BULLYING (Both Victims and Bullies Are at Risk)

The writer believes that a beautiful camaraderie
 makes life a wonderful journey.

            When somebody is physically assaulted or harassed, he will either fight back or run. Both will have unintended consequences. If he were to fight back, he will be charged with fighting. If he were to run for his life, he will be labelled a coward. A third option is to submit. If he were to do this, he will not only be hurt physically but also suffer mental and emotional trauma. 

            A recent video on social media that went viral showed a helpless boy being bullied by five other pupils. Will this be the last bullying video to go viral?

            The situation becomes more worrying as bullying, which had been a serious issue in universities and secondary schools, is now happening in primary schools. Until there are effective solutions to this problem, children in kindergartens and pre-schools could become the next victims to be infected by this “virus”.

            In the past, bullies were usually those living in poor neighbourhoods with low academic achievements. These days, however, many come from good families and educational background. They have good looks and manners but these can be deceiving.

            Some people may not realise that both victims and bullies are at risk and need to be saved. The effects are both short and long term. Victims may lose confidence, have difficulty trusting people, be depressed, score low grades and develop suicidal thoughts and feelings. Bullies may develop negative behaviours and attitudes, and become involved in crimes such as robbery, snatch theft or murder.

Various actions have been taken against bullies. School authorities have sent these hooligans for counselling, with some students even being expelled. Parents have advised, warned and even begged their children to behave. Campaigns, too, have been carried out.

We have put in traditional and modern efforts to curb bullying but to no avail. Nevertheless, we should not stop because our effort could save lives.

            Bullying cases should make us reflect on our roles and responsibilities in society. Parents who think that they have done enough should think again. Teachers, too, should never abandon good values in their lesson plans as the aim of education is the knowledge, not of facts, but of values (William S.Burroughs).

Every teacher should be inspired by the character, Erin Gruwell, in the 2007 film Freedom Writers for her passion and patience in changing the attitude of a group of problematic students living in a violent environment. 

Bullying has become a troublemaker's cup of tea. We will continue crying over spilt milk if the “vaccine” for this “disease” is not found.        

Courtesy of New Straits Times

10 January 2015

Human Trafficking (A Heinous Crime that Leads to Inhumane Acts)

The writer believes that a beautiful camaraderie
 makes life a wonderful journey.

            The revelation by Datuk Akhbar Satar regarding human trafficking in his article “Modern-day slavery must stop” (NST, Dec 31) shows how serious the crime has been and can be. Almost everyone is at risk to be victims of this crime, with women and children becoming the criminals’ “favourites”.

            The exploitation of women and children has become themes for local and foreign films. In the 2008 movie Changeling, Walter Collins was kidnapped by a child abuser. In the 2010 South Korean film The Man from Nowhere, So-mi was abducted by gangsters and was turned into a child slave. And, in the 2011 Malaysian film Songlap, the plot revolved around the exploitation of women and trafficking of children. 

            These films should have been eye-openers regarding the reality of human trafficking and exploitation, but many watched only for entertainment.

            Child trafficking is the result of child abduction. Parents, who spend more time at work, are late in fetching their children in kindergartens or schools. This situation puts the children at risk. Strangers may approach these children and coax them into their car.

            Even when children are with their parents, they can go missing in the blink of an eye, especially in crowded places. This happens when parents switch their attention to something else, be they checking messages or talking to somebody over the phone, leaving their children unmonitored.

            Teenagers with family problems are likely to become victims of human trafficking. Family problems will lead to social problems that make these teenagers take wrong turns in life. Once they start mingling with the wrong people, they will become easy targets of manipulative individuals.

Young girls are lured to elope with men they hardly know. As a consequence, these girls end up working as guest relations officers in clubs. Some of them are mistresses to the rich and powerful whose businesses are usually illegal. They are made to feel special about their position without realising that they are slaves to their masters.  

Human trafficking violates human rights and encourages inhumane acts. Victims lose their right to education. They lose their right to enjoy a free and fair world. They lose their right to be free from torture and slavery. Worse, the victims are forced to live without body parts and organs, a result of the organ-harvesting trade.

While the authorities strive to end crime syndicates, the public should raise awareness about the issues. We need to abolish slavery and eradicate human trafficking. After all, a free country should set everyone free. 

Courtesy of New Straits Times

6 January 2015

SOCIAL MEDIA (Care for Others' Feelings)

            In the past, children learnt to read and write using pencil and paper, while parents and teachers put in their best effort to ensure that children developed basic learning skills. It was rare then for children to be computer literate, going by the living status and backgrounds of their families. However, for some 7-year-olds today, it has become routine for them to turn on the computer and log on to Facebook.  Welcome to the borderless world of the Internet.

            Since the rise of social media, tech-savvy people are opting to communicate via such platforms. In fact, checking notifications or messages on smartphones has become the must-do activity for teenagers and adults as soon as they wake up.

           Compared with other social media platforms, Facebook is more popular because of its charm and influence. Some people have multiple Facebook accounts for different purposes.

