LIFE is different for me now. Apart from learning how to pay my bills online, I make it a point to spend my early morning reading the blogs and keeping tabs on what is happening in the country via the Internet. I am also hoping to start my own blog to share my views and new experiences since I am now a Barisan Nasional backbencher. When I was a minister, I had to be aware of my limits and respect my colleagues' authority as heads of their respective ministries. Even when I moved from one ministry to another, from Rural Development to Home Affairs and later to Environment and Natural Resources, I could not question the minister who took over my posts. I could not raise questions or criticise them as and when I liked, but now as a backbencher I have the freedom and flexibility to question them on issues that are close to my heart. There are many things that I am passionate about, such as the environment, illegal immigrants, foreign workers and poverty. I can stand as a critic, a sceptic and a champion when it comes to these issues so that I can become an effective backbencher. Of course, now we have a stronger opposition, but why should I allow them to become champions? So, I will stand and fight for what I know best. I don't think I am going to be too diplomatic when it comes to questioning my fellow MPs, but I do not want to hurt anyone with hard-hitting questions. For example, we know that prices of goods such as rice are sky-rocketing. We know the delivery system is slow. Yet, we hear opposing views in the House. These are things that I will question because we are here to fight for the people who elected us.
