The 12th General Election-a brief glance!

I have been restraining myself from writing about the latest election.I felt that I am in no position to criticize for I didn't make it to the polling centre.Not really my fault...but my alarm didn't go off,so my plan was hancuss!I did't manage to go in the evening either,knowing that I have a few PERSONAL things to settle!Urgh...there goes my semangat berkobar2!
Anyway,here' a poem from the late Usman Awang/Tongkat Warrant.It keeps me wondering...how many pak Utih are there in our commnity?

Pak Utih ~ Usman Awang

I

Punya satu isteri mau dakap sampai mati,
Lima anak mau makan setiap hari,
Teratak tua digayuti cerita pusaka,
Sebidang tanah tandus untuk huma.
Kulit tangan tegang berbelulang,
Biasa keluarkan peluh berapa saja,
O Pak Utih, petani yang berjasa.

Tapi malaria senang menjenguk mereka,
Meski dalam sembahyang doa berjuta,
Dan Mak Utih bisa panggil dukun kampung,
Lalu jampi matera serapah berulang-ulang.

Betapa Pak Dukun dan bekalan pulang,
Wang dan ayam dara diikat bersilang.

II

Di kota pemimpin berteriak-teriak,
Pilihanraya dan kemerdekaan rakyat,
Seribu kemakmuran dalam negara berdaulat,
Jambatan mas kemakmuran sampai ke akhirat.
Ketika kemenangan bersinar gemilang,
Pemimpin atas mobil maju ke depan, dadanya terbuka,
Ah, rakyat tercinta melambaikan tangan mereka.

Di mana-mana jamuan dan pesta makan,
Ayam panggang yang enak di depan,
Datang dari desa yang dijanjikan kemakmuran.

Pak Utih masih menanti dengan doa,
Bapak-bapak pergi ke mana di mobil besar?

Usman Awang
1954

English Translation

Father Utih

I

He has one wife - whom he embraces until death
five children who want to eat everyday
an old hut where an inherited tale is hanging
a piece of barren land to cultivate.

The skin of his hands is taut and calloused
accustomed to any amount of sweat
O Father Utih, the worthy peasant.

But malaria comes hunting them
even though he offers a million prayers
and Mother Utih calls the village medicine man
for magic formulas, curses repeatedly chanted.

The medicine man with his reward goes home
with money and a pullet tied together.

II

In towns the leaders keep shouting
of elections and the people’s freedom
of thousand-fold prosperity in a sovereign state
a golden bridge of prosperity into the world hereafter.

When victory brightly shines
the leaders in cars move forward,
their chests thrust forward
O! the beloved subjects wave their hands.

Everywhere there are banquets and festivities
delicious roast chicken is served
chicken from the village promised prosperity.

Father Utih still waits in prayer
where are the leaders going in their limousines?

Usman Awang
1954

(Translated by Adibah Amin)