Splash!

Thursday, June 03, 2004

I don't think so...

A senior citizen has highlighted in the papers about the recent social ills, which, according to him, now marks our society as "The Ugly Malaysians".

It used to be the Americans receiving this ugly label but now it seems as though it is hitting back on us. I remember how we used to criticize on the inappropriate western culture for cultivating these social ills, but now it seems that we are more vulnerable to its influences and the adverse effects has taken its toll. For countless times, people have been writing to the editor talking about these outrageous social ills and how the government should take on a more serious role in combating the problem. I think it is time the newspaper should put aside their obligations to publish only the appropriate articles for the citizens of Malaysia. It is high time we discuss it with an open mind to find the root of the problem. I feel that the lack of an open-minded discussion, where people can read and understand the issue in another perspective, has brought on a very negative mentality in our society. Ask anyone on the streets, ask any CEO or even a housewife, and they will tell you different sides to the story. Yes, I know that we need to combat the problem and I am sure we all know that it is because of the complacent attitude of the government - so it is bloody damn no use to keep talking about the same old thing in the papers.

Urgh...sometimes I really hate to read the newspapers - too much restrictions - there is actually no appropriate freedom of speech (even if you think the newspaper actually provides a place for that purpose).

In my opinion, all these social ills stem from our poor mentality. So what if we should reinforce our laws when policemen and government workers themselves are committing these heinous crimes? SO what if we should put back in force the night patrols in neighbourhoods like in the old days when people do not bother maintaining it? I know it is not fair to say this but I feel that all these crimes stem from the "wrong side" of religion. I am not being racist. I only love my home country and I definitely want it to be a safe place to live in - not only for myself, but for everyone who deserves this right. When things go wrong at home, everything goes wrong when we come out into the world. Without proper education and with constant stereotypes about race, religion, and status, these crimes will be an ongoing phenomena! It is all in our head, our minds, our virtues as human beings. Look at the rape cases, for example, incest - where do they always take place? IN poor, uneducated families! This is where the problem lies. Yes, stricter punishments may do the trick for our society which still denies the fact that the main problem comes from poor education at home and from religion. This is what we should be looking at. This is what we call disappointing to the nation. Malaysians have always been speaking of being on same standards as the bigger and more successful nations but it is ALWAYS just paying lip service. Just because somebody is jealous of another race who is richer and more successful, he starts raping and terrorizing that race. Do you not think so this is the ugly side that we have been denying for years, but it is REALITY? We should stop putting ourselves in denial - forget which race is stronger and more dominant. Nationalism does not work this way and it will tear down our desired image and destroy the nation's growth. Look at Indonesia - look at how the Chinese Indonesian are being mistreated. Is this what we want?

Don't look at the western countries and think that they are the ones who set a good example. The only person that you can look up to is a person who knows how to respect another human being of a different skin, race and culture. I am not ashamed of where I come from and I do not think that the western people are all that great either in culture. In my opinion, they are the ones who should be looked down upon because they do not know how to show respect for foreign culture. They just label us for being uncivilized people because of where we come from and their observations of the way we do things. I do not deny that they are more technologically advanced but do not forget that no matter how great your civilization is, you will be deemed the most despicable race if you discriminate and make fun of others. A very good example to look at is CHINA. Yes, they may not be the cleanest of all countries or the most polite, high-profile society, but look at it this way - not everyone has to follow the Western Culture which is so-called "High, respectable culture". We are who we are, if you are not happy with your own culture - just drop it and be part of another culture. After all, it is a matter of choice, but to label your own society and culture as bad apples is, I would deem, very disrespectful.

Well, well...to take advantage of another countries privilage (if it is not a crime) is intelligent, don't you think? It is not even a crime so what is the big deal? We are just using our intelligence. Hey, we are only humans and we live only once with an opportunity that comes our way. On a lighter note, it is time we all recognize REALITY.

By the way, take a look at a recent entry in this blog about LOVE AND MONEY - it is really witty! Click Here!

Yun @ 3:45 AM | |

about me

Home: KL, Malaysia
School: U of A

I am someone who frets a lot - I call it a psychological disorder. I am constantly trying to escape my complex mind which, very often, drives me and my close companions to the edge of insanity. Born under the sun star Libra, I am greatly affected by a disease called "indecisiveness". Nicknames were never part of my dictionary until I met some people who decided to name me "turtle". Soon, I was representing a zoo of hamsters, "sotongs", pigs, cats, etc...

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Relationship - courtship - love

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So much for the fame