The greatest reverence is due to a child

May Chee Chook Ying 

I’m surprised that those we hold with high esteem in society do not realize that the greatest reverence is due to a child. At least that’s the impression I get when someone gets away with statutory rape, just because he is deemed to have a bright future. And as for the victim, is she deemed to have none, a future, that is?

It peeves me to think that some people or parents think that their children should be deemed more worthy than others. That it’s ok to trample on others as you seek to advance yourself in society and promote your own welfare. What are you teaching your kids? I feel sick when I see people being manipulated, what’s more when the perpetrator is still someone rather young. I do believe that such people, though deemed “successful” (perhaps at a very young age) may find true happiness elusive. For
them, everything has a price. To them, happiness can be bought. I feel almost sorry for them.

Institutions indispensable to the life of communities, like the courts, have as their essential purpose, a responsibility to channel order and organize a “turbulent” society. The purpose of Law is to make sin evident. If the courts allow a rapist to go free, just because he is deemed to have a bright future, are they not sending a message to us parents that we may be obliged to defend and avenge our own members, if justice does not see the light of day in Malaysia? That it’s ok for a national athlete to satisfy the stirring in his loins by victimizing our young? It may be consensual but she’s just a child! Paedoplilia is so, so, not ok!

In my opinion, the decision by the Court of Appeal is damning to both parties. My dear Noor Afizal Azizan, I don’t mean to condemn you but you have made a terrible mistake. The girl or her parents may have forgiven you but forgiveness does not cancel out the necessity of making amends for the wrong you have done. You must learn to respect and protect human life. We do love you but love does not suffice for the making of a person if the strength of character is absent. You must allow the law to impose a discipline on you; to form your will and tame your whims. I believe that if you allow yourself to be rehabilitated, you will become more responsible and realize that you are accountable to others and must answer for your actions. You must be brave. “Berani buat, berani tanggung”, and “tanggung”, you must!

As for those three “Yang Arif”, you are regarded as highly-esteemed for a reason but definitely not for giving the impression that sexual licentiousness can be tolerated if one has a bright future. This kind of message impedes social development insofar as related to the level of responsibility and capacity for self-control. Your daughters, too, have bright futures and no one, not even an Olympian should muddy it for them.

To the young victim and her parents - you deserve better.

God bless.