          On Facebook, a grandparent and a grandchild can become friends, long-lost friends can reunite, and strangers from different continents can become best friends. Students can consult their teachers via Facebook. Sellers can promote their products, while some people meet their other half on the site. Users can also RSVP to event invitations via Facebook, as it is a faster and cost-effective method. This way, event organisers, too, can more accurately estimate the number of guests.

            Above all, Facebook users enjoy the privilege of freedom of speech.

The writer (in white shirt) believes that a beautiful camaraderie makes life a wonderful journey. 

            It has become a trend for users to create special groups on Facebook to discuss various topics. This is beneficial, as people can engage in healthy discussions and share opinions or give suggestions. Members of such groups learn to respect other points of view, as they realise that people with different experiences and backgrounds may have a different perception of things. 

            However, some people are only "keyboard warriors", who misuse social media to vent anger and frustration. They criticise others without a second thought or feeling guilty. Worse, such people use foul language in their posts. Little do they know that their comments may lead to conflict or other consequences, especially if they touch on sensitive issues.

            "Keyboard warriors" are normally those who are easily influenced by what others share on social media. Some may have the intention of just feeding the curiosity of others regarding the latest news, but they should evaluate the reliability of the articles before sharing them. 

             This is important, as nowadays, there seems to be more people obsessed with sharing fake news that cause others to be confused or panicked, especially when there are different updates available on the same issue. Such irresponsible individuals usually over-generalise, exaggerate or twist the stories to make them appear more interesting.    

            Technology is meant to make life easier, not harder. Everyone should stop sharing rumours, hoaxes and scams, while the use of offensive language on social media should be avoided.

Sharing is caring, but do we really care about the feelings of other people before sharing? 

Courtesy of New Sunday Times

4 January 2015

FLOODS (Learn from the Experience)

The writer believes that a beautiful camaraderie
 makes life a wonderful journey.

After almost one and a half months of break, schoolchildren are excited to return to school for a new academic year. These children miss their classmates and teachers. And, certainly, they want to wear their new uniforms and learn new things.

However, for flood victims, those feelings may be accompanied by hopes to go home again, eat proper meals and sleep soundly. How they wish the floods were only nightmares and they would wake up feeling relieved. Unfortunately, it was not a dream.

It is a thoughtful decision by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to delay the start of the school term by a week. It is hoped that the situation will improve soon so that parents and teachers will have enough time to clean their houses and repair the damage. The decision also benefits schools inundated by floodwaters or used as evacuation centres as the clean-up works can be done within the period.

While we pray for the best for the victims, we should realise that the pain that they endured during the floods will be worth it only if we learn the lessons and share them with others.

When natural disasters like earthquakes, blizzards and cyclones strike other countries, we try to make our children learn from those calamities but most of the time, the advice and reminders fall on deaf ears. But this time, nothing can beat the feeling of having to experience the disaster themselves.

I believe it is the best time to educate students on the valuable lessons learnt from the floods. Teachers should carry out sharing sessions with students to reflect on the floods experiences. This may teach children the values of humanity, appreciation, sensitivity, patience, empathy, inner strength and gratitude.

For example, children who were evacuated learn that patience and inner strength are needed to survive the disaster. They also need to realise that the disaster has brought people closer.  

As for those not affected, humanity is the most important lesson they need to learn. To help people in need is a noble act, while to give them moral support is a thoughtful gesture. They should feel blessed and thankful for being protected from the disaster.

Instilling good values in schoolchildren at the early part of the school term will form a strong base that helps learners to study hard, think positively, and live appreciatively.

Courtesy of New Straits Times

3 January 2015

FLOODS (Show Support To Help Victims Stay Strong)

The writer believes that a beautiful camaraderie
 makes life a wonderful journey.

            The year 2014 has been a year of trials and tribulations for Malaysia and its people, following a series of unforgettable events.

            From the missing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, the downing of MH17 and the devastation of Cameron Highlands to the recent floods hitting half of the country, 2014 is, undoubtedly, one of the most memorable years for the nation.

            It is true that people are free to interpret hidden meanings or messages from the ordeals, but they will end up being either optimists or pessimists.

It is, undeniably, a lot easier for us to think negatively given that the catastrophes have caused deaths and conflicts. Everyone blames each other and as situations prolong, speculations add fuel to the fire. This is what happens when people see the glass as half empty.

            Optimists, on the other hand, believe in a silver lining, fate, tests of patience and strength, and signs to change for the better. They stay positive and reflect on the past.

            There is no occurrence without a reason. A disaster teaches humans that no one is better than the other. When it strikes, the rich and the poor, and, the young and the old, will have to face it. Justice prevails when we least expect it. Show concern and and sensitivity for the victims.

            However, some ignorant people regard disasters as common phenomena and do not take them seriously because their families are not affected. Others think that it is their responsibility to help those in need. And we need more of the latter during the recent floods, especially when the number of evacuees is increasing.  

            As the situation worsened, it is important for us to ease the victims’ burden by lending a helping hand. While the government and non-government bodies work to help provide flood victims with shelters and food, others can donate money and clothes. Volunteers, too, can join rescue teams.

            When everyone is eager about the updates, it is disappointing that some people have fun sharing fake news regarding flood conditions. These false reports shared via various social media platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter, may cause people to panic and take wrong actions, thus making things worse.

To prevent the number of deaths and missing victims from increasing, those in the affected areas should be careful and parents need to remind their children to stay away from floodwaters as it is nearly impossible to survive strong currents.

The victims’ health conditions, too, should be checked regularly, if possible. This is to protect them from water-borne diseases or other types of illnesses.

It is indeed during this difficult time that our positive attitude, continuous support and prayers are needed to help the victims stay physically and emotionally strong.

            And as we welcome the New Year, let us learn from yesterday, live for today and hope for tomorrow (Albert Einstein).

Courtesy of New Straits Times

30 December 2014

2004 TSUNAMI (Take Heed Of Lessons From Tragedies)

The writer believes that a beautiful camaraderie
 makes life a wonderful journey. 

            The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami remains one of the deadliest natural disasters in history. People all over the world commemorated the 10th anniversary of the tragedy on Boxing Day this year. This catastrophe caused hundreds of thousands of people to die, with Banda Aceh in Indonesia the most affected area.  

            After every storm, comes a rainbow. In the aftermath of the tsunami, the world developed a sense of humanity, while the people in Aceh now live in prosperity as conflicts came to an end and there was no more fighting, according to Indonesian political editor Zainal Arifin Mohd Nur. 

           It is undeniable and inevitable that, sometimes, humans need to learn the hard way. While it is important for us to be grateful for not having suffered as much during the disaster, some of us fail to understand the message that it brought and continue to create problems without any sense of guilt.

            Malaysia is a democratic country blessed with a multicultural society. However, political and racial conflicts tear us apart and destroy the harmony we try to sustain. With a number of political parties with different ideologies, many Malaysians are caught in the middle and hope that the conflicts will not be prolonged, and that there will be a mutual agreement at the end of the day.

            Judging from today's scenario, integration among people of various races is still lacking. Take our universities and national schools, for example. Students are apparently more comfortable forming cliques among their own race. 

          The problem becomes worse when students form “clubs” that specify criteria for membership, and the members of these small groups are usually segregated by gender, interest, social status and place of origin. This unhealthy trend limits social interaction and discourages cooperation.  

            Not only have we failed to create chemistry with fellow humans, we have also failed to develop a good relationship with the environment. The destruction in Cameron Highlands in the past few months resulted in mudflows and landslides that have claimed several lives. Greed has driven selfish individuals to sacrifice our natural treasure, while forgetting the fact that humans need trees to survive. Illegal logging has damaged communities and destroyed wildlife.

This phenomenon is the result of corruption, which has been a serious problem in the country for many years. Corruption not only affects our environment, but will also cost the country its economic growth and reputation. And the fact that more people are losing their integrity and are in cahoots with those involved in illegal deals is worrying.

            As 2015 approaches, we need to at least end this year realising that the act of humanity does not only strengthen our relationship with other people, but it also shows that we respect and care for our environment. And only with humanity, can society prosper.

Courtesy of New Sunday Times

28 December 2014

CURIOSITY (Nurture Critical Thinking In Young)

The writer believes that a beautiful camaraderie
 makes life a wonderful journey.

            Christmas is in the air and for Christians around the world, it is the season of merriment, togetherness and prosperity. While adults are busy preparing for the festival, children are excited about unwrapping presents. And curious kids will be waiting under the Christmas tree or near a chimney, wondering, “Will Santa Clause really come down?

            When children ask questions, they are curious. This is the focus of the poem I Wonder by Jeannie Kirby. In the poem, the inquisitive child is impressed with the wonders of nature and he wishes there is an explanation for the extraordinary ‘work of art’. These children are young thinkers.

            I read Ahmad Faizuddin’s letter “Producing intellectual heroes” (NST, Dec 19) with pleasure, and agree geniuses are made, not born. When the sky is the limit, children are free to imagine and to expand their creativity. To encourage critical thinking, children should be raised in an environment that helps them think.

Bright children are produced by smart parents, who cultivate a reading culture at home. However, this practice should go beyond classic choices, including Aesop’s fables and Hans Anderson tales or Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales. Children born in the millennium may be more interested in Harry Potter series or perhaps, Roald Dahl’s collection of short stories.

Reading fiction helps children activate their thinking skills and make assumptions during the process. When children learn the reading habit early, they will grow up being avid readers who are passionate about learning and sharing new ideas. In fact, reading made the characters Will Hunting in the 1997 film Good Will Hunting and Hermioni Granger in Harry Potter  geniuses.

            Since all read and no play makes a child’s life less intriguing, parents should create a balance between reading and playing by introducing their children to fun, yet beneficial games such as Monopoly, Minecraft or chess. These games teach them to make decisions and be confident. 

Courtesy of New Straits Times

23 December 2014