Feb 16, 2008 was a shameful day for the Barisan Nasional government and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and another sad day for Indians and Malaysians. A five-year-old girl wrote a touching letter to Abdullah to accept roses for the release of the five Hindraf leaders detained under the ISA and consider 18 basic demands for Indians. She even personally asked Abdullah for protection from police brutality, tear gas and water-cannons.

What is the harm in receiving some flowers from our future Malaysians? Abdullah did not even bother reply to the little girl's letter, which was personally handed to his secretary one month ago. What kind of a leader is he? What is this complete ignorance and arrogance of him and his government? Even if he has no common sense of his own, are there no advisers to him? Are they all sleeping like their leader instead of writing a reply?

Do we need this kind of a man to run Malaysia? Abdullah said that people should use ‘proper channels.’ Please advise us on what are considered to be ‘proper channels.’ Writing letters? But you won't reply. Go to MIC? That is waste of time.

We Indians don't want the MIC anymore. Fifty years is enough. Indians can be represented by any other party. For instance, I think the DAP has spoken up more in Parliament for Indians than the MIC has. DAP’s Lim Kit Siang has showed more sympathy and understanding after the Nov 25 and Feb 16 events.

I think this election, we should all vote for the opposition. Give them a chance, and there will be a difference. We Malaysians don't want ministers who are corrupt, ministers who abuse their powers, ministers who use the ISA instead of law and order, ministers who swindle taxpayers, ministers who are racist and threaten minorities, ministers who break temples and, most of all, ministers who will not accept roses from a five-year-old.

We need ministers, MPs and politician who are dignified, educated, knowledgeable, trustworthy and, most of all, who do their job. They must be professional in their line of duty and they must listen to people who have real grievances and problems.

This election, all peace-loving Malaysians should completely deny the BN. Fifty years of marginalisation, discrimination and depravation is enough. We need change. Without change we will never see the end of corruption, discrimination and police impropriety. And we will never see an independent judiciary, equal rights, fair opportunities and the freedoms of religion, media and peaceful assembly. All those characterise a true democratic nation. If we do not achieve the above, we are doomed.

This time we should vote wisely for a party that is capable of bringing the much-needed change. I have personally listened to the voices of the DAP and will vote for them, without any hesitation. We have put up with the current situation for the last 50 years - we can give the opposition a chance to show their true capabilities for the next five years.

We peace-loving Malaysians cannot put up with the grievances and problems that are slowly but surely seeping through the system. We need an end to this.

We need change.