Current issues, feedback & complaints on public services in Malaysia
I’M writing to express my concern on a few issues regarding our society. I was deeply disappointed over a few incidents that I have encountered.
First is the issue of common courtesy. My mother and I were patiently waiting in line in a supermarket to pay for a mere five items when two ladies with a trolley full of items decided to cut the queue.
We told them that we had been waiting for a long time and that my wheelchair-bound mother needed to go to the restroom.
One then remarked: “Fine, since you are handicapped, we will let you go first.”
It really angers me that some people can be so insensitive towards the less fortunate.
Then I found the supermarket lacked amenities for the disabled. It did not have a restroom for the disabled nor a special parking space for them.
Another incident involved a beggar woman in the Penang General Hospital. She begged us for money while we were waiting in line and we gave her RM5. Without a word of thanks, she asked for more and when we refused, she used foul language on us.
I realise that the woman might not be highly educated, but where is the gratitude?
Having experienced a different type of society, I am very disappointed and to some extent even ashamed of the society of my country of birth.
Hopefully, with the level of education and technology that is developing in this country, social issues and morality will not be overlooked either by the Government or the people who call Malaysia home.
CONCERNED CITIZEN,
Penang.
Source: The Star – January 24, 2008
5 responses to “Sad to say, we’re lacking in social and moral values”
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Peter Yew
January 24th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Courtesy is an alien word in our country where Me First attitude reigns in thoughts and actions. I empathize with your unfortunate experience but would suggest instead of anger a sense of sorrow instead for ‘they know not what they are doing’.
I always believe the rot came with inferior education contents and the deliverers, i.e. the teachers and school heads. BUt I don’t mean that everyone is impoverished here, just that sufficient numbers who made negative headlines send the chill that not all is well. No less to be blamed are the administrators in the education departments. Bad education produce poor citizens and poor citizens provide terrible examples to the young who may be struggling to distinguish the right and good from the wrong and bad. It is a vicious circle that continue to create a generation of inconsiderate, irresponsible and ill-mannered people.
I am hoping that the government will, can and must reverse this unhealthy and destructive trend that make us ugly Malaysian. We may be loved for our natural beauty but sadly we need to show that we are as good as our country is beautiful.
I believe that what we are doing in helping the learning disabled help offset the negative impressions. Some of us are caring to do something positive especially the volunteers. Please visit http://www.pbs.org.my to learn more.
laksarian
January 24th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Should have took your money back.
Dont blame govemen lah
January 25th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Aiayah why blame de govemen? Dis one u people got to take care of yourself..govemen not ur moral teacher..dis u learn at home..ur mother &father teach u good manners not govemen…anyway dis type of peple u find anywhere lah..not just Malaysia..dat why we call dem “kurang ajar” No need to worry lah..Malaysian so rude driving so dis no surprise to me..yo!
jack
January 26th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
“Hopefully… social issues and morality will not be overlooked either by the Government or the people who call Malaysia home.”
Whatever this quote above means, I hope that it isn’t implying that the government has a role in “educating” the public.
I strongly disagree that the Government be dragged into the this issue in this manner. Government is an amoral (as in morally neutral… I don’t mean immoral…) creation of the people. So many attempts of the Government to legislate and enforce kesopanan and budi bahasa ends up in failure. “Educating” the public the way the government has been doing does not work:
1. Moral education in schools
2. Money wasted on advertisements like “Tak Nak” - when their effectiveness is questionable
3. Irritating jingles and songs on RTM
4. Politicians making stupid suggestions e.g. a women who is decently covered up (read: from head to toe) is morally ok and courteous. Women who don’t cover up and get raped have asked for it.
Courtesy begins with every individual. Society can choose for itself how courteous it wants to be. Having our government, and elected leaders lecture us about morality and courtesy is condescending.
Just Me
January 28th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Wow, RM5 and the beggar was still dissatisfied?
Well, even the govt allowed Putra & STAR LRTs to NOT have disabled-friendly amenities, so this created the impression that “it’s okay not to be considerate”.