Freedom Cage

By Natalie Shobana Ambrose            

theSun, Malaysia (page 14)

April 21th, 2011

Miss Muffet and I share a common 8-legged foe. Spiders, cockroaches and flying bugs make me extremely uncomfortable and yes I do cringe at their sight, to put it mildly. I’ve been known to have broken a 2 foot tall window because of this fear and recently came too close in contact with one that was the size of my hand. Though it was a fraction in size to my whole being, I feared it… a lot. Who knew what it could do to me?

Many of us fear the unknown. For some it might be something as small as creepy crawlies, others fear public speaking, death, heights and even fear being alone, hurt, taken advantage of. Most of us fear something. Ironically though, we are actually only born with two fears, the fear of falling and the fear of loud noises. Other fears are learned as we mature through life.

However most adults end up having a lot more than these two fears in life. The problem with fear is that it causes us to make harmful and unwise decisions – like breaking a window or standing on a chair screaming uncontrollably for someone to get rid of a tiny bug. Fear can be paralyzing and can cause us to not trust others.

A lot of times, it is our fear that causes misunderstandings. Fear that someone might take advantage and fear of the unknown can cause us to be adamant to not wanting to understand another’s point.

When it comes to matters closer to our hearts, issues such as religion, tempers flare faster and sensitivities run very deep that we sometimes fight blindly in honour of what we believe in, all because we fear that which is different and we fear being taken advantage of.

So instead, we make rules to contain that unknown and allow freedom for those within that enclosure. Many of us do not know a lot about other religions even though we are a multi everything nation. I remember a few years ago, as I was heading out for a Good Friday service, an extremely educated and well read person smilingly said to me “Happy Good Friday”, and I just looked at him puzzled that he had no idea Good Friday, was indeed a very sad day for Christians and Easter which was a couple of days later, is the happy occasion.

Many of us pay little attention to other religious observances. We’re more grateful for the public holiday then actually knowing why we get the day off. In a country such as ours, where we are to live in harmony and given the freedom to practise our beliefs, it seems wise to know what each other believes in and why certain things are observed at certain times.

Knowledge of these things does not mean we are any less Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or Christian. In fact it then allows us to better understand one another and recognise each other’s world view instead of treating one another’s beliefs as a threat.

The Federal Constitution states that there is freedom to peacefully practice one’s religion, yet there are many who do not have that freedom and continuous legal battles go against what is enshrined within the Federal Constitution. Those who speak up against it are deemed difficult citizens of the state or seen to be taking advantage. But how can that be, if you’re fighting for a fundamental right?

The problem lies when religion is politicised causing a shift in the religious freedom debate. From being able to practise one’s belief without fear and interference, politics has allowed for these tenets to be disrespected under the pretext of maintaining public order or garnering votes.

We can make rules that cage people in and believe that it is acceptable when in reality it is not. James Webster observed it succinctly “We think caged birds sing, when indeed they cry.”

If most fears are learned, it also means that we can then unlearn them if we wanted to. We can make rules and provisions that web restrictions around freedom of religion and think that the citizens are happy about it. The reality is, no one is going to be happy when their basic rights are meddled with.

Natalie hopes that we start seeing each other as equals instead of threats.
Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

The Rabbit Hole of Bad Decisions

By Natalie Shobana Ambrose
theSun, Malaysia (page 20)
April 7th, 2011


Morpheus: This is your last chance. After this, there is no turning back. You take the blue pill – the story ends; you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill – you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.

The Matrix was a movie that triggered a generation to question decisions. The red pill-blue pill monologue became so popular everyone seemed to be quoting it. Instead of the question being will Neo take the red pill or choose the blue pill. It became a question of what we would do and how we would make decisions.

We make decisions everyday, from whether we’ll get out of bed, what we’ll eat, or how we’ll spend the weekend to more weighted decisions about our future, finances and sometimes even important medical decisions. Then there are the more one-off decisions that is more collective which allows us to be a little apathetic when making them, decisions like voting. It’s easy to feel that – at the end of the day, our vote only goes so far. After all, our opinions aren’t taken too seriously especially in local politics. The people voted in, end up handing over their positions, die or jump ship. So why bother right, just tick any box, or better still why waste time. Besides, you’re not consulted when decisions have been made and if you were to disagree with unwise decisions, it doesn’t matter, the decision has already been made for you. Quite like how censorship works on television.

As a nation, candidates fielded lack quality and have made some pretty questionable decisions but keep at it just because a decision was made and changing their minds might be deemed weak. The people only find out once it’s too late. There are multiple bad decisions that were made and stuck to, just because some big shot said so. It doesn’t matter if it was a bad decision; what happens is the "because I said so" mentality kicks in once people are elected. The Port Klang scandal is one such bad decision after another and now that the whistle has been blown, investigations are moving slightly faster than turtle speed.

We don’t learn from our mistakes we just continue making bad decisions like allowing the MACC to continue when there are grave issues surrounding the manner in which it conducts investigations. How many people have to die for change to happen?

What about the proposed nuclear plants. For a country that can’t ensure bridges are built properly or that the ceiling in Parliament doesn’t leak, or that a stadium won’t collapse, how capable are we to handle not one but two nuclear plants? As the rest of the world who have a better track record with implementing proper procedures are rethinking their nuclear energy plants, we’re pressing on – why? All because someone with a lot of power says so and has forgotten that we even managed to lose two fighter jet engines. What’s to ensure the nuclear plants are safe from theft? Sometimes I wonder if our politicians are bored and need more of a rabbit hole experience.

The rare earth plant being built in Pahang comes with the risk of radioactive pollution is another such case. Yes RM700 million is a great deal of money but at what cost and who’s cost? All because someone has made the decision, and we have to go ahead with it because someone chose the red pill and we got the blue one.

We have politicians accused of scandals who insist on staying in power instead of picking other candidates. If the goal is for a better country, a better future, then decisions of who to field has to be based on the principle of higher authority.

If we are the God-fearing nation we keep saying we are, perhaps our decisions should be based on the principle of pleasing God. Maybe then we might start making the right decisions.

Natalie wishes Sarawak all the best in making the right decision.

Comments: letters@thesundaily.com