Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan, Immediate past president of the Malaysian Bar
Datuk Ambiga recently received the International Women of Courage Award from US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington DC, United States.

Do you feel disconnected from the politics of Malaysia and in this regard how much do you value your right to vote?

Daphne, 21, Johor
"Yes, they are playing with the politics rather than serving the people. I will still vote although there is no right candidate for me, just to be a responsible citizen."

Sara Khong, 23, KL
"Yes. I cannot see the workings of rule of law, separation of power and ministerial responsibility that are suppose to be inherent in a democratic country.
I think democracy in Malaysia is just an euphemism for 'elective dictatorship'. Hence, I think I value my right to vote than if I were in a more democratic country."

Parthiban Muniandy, 24, PhD student
I don’t feel disconnected, even while in the US. I’ve always tried to keep in touch with the goings-on back home, and, when the opportunity arises, I try to share my thoughts and voice.
I value my right to vote highly and would be very pissed off if it were taken away.

Samantha Chow, 18, Kajang
"I no longer feel as disconnected as I used to feel, seeing that we have much faster updates regarding the political situation when something happens, and that when people gather to do something there is an effect rather than just empty words. I value my right to vote very much and will do so when I am legal."

Irene M. Cho, 28 going on 29
"I feel disconnected because I do it intentionally. "

David Lian, 26, Kuala Lumpur
"I feel disillusioned with politics in Malaysia. My right to vote is reduced to choosing the lesser of two evils. I don't think politicians in this country are really serving the people."

TJ
"Yes, I do feel that way...however, I do realise that if I couldn't vote, the world would be much crazier than it is, so I do. I just don't vote for change."

Phang Kuan Hoong, 27, Kuala Lumpur, musician
"Politics is the reason for a lot of things that are wrong with Malaysia and everyone is connected. I value my vote in the highest sense but am greatly disappointed that the people who ask for my vote often do not value them."

Tiffany Heah, late 20s, Kuala Lumpur
"Yes, I feel disconnected from Malaysian politics and this makes me value my right to vote more because I want to be a part of it."