The “mother of all elections” is looming upon us, but how many of us Malaysians
are actually in touch with the country’s political and democratic process? How
many of us really care about the 13th General Elections?
A new NGO, Malaysian Spring, sprouted recently to help people get involved and get in touch with their democratic power once again. Seeded by architect Ng Seksan, the group has one simple objective to spread the idea of hope and change for a better Malaysia by planting flowers in community spaces.
Our content supremo Judith had a WhatsApp interview with Ng Seksan to understand more about the project that has already got into conflict with the authorities after just 10 days.
A new NGO, Malaysian Spring, sprouted recently to help people get involved and get in touch with their democratic power once again. Seeded by architect Ng Seksan, the group has one simple objective to spread the idea of hope and change for a better Malaysia by planting flowers in community spaces.
Our content supremo Judith had a WhatsApp interview with Ng Seksan to understand more about the project that has already got into conflict with the authorities after just 10 days.
Hi Seksan! Good morning. I'm
Judith from the SAYS Content Team. We would like to curate a story on Malaysia
Spring and was wondering if you could answer some questions. Sure. Let’s do via WhatsApp. Thanks for helping.
How and when did Malaysian Spring came about? Who are behind it?
It came about some 12 days ago at a breakfast gathering of a few friends in Lucky Garden.
What are the three main objectives of Malaysian Spring?
Objective is to spread just one idea of hope and change, change for a better Malaysia.
Why 'risk' calling it the Malaysian Spring?
Are you thinking of Arab spring???!!! Haha! Please don’t insult our Arab friends. We are just planting flowers lah to welcome spring. They better thank us for doing something peaceful and beautiful with our Malaysian spring effort then.
People who are involved with this campaign include small 7-years-old children and elderly grandparents lah.
Hahaa yes! I think that's the first thing Malaysians think about when they hear Malaysian Spring "is it like Arab Spring but Malaysian version?".
Spring is a nice season, a change from a long cold dark winter.
Are the flowers, flags?
No, they are simplified abstract flowers, not flags.
People are feeling alienated and disconnected from the political and democratic process in this country for too long. The simple gesture of making a flower and planting them in the street is the first step to get them involved. It is something for people to do, for communities to come together at this time of political shift.
Where have the spring sprung across Malaysia besides Bangsar?
I know of a few other communities starting their own "spring" planting starting yesterday- Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, Kerinchi, Sarawak etc. Lucky Garden has not stopped, we are producing more flowers, much, much more!!!
Is planting flowers 'illegal'?
Ask the authorities???
Anything to say about or to DBKL?
Planting flowers should not be illegal. If it is there is something very wrong with our bylaws and legislation! Just respect the people’s effort in this campaign and do not do selective policing.
Also, any nice surprises and personally inspiring moments that sprung up from people participating in the Malaysian Spring?
DBLK came last Sunday and removed 60% of our flowers planted earlier in the day. We, the neighbourhood found out about it thru the objecting cars honking round the roundabout. They rushed out to protest. After a long and intense negotiation, we managed to get back the confiscated flowers back. It was getting dark but the residents proceed to replant the flowers.
I nearly cried lah haha. Now the residents are guarding the flowers like their own babies, maintaining and making sure the flowers are in tiptop condition because they do get blown over by the wind and sometimes trampled upon by careless pedestrians.
How can Malaysian social media users from SAYS help out?
Please help spread the idea and get all Malaysians to plant some flowers in the next few weeks. We would like to see 28 million flowers planted throughout Malaysia! One for each Malaysian. Spread www.malaysianspring.com.
Aww, we could all use news like that. Thanks Seksan.
Thanks :)
What will Malaysia look like with 28 million flowers? Share the dream, follow the Malaysian Spring story at http://bit.ly/malaysianspringstory.
Also, are you on 8Share? Spread the Malaysian Spring Social Good campaign at www.bit.ly/MalaysianSpring.