HAVE Malaysians just stopped caring?

I pose that question, not only to myself, but to The Malay Mail readers, especially those who have been supporting us for many years and through its several transformations.

I have been with The Malay Mail for more than 16 years, out of which, the first nine years I worked as a reporter with the newsdesk.

That was the period when The Malay Mail, the paper that cares, was at the top of its game.

The paper was the voice of the small people, those who had nowhere else to turn to for justice and help when dealing with red tape.

I had my share of helping people through the paper.

One of the most satisfying reports I did was an abuse case.

A woman was being abused, verbally and physically, by her boyfriend of two years.

She was too scared to lodge a police report because he had threatened to kill her.

My report put a stop to the abuse, the Women’s Aid Organisation gave her temporary shelter and the abusive boy friend was arrested and charged.

I still remember how I felt at the time. It was a feeling like no other.

And I am sure my colleagues in The Malay Mail have had their share of such a feeling.

I also spent time manning The Malay Mail Hotline, one of the most popular channels for the people to turn to after all else fails.

Back in the heyday, the line never stopped ringing. Through The Malay Mail Hotline, I helped many people.

Some of the problems were small but enough to put a smile on my face, especially when those I helped called to thank me.

But have Malaysians stopped caring, I asked myself.

I have been haunted by that question after reading stories on how the public turned a blind eye when a fellow citizen was in need of help.

There was a story of a police officer who was shot in public and claimed nobody bothered to lend a hand.

Less than two weeks ago, a woman was beaten by Ah Long in front of a crowded food stall.

A colleague of mine was recently mugged outside a night club in front of club patrons but no one offered to help.

What has become of society?

Have Malaysians become selfish? Could this selfishness have contributed to the many crime cases in the city?

Could it also be one of the reasons why Nurin Jazimin and the life of other innocent vic tims were lost?

I wonder what has happened to the good old days when people cared, even for a total stranger.

No doubt that lately, the pa per that cares has been helping those in need.

But there is only so much a paper can do if the readers stop caring.

Meor Shariman
Assistant news editor

Source: Malay Mail – January 11, 2008