Three wise monkeys - the 2020s version

 

The ancient Japanese proverb "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" was popularised in the 17th century and carved in the famous Tõsho-gū Shinto shrine in Nikkõ, Japan.

Some meanings ascribe the monkeys in the proverb, as being of good mind, speech and action.

The phrase is often used to refer to those who deal with impropriety, by turning a blind eye.

As such, it is perhaps timely, and appropriate, to paraphrase the proverb, to reflect today's societal environment almost everywhere in the world, including in Malaysia.

Thus, I choose to rephrase it as see nothing, hear nothing, say nothing and I add, do nothing.

This is so prevalent now when governments and those in authority seem so far removed from reality from what the people are facing, and almost deaf to the cries of the distressed, and impervious, to what improprieties and wrongdoings there are, amongst them.

It is the syndrome of "the emperor with no clothes" all over again.

Reports