars, autos, sports equipment - no need for middle income country to pay 3 times more for items than other countries
6. help companies hire and train staff - lets help college graduates find jobs and get job experience
7. eliminate special contracts - why should taxpayers pay more than needed for programs. contracts that remain should be open to review.
8. report politicians income - i will open up my income statement, and expect everyone else who runs to do the same. its a crime no one else has suggested this, and tells you they are hiding the graft they have enjoyed.
9. allow freedom of speech - eliminate ISA and remove political pressure from media. let people say how frustrated they are so we can fix things
10. encourage green space - we have so much beautiful space, why are the homes on top of each other. let the kids run and play on some grass.
11. increase public spending on arts - music, dance, fine arts are important. beauty is good.
12. increase spending on education - help the next generation to learn and compete in the world economy, help the country grow and prosper, the current direction must be fixed
13. provide one set of laws to everyone - to be fair, everyone must have a single set of civil laws. religion, class, income and position are no longer ways to avoid fairness.
14. allow marriage without conversion - allow people to love each other without making it about what religion they are (this is the norm in most of the world, including arab countries)

it's a simple plan. it shocks me that a conservative asian country spends so much time talking about who is the man in a video tape that so few people have seen. it shocks me that an opposition leaders spend so much time defending themselves, but never talk about policy. ruling party spends so much time reminding people they had nothing to do with the leaking of a tape or the making of an allegation, but don't come forward and admit corruption and privilege is part of the reason the country is stuck in the middle income trap.

my position is simple, let's really fix things not just talk about it. you can vote for patik botak, or you can run yourself. step up and help fix things, you can even use my platform if you want. if you do i would be happy to vote for you. i would expect others to vote for you too. there are only two things wrong.

first, i don't get a vote here. second, no one else seems to be asking politicians to come up with a plan or to demand fairness. british divide and rule is still dominant and expected. why would politicians improve if no one tells them that they should?

vote for me, patik botak. adil untuk semua.