The kopitiam was already crowded when Ali arrived. Ah Chong was reading something on his phone while Muthu was arguing with the coffee shop owner over the price of half-boiled eggs.
"Last time two eggs and kopi cost less than three ringgit. Now I need to check my wallet before ordering breakfast," Muthu complained.
"Then eat one egg lah," Ah Chong suggested.
"Very funny. Next election I vote for whoever can make chickens lay cheaper eggs."
Ali laughed as he pulled up a chair.
"Every morning you complain. Yet every morning you order the same thing."
"That's because my wife doesn't allow me to complain at home."
They laughed.
Ah Chong put down his phone.
"Eh, you remember Uncle Wong? The 88-year-old fellow always appearing with his YB?"
"Of course," Muthu replied. "I heard the YB bribed him with a bicycle!"
"Bribed your head!" Ah Chong protested. "The old man's bicycle was falling apart. The YB noticed and bought him a new one. Uncle didn't even ask."
"How they became friends?" Ali asked.
"Uncle lived alone and had trouble getting old-age assistance. The YB helped him. Then one night, around 1.30 in the morning, Uncle was sick and needed a doctor. He called the YB, who was already sleeping. The fellow got up and drove him to get treatment."
Muthu stopped stirring his coffee.
"At 1.30? My own son wouldn't answer my call at that hour!"
"Maybe because you always call to ask for money," Ah Chong replied.
They laughed.
"Uncle Wong used to dislike the YB's party," Ah Chong continued. "Now they're like old friends."
Ali nodded. "Sometimes people don't remember what you promised. They remember how you treated them when they needed help."
Ali pointed towards the road outside.
"See that drain? Last year every time heavy rain, water came into the shops. Everybody complained. Politicians came, took photographs and promised action."
"And?" Muthu asked.
"Nothing. Until the new assemblyman brought the council people, inspected the problem and followed up until they repaired it."
"Good," said Ah Chong. "But what happens next year?"
"Exactly," Ali replied. "A good YB helps solve a problem. A better YB makes sure the problem doesn't keep coming back."
Muthu nodded.
"My daughter had trouble getting her business licence. Went from one counter to another. Finally, the YB's service centre helped explain what documents were needed. She got her licence."
"See? Good YB," Ah Chong said.
"Yes, but why must she see the YB? The council should have explained everything properly in the first place."
Ali smiled.
"That's why our lives shouldn't depend on YBs. We work, raise families and solve our own problems. Government departments should do their jobs without needing a politician to telephone somebody."
"Then what do we need YBs for?" Muthu asked.
Ali paused.
"Every morning after my prayers, I ask for an extended shade over my family. Protection from hardship, some comfort when things become difficult. A good YB is something like that. We don't depend on him for everything, but it's comforting to know somebody is looking out for us."
Ah Chong grinned.
"Wah, Ali. Today your coffee got extra wisdom!"
"Better than your coffee. Extra sugar, no wisdom."
The shop owner arrived with another round.
"All this talk about YBs. Assemblyman or Parliament?"
"Got difference meh?" Muthu asked.
"Of course," Ali replied. "Our assemblyman deals more with state matters and local problems. Our MP goes to Parliament. He should be thinking about bigger things."
"Like my expensive eggs?"
"Actually, yes. Why food prices keep rising. Why salaries cannot catch up. Whether government policies help ordinary people or make things harder."
Muthu leaned forward.
"My son works in a factory. His salary increases a little, but everything else increases faster. He doesn't need an MP giving him a hamper. He needs a better future."
"My nephew finished university," Ah Chong added. "Couldn't find a proper job for almost a year. Our MP should be asking what industries we're bringing in, what jobs they create and whether young Malaysians can get them."
"And when government spends billions," Muthu continued, "somebody must ask where the money goes."
Ali laughed.
"Now Muthu sounds like opposition leader."
"Don't insult me. I haven't even finished breakfast!"
Ah Chong put down his cup.
"You know what I wish? Our MP should meet people regularly. Not just during elections or when somebody complains."
"For what?" Muthu asked.
"Explain things lah. New government schemes, business assistance, education opportunities, changes in taxes. Sometimes people don't know what's available until it's too late."
"Good idea," Ali said. "And before Parliament meets, why not have a small gathering? Ask what people think about important issues coming up."
"Like this kopitiam?" Muthu asked.
"Why not? We may not have university degrees in economics, but we know what happens when prices rise, businesses struggle or our children cannot find jobs."
Ah Chong nodded.
"Then when the MP speaks in Parliament, he knows what his people are thinking. Not just what his party leaders are telling him."
"Sometimes he may disagree with us," Ali added. "That's fine. At least listen, explain his reasons and tell us what happened afterwards."
Muthu smiled.
"Better still, invite him here. Let him pay for our breakfast."
"That's not consultation," Ah Chong replied. "That's corruption!"
A young waiter approached.
"Uncles, can I ask something? How do we know whether a YB is good?"
Muthu answered first.
"See whether he remembers you after winning."
"Not enough," Ah Chong said. "See whether he treats everybody properly, including those who didn't vote for him."
"And whether he gets things done," Ali added. "Not just photographs and promises."
"What about MPs?"
"Same thing," Muthu replied. "But they must also know what they're doing in Parliament. Otherwise why send them all the way to Kuala Lumpur?"
The waiter laughed.
"My father says politicians are all the same."
"Your father is wrong," Ah Chong replied. "Some are better. Some are worse. Our job is to know the difference."
Outside, the morning traffic had grown heavier.
Muthu checked his watch.
"Time to go. My wife asked me to buy vegetables. Deepavali coming, you know. So many things to prepare."
"Ah, Deepavali!" Ah Chong exclaimed. "Then today you belanja breakfast lah!"
"Why me?"
"Festival of lights, mah. You must bring some brightness into our lives!"
Ali laughed.
"Don't worry, Muthu. May this Deepavali bring light, happiness and blessings to you and your family."
"Yes, Happy Deepavali!" Ah Chong added. "May your house be bright, your family blessed and your wallet always full!"
Muthu grinned.
"Thank you, thank you. Since you two have been so nice, today breakfast on me."
"See!" Ah Chong exclaimed. "That's what I call good leadership!"
The shop owner, who had been listening from behind the counter, shook his head.
"Every morning you three talk about responsibility. Finally, somebody takes responsibility for the bill!"
Muthu handed him the money.
"Remember, next time Ali pays."
"Why me?" Ali protested.
"Because you prayed for an extended shade. Today I provided it!"
The kopitiam erupted in laughter.
And outside, beneath the warm morning sun, another ordinary Malaysian day had begun.
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Wishing Hindu readers and family a bright and bless full Deepavali.
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