Cotton wool, crutches, egg shells, and minefields

 

Charles Darwin once said it is not the strongest of species that survives, nor the most intelligent; but it is the one most adaptable to change.

PAS leaders may not be aware of Darwin's message, but rest assured, the party will claim it only has the best interests of the rakyat at heart.

Last week, its deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (above) announced that after the Timah debacle, names or brands that distress the public, or which trigger negative racial or religious reactions from society, will be banned from sale.

This is the nanny state at its best. The party is happy to twist the rules to suit its own agenda. PAS' efforts have nothing to do with religion. It is about garnering Malay votes.

So, how will PAS measure the level of distress caused? If left to PAS, even the H-A-M in Alhambra, Spain might cause distress.

One man's treasure is another man's trash. I am distressed by cigarettes and vaping products, but those who enjoy damaging their lungs may disagree. A prude may find lingerie retailer Ann Summer's products distressing, but others may be titillated.

So who decides? PAS leaders? The public? Will all MPs be given a chance to debate these distressing items in Parliament? If the public gets to decide, then the government will be changed, so this shows who really gets to decide these things.

Such was Tuan Ibrahim's concern about our well-being, that he was prepared to sacrifice his reputation and miss the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow.

Malaysia is one of the top carbon dioxide (CO2) emitters in the Asean region. Deforestation, the pollution of air, water and soil, flooding, coastal erosion, and extreme weather have affected us.

If Tuan Ibrahim had been present in Glasgow, he could have shared Malaysia's commitment to global climate policies. He may have stolen the limelight from President Joko Widodo, who proudly presented Indonesia's contributions to handling climate change.

Instead, our environment minister chose to remain in Malaysia and protect the Malay/Muslim population from further distress.

State policies resulting in entitlement

For decades, Malay politicians wrapped the ordinary Malays in cotton wool. They gave handouts to ease the pain. Education was dumbed-down so that some Malay children could play catch-up. Meanwhile, non-Malay children despaired.

Some Malay parents wanted their children to learn from their mistakes. But some were glad that Malay politicians could fast-track their children to the top.

Non-Malay parents warned their children, "Keep your head down and study hard."

These children - the mollycoddled, and the "anak angkat" (adopted child) grew alongside one another. When they reached adulthood, the inequality experienced in the classroom materialised in the real world.

In one, the sense of entitlement was strong. The other felt stifled and had to work hard to have their achievements acknowledged.

Needless to say, discipline in schools became an issue. When politicians took over the role of parenting and dictated affirmative action policies, they failed to realise the harm they were doing to our children.

Life's lessons were not being taught. Children showed little regard for rules and did not feel empowered, because they were not taught how to make the right choices in life. They lost self-respect and they displayed unacceptable behaviour.

With Malay children - and adults - wrapped in cotton wool, they were slighted by the smallest provocation, and many freely insulted other religions and races without serious reprimand.

Adults could not handle criticism, and when upset, they would lash out with lawsuits and threats of sedition.

As for non-Malays, growing up was like walking on eggshells. Conducting their lives was like navigating a minefield. Their words had to be chosen with care. They had to be selective in their choice of friends.

They had to be careful about the food and drink they consumed, and where they consumed these items. Think Oktoberfest!

After Timah, what else will be banned?

Scientists and inventors question why an experiment works, or fails, before perfecting their technique to ensure success. Lawyers ask questions to scrutinise the facts and obtain the truth.

But only religious champions can waffle on and on about nothing of substance, like the Timah whisky non-issue.

When Tuan Ibrahim said that "distressing names or brands will be banned from sale", will he include books and films about dogs and pigs? Will certain words be removed from public circulation?

Will Muslim veterinarians have to choose another vocation? Will Barbie dolls be banned? Will architects stop designing structures that resemble a cross?

Will Spam be removed from supermarket shelves? Will crosses on football logos be banned? Will dog owners be forbidden? Will the police canine unit have rams or geese instead of dogs?

A person is what he eats. Whisky is absorbed into the non-Malay's bloodstream. The protein of porcine products eaten by the non-Malay will become amino acids for maintaining their body's muscles, bones, blood, and organs.

Will Tuan Ibrahim and the cabinet ban blood and plasma products donated by the non-Malay? Will he decimate Malaysia's blood donation drive?

If a person is truly what he eats, then it is possible that Tuan Ibrahim regularly consumes, what I assume is, his favourite English dessert: A fool.

Update: From a Malaysiakini report, it appears that Tuan Ibrahim will go to Glasgow after all. - Mkini

---

MARIAM MOKHTAR is a defender of the truth, the admiral-general of the Green Bean Army, and president of the Perak Liberation Organisation (PLO). Blog, Twitter.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.