By: Natalie Shobana Ambrose
theSun, Malaysia (pg 12)
March 8th, 2012
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/315878
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/315878
The world may be at the end of the first quarter of the year but for us in Malaysia
These I suppose are some of the perks of living in a multicultural society that honours the cultures and beliefs of the communities that converge on this land. We sound like an enlightened, progressive lot but when we scrape the surface most times many are just glad for the holiday not knowing what it is for and who celebrates it. Not pointing fingers, I am equally guilty.
Yet there are basic things that one should know especially if you're living in Malaysia to quote a Malay proverb – to avoid being like the frog under the coconut shell thinking the shell is the world (seperti katak dibawah tempurung). In today's Malaysia the excuse of ignorance holds little water. In the last few months, we've had quite a few cultural and religious faux pas in the public sphere demonstrating the level of ignorance.
When a government department wrote "Happy Thaipusam to all who are Buddhists" on their social-networking page, the online community showed no mercy in giving them a good telling off. What a gaffe.
Then there was that group of people who gave out white ang-pow packets to senior citizens claiming they did not realise that white packets are traditionally used for donations at funerals. Imagine what would have been going though the recipients' minds. There was also the public service announcement on how to behave at a Ramadan market that just should not have even been made let alone aired.
It is one thing when an individual is ignorant and makes mistakes but a different thing when it comes to politicians and the media.
There is a higher responsibility code and it should be followed. In saying that however people make mistakes and cluelessness should not be mistook for malice. Yet we spend so much energy burning at the stake those who are incompetent rather than focusing on inculcating the qualities that religion teaches us – acceptance, truth and respecting diversity among other attributes.
There are so many pressing issues in our country that do not get as much attention as they should. So many other issues our government should address instead of music concerts.
If we are to take the moral righteous stance, then why not apply it to the way the country is run and how we treat minorities, migrant workers, the environment and even stray animals.
Why not speak up and be as passionate against the increasing corruption levels in this country, the repulsive wastage of public funds, or the racist rants so frequently articulated by those in power with little or no reprimand.
Lets talk and do something about the lack of social safety nets, how to even-out income distribution, improve our education system and champion good governance.
How is it when it comes to these issues we whisper our dissatisfaction in the confines of our homes and inboxes to trusted peers but we bang our war drums making international headlines for less moderate issues.
We should be making headlines for championing human rights, sustainable development and innovation. But sadly we don't because we keep picking at our wounds and making adversaries of fellow citizens who live under the same coconut shell as we do.
Standing up for what we believe in is imperative but we should follow through in other spheres because we then risk falsely representing our beliefs. To paraphrase a quote, we must examine ourselves to make sure that we are not like the politician who would cut down the ancient giant redwood tree, then mount the stump and make a speech for conservation.
Natalie is learning to practise and accept Robert J. Hanlon's quote "Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity."
Comments: letters@thesundaily.com
