By Veena Babulal - NST, April 6 2008
Even during speeches, newly-elected Subang member of parliament Sivarasa Rasiah cannot help glancing at his watch. Sometimes, straight after a speech, the human rights lawyer sends text messages confirming appointments.
On a busy day, Sivarasa could go to court twice, study case files until 10pm and then attend a party meeting stretching past midnight. And now, even weekends, formerly reserved for time with his wife, theatre personality Ann James, are shared with his constituents.
Juggling phone calls, text messages and meals, the Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice-president is humbled but not overwhelmed by his win over MIC rookie S. Murugesan with a majority of 15,460 votes. “I’m not dazzled by the bright lights or put off by the workload. This is part and parcel of having convictions and wanting change,” he said.
“Now that campaigning is over, at least, I have time to meet the people I’m to serve, and not just offer them options through the party manifesto like a multiple-choice exam paper.”
The man who had been working in Petaling Jaya Selatan for the past five years admits to still learning the issues in his constituency, with neighbourhoods as contrasting as the up-market Tropicana and Kota Damansara with its many factories.
He is also a founder member of Suaram and Citizens Against Rape. What he looks for through the microscope of Subang are issues the state and federal administrations have not voiced out in parliament.
“Like the rest of Selangor, water tariffs and strata titles seem to be the issues here. It’s surprising that I pay less than RM80 for my bungalow’s two-month water bill in Petaling Jaya, while, sometimes, low-cost flat residents have to pay up to RM700.”
Citing the Saujana Ria apartments in Taman Wangsa Permai, Sivarasa said the management company of the low-cost apartments had installed bulk meters, registered under code 17 of the Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd water tariff schedule (RM1.38 per cubic metre), which is meant strictly for condominiums.
“By doing the rounds, I’m starting to see the bigger picture,” he added. The functions, conferences and night markets are a luxury compared to what Sivarasa has faced in the name of activism before. Standing up for what he believes in has not been fun. He has been arrested six times, mainly for taking part in demonstrations.
“Of course, I get scared each time I demonstrate. Imagine 50 men with banners and placards and 500 well-prepared policemen plus a few Federal Reserve Unit teams. “You can look forward to arrest, but I assemble peacefully because I believe change is possible through politics and social activism,” said Sivarasa, who took part in the Dec 9 lawyers’ walk on Human Rights Day.
At the moment, he is looking forward to writing a paper for an upcoming law conference, spending time with his family and going back to the gym, a luxury he has not had since he was fielded as a candidate.
Sivarasa temporarily lost his voice due to thyroid cancer in 2000 and was forced to speak through a boom box speaker and microphone for a year afterwards.
He said parliament “would be interesting”. And he plans to use his voice. “I won’t shout. I don’t like catcalling and booing, but now that the opposition numbers are greater than ever, we won’t be easily silenced.”
