Musings on kindness, one Malaysian and 1Malaysia.
As a citizen, we may focus on current issues such as the UKM4, racism instigated by certain parties, unwanted pregnancies and other headliners. These are the main issues that concerns us because we live as a society. But have you sidelined some incidental issues that are related to your everyday life?
I wish to illustrate the “law of kindness” that should be implemented among us. This was triggered by several encounters with people inside trains, buses, and in my college.
Before going any further, what do we understand by “being kind”? Is it being thrifty? Does it mean we need to donate to charities? Does it mean we should contribute our time to good causes? Is it present in the minds of politicians when serving the people? Or do you recognise kindness through money?
Several examples are familiar, especially if you are young, such as giving your seat to elderly or disabled. However we are not the least bit surprised when the train’s doors open, 1Malaysians will rush in and grab their seats. Who are the winners? Who are the losers?
“The law of kindness” appears to be a convention instead of a law as a whole due to the teachings of the parents. The phrase spells “Melentur buluh biarlah dari rebungnya” sounds perfect but it is imperfect. Sometimes in the train, parents travelling with children will allow their children to stand on the seats and “admire” the scenery of Kuala Lumpur. Hello parents, are you okay? Place to sit, sit; place to stand, stand! In doing so, I’ve seen people who deserve the seat having to stand instead.
So are you being kind to others? You have broken the convention of being kind. Yes, the consequences are not serious as if you will be penalised. But have you ever asked your own conscience?
Me: Conscience, how are you feeling?
Conscience: I feel like an ass.
We’d be getting ahead of ourselves if we cannot be one kind Malaysian but fervently strive to be 1Malaysia.
Chris Tan is reading law at a local college and aspires to be a good lawyer. He will not let the fate of the curious cat get in the way of experiencing the new and embracing opportunities to learn. He thanks his lucky stars that he continues to meet fantastic characters from all walks of life, particularly LoyarBurokkers(!), who contribute in making him a wiser person. Life experiences are guides even to heaven’s door. Be amused by his jottings and tweets @christan_yh.
Kindness includes :
1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy.
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution.
Some example : It is kind to distribute instead of sequester wealth. It is kind to allow sequestered land banks for the poor to use for sustenance than prevent them from using it. It is unkind to sequester wealth while others starve or suffer poverty. It is unkind to squat on lands and demand compensation from landowners later when they want to use that land they kindly did not throw you off from earlier.