Wednesday, April 09, 2008

The Anxiety of Two Elections

Within a short span of one month, I show concern to the outcome of general election ("GE") not only for one country, but two. First is the GE in Malaysia on 8 March 2008 and now the GE in Nepal which will be held tomorrow, 10 April 2008.

In our homeland, the dust of election would have been settled down save for those loose ends that still require much talking as to who is responsible for the activities and the smooth hand-shaking for continuation.

Append here is a comic strip from Star newspaper published today, 9 April that look at it from a humorous perspective. In the middle of the diagram, the heap of earth is replaced by a heap of shit.
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I am concern for the outcome of the GE in Nepal because our 12-person team is going for a 12-day trekking in Annapurna Base Camp, Nepal, 18 days later (on 28 April). If there is political unrest arising from the election, then months of planning and preparation will be deeply affected and will have to be rescheduled.

A few weeks ago, with the unrest in Tibet, my friends asked me whether I am worried for the spill-over effect in Nepal. So, I quipped: Since Nepal and Tibet are separated by the Himalayan Mountains, it is not easy to cross over. Now that the unrest could be triggered within the country, this is no joking matter.

On Monday 7 April, the following is reported in the Star newspaper which I think is unfavorable news for tourists going to Nepal.

Fears of violence in Nepal: The Himalayan kingdom of Nepal votes on its political future this week, but many fear the landmark elections, which could mean the end of the world's only Hindu monarchy, could also end in violence.
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On the same day, I sent one email to Mr. Cheban, the Trek and Tour Agent in Nepal. He came to Kuala Lumpur four days after our GE and now I will visit Nepal 18 days after their GE.

Extracts from my email:
"Yes, hope that you will have a smooth election. Wish that the election will elect capable leaders in your country to take Nepal to greater height - economically for your country and welfare for your people. Hope things will be fine."

Written by KC

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