I was filling petrol at a station yesterday afternoon.
At the filling bay immediately in front, was a young man who was also filling up petrol, who kept looking at me.
“You’re ABU, right?”, he said, smiling.
I laughed.
Here we go again.
“No, I am Haris. I work with ABU”, I clarified.
“Aiyah, same thing, lah”, he shot back.
I shook my head, still laughing, got into the car, waved, and drove off.
This happens from time to time, I suppose, because, aside from myself, hardly anyone else takes a front line and public position for ABU.
No, I’m not complaining, but just stating it like it is.
The truth, though, is that, just like any other serious initiative, the success or otherwise of the ABU push to see a regime change at Putrajaya post the 13th GE hinges on the unavoidable need for this.
A strong, dynamic, well-equipped and ably manned engine that operates and functions, like that in a well-maintained high-precision motor vehicle, silently and unnoticed.
SEAT?
That’s our Strategic Evaluation & Advancement Team.
You know the material that should be coming out soon in relation to issues 2 and 3 that I mentioned in my ‘Ops Raya Haji’ post?
Credit that to SEAT.
MMT?
Our Media Monitoring Team.
CPT?
The Counter Propaganda Team.
These are just a few of the teams that make up the ABU engine. I’ve not mentioned the others for obvious reasons.
And each day, as we draw closer to GE13, whenever that may be, and factor in information we continue to receive from allies and ground operators, there is an ever-increasing need to set up new teams to undertake new tasks so that the engine can carry this effort into overdrive.
At the secretariat, we are stretched.
We desperately need more hands and minds.
We need as many of you to help us man this growing engine.
And like those manning the existing teams, you’ll work silently and unnoticed.
Good at writing in English, Malay and Mandarin?
We desperately need you.
You do great graphics?
Our media people need your help.
You are active in social media?
We need you in great numbers.
Whatever your skill, we have work that you can surely assist us with.
So many of you who have been present at forums that I have spoken at, have come up to me and asked that perennial question :
“What can I do to help?”.
Here’s your chance to contribute to this effort to restore this nation back to her people.
We don’t decide how much time you give to us.
You do. You set the limit to which you can commit your time.
On behalf of our numerous ground operators and team members, the many Malaysians long marginalised, and myself, I appeal to you all to come and share the burden of this increasing workload.
If you are moved to consider helping us, I ask that you email me at abuvolunteers@gmail.com and favour me with a brief resume of yourself. Tell me what you do a little bit about your family, and where you think you might be able to assist us, and the amount of time you think you can give us.
If you’re a card-carrying member of any non-BN political party, do disclose this.
You will appreciate that there will have to be a vetting process so that we don’t let in the saboteurs. To this end, I will require your NRIC number.
You have my assurance that all information given to me for this purpose will be treated with the strictest confidence.
Please help us.
Wave33
October 20, 2012
We have problem with rural folks. All alternative media are well exposed to the urban folks. Corruption collaborators will remain as collaborators, there is no way to change their support because of the “fringe benefits” that they are enjoying now. Who is going to give up or refuse “fringe benefits” even it is against the law or religion.
The corruption collaborators might be going to church every Sunday or every Friday to the nearby mosque to cleanse their sins of collaborators for the week. These corruption collaborators are making it difficult for the corrupted candidate to lose their election deposit. It would be good to see plenty of them losing their election deposit. Hmm.. did Samy Vellu lost his deposit? But I know, he did NOT have a very Happy Birthday.
ABU need to be extended to Utusan Malaysia readers and TV3 & Astro Awani viewers at large. These are roads less traveled.
Look out for our ‘Balik kampung bawa berita benar’ campaign
Voter Wan Abdullah
October 20, 2012
Well I would like to give it a try…. I be sending you an email soon.
shakuntala
October 21, 2012
The Spirit should be willing, for such a worthy cause, helping Malaysia to rise above its present status.
Think most/some of us would give it a try too…….to help..one way or another, the best possible way we are able to..
Wow, it does sound smart, like the way you’ve described it Haris…something so exacting…at least we are made aware that this plan needs serious, fast moving, motivated persons.
Another Anak Bangsa Malaysia
October 21, 2012
Haris,
Sorry but the only way I can help is to donate $$
Bro,
Dont apologise.
We all do what we can
S. Menon
October 21, 2012
I shall try to do what I can. My e-mail to you will follow shortly.
Thank you
bryan.lee7986@gmail.com
October 21, 2012
Hi Haris, how do i contribute in term of monetary to ABU?
shakuntala
October 21, 2012
Haris before you know it, you are going to be swamped with calls from eager helpers……that’s how anything begins……slowly, slowly at first.
Before long you will have to say, “Sorry folks, you will have to wait your turn”
It will be totally difficult for many to stay away from this excitement and good sense.
Many thanks, methinks I’ll do what I can…best too.
Counter Propaganda. Team….Wow, Wow!!!
Aoaoao
October 22, 2012
I hope you will consider my offer of cleaning up, stacking papers, mopping at the secretariat again.
No, we need you to join me to model our new line of ABU T-shirts.
Can?
Siebel
October 22, 2012
hi Haris,
pls be careful of imposters from UMNO/MIC/MCA/Perkasa who pretend to offer help.
they will know all the secrets and helpers and may expose them.
Yes, Siebel.
That is uppermost in our minds as we vet those who have stepped forward.
Thanks