The madness has to stop
Unfortunately, no one in authority wants to put an end to it.
Citizen Nades
DURING my days in school, Malay was taught as Bahasa Kebangsaan (national language). But they all taught me wrong – I mean my teachers. In primary school, it was Cikgu Alias, who even coached me for the syarahan (oratorical) contest during the Bulan Bahasa Kebangsaan.
In secondary school, I had Cikgu Jonid, Cikgu Idris and Cikgu Khalid (God bless their souls). They too taught me wrong. But the examiners did not fail me. I thought I got it right from the teachers.
My teachers taught me that the word “kecuali” meant “except”, “apart from” or “excluding”. But the Ipoh City Council has given a different meaning and dimension to the word “kecuali”.
Last week, the council issued a circular inviting its staff to a special Hari Raya Aidilfitri gathering on July 1. It contained these words:
Attire: Malays – National Dress,
Non-Malays – Festival Dress of each, except Saree.
In a statement on Saturday, the council said there had been a misinterpretation of the dress code in the invitation sent out to its staff.
“The confusion arose due to misunderstanding. When it says ‘except saree’, it means the staff can wear a suitable saree and those who work in the field can make a choice to wear a saree, office wear, or anything that is appropriate for the ceremony,” the council was quoted as saying.
Now, no amount of apology and explanation is going mitigate let alone alleviate the bullying culture that has pervaded our civil service – right down to the local councils.
There will be Malaysians who do not think before they write (or speak) and there will be Malaysians who continue to be petty. With the advent of social media, no one lives in an insulated environment any more and even a small wrong step can be used to lynch you.
Do you expect anyone to accept this explanation? Why single out the saree? The Little Napoleon in the council decided he is empowered to arbitrarily make such decrees and impose his dress code on others.
This is not the first time when someone has made such decrees which are against public policy. Because these bird-brained and narrow-minded people have been allowed to get away unpunished in the past, the culture has become a permanent establishment.
Elsewhere, a religious leader from Pahang has made a disturbing statement. I am not in the least surprised.
When enforcement agencies practise selective prosecution, there are many who enjoy immunity or have a “protector” in the system. Hence, he is encouraged to do so.
But what surprised me is that not a single member of the cabinet has made his or her stand. Even the prime minister, who told an audience in Oxford about Malaysia’s moderate religious practices, has remained silent.
It was the same PM (I was in the audience in 2011) who quoted the Quran, the Bible and the Torah extensively to propel Malaysia as an example of where moderation is practised.
He was to repeat the same stand two years later in New York where he espoused that many of the world’s problems can be solved if society subscribed to the whole concept of moderation.
If society and governments used moderation in their actions and policies, he said, then the country would have a much more just, fair and inclusive society. He said moderation was based on certain principles and sound values, like justice, sense of fairness, and choosing dialogue over confrontation, and negotiation over conflict.
“Do not marginalise anyone … do not allow the voices of extremism, racism and bigotry to drown your voice,” he said.
These words of bravado were spoken in a foreign country for an international audience. But at home, the extremists (a minority) are drowning the voices of the moderates. That’s because of the stolid response, rebuttal or refutation of such diktats.
The continued outbursts – some which have crossed the borders of decency and legality – are detrimental to our nation. Unfortunately, no one in authority wants to put an end to it.
While the powers that be take offence to yellow ribbons and yellow attire, they don’t care two hoots for someone who is encouraging … (unlawful actions). Where are all the good people and the chest-thumping moderates? Have they retreated to their cocoons because of an impending election?
Amid all this gloom, someone posted a report from Kerala on Facebook. Perhaps, our leaders will translate and distribute copies of this to religious leaders. They should digest its contents for their next sermon.
According to the post, Abdul Raheem, an Afghan soldier, who lost both his arms in war, received a pair of hands from Joseph of Kerala, who had suffered brain death. An accompanying photograph shows Joseph’s wife and daughter meeting Abdul Raheem. The transplant was carried out by Dr Subramaniam Iyer of Amrita Hospital in Kerala. A Hindu doctor, a Christian organ-donor and a Muslim recipient – that’s humanity.
God is great!
This kind of gesture was plentiful in my school days when we ate, played and stayed in each other’s houses without any qualms. The buzzword then was acceptance. It then turned to tolerance which meant that we have to tolerate each other’s nuances. Then came moderation which meant that you do anything in temperance. It has transcended all barriers. Who will be held responsible if this madness does not stop?
R. Nadeswaran supports freedom of expression but will resist any effort to incite or encourage violence. Comments: [email protected]
