Since it is Bersih

Another long, well-written and well-thought-of status update, tailored more like a comment on Bersih. Probably with a few 'likes'.

It does not matter that it is fully in Mandarin. Anyone could have found its English counterpart easily. One thing they all share in common is this: all of them are authored by Chinese people.

While it is pleasant to see more people taking concern to the nation's current affairs-even more so when it is labelled as anti-establishment- I find that Chinese people are more prone to snuggle in their comfortable rooms and do their damage with the aid of their expensive gadgets. Ask them to put on a yellow tee and march, or in today's case, sit down quietly in a show of defiance, and many would give reasons enough to last a last time.

This has always been a dormant quality of Malaysia Chinese, earning them the well-deserved moniker of being 'kiasu' and 'kiasi'. I only chose to write this out because I saw a Malay man clad in a Bersih tee while I was in the marketplace.

There the guy was, a bright yellow that seemed to dull his surroundings. He had the most common Malay face, complete with a bulging belly. While his other hand hung idly by his side, the other was busily punching away on his cellphone. Even with his focused squint at the little screen under the hot glaring sun, without his bright yellow shirt I would not have noticed him. The sight of him reminded me of the comparatively sparse numbers of Chinese folks in any public rallies.

Perhaps a more optimistic way to describe the ways Chinese people operate is they prefer to utilise social networks rather than be involved on the streets, which is always risky with the authorities in the way. Yet one cannot help but wonder if the label 'kiasi' has anything to do with it.

The simple Malay man clad in yellow, to me, brings out the Bersih theme and message louder and clearer than any number cyber-troopers. He is the ideal epitome of civil disobedience, and an inspiration to his willing but cowardly fellow countrymen. He looks, sounds and walks more like a citizen, despite Netizens in the background.

C'mon lah Chinese fellas. You are not sick of being called 'kiasi' one meh? You and your spectacles and small frame... aiyoo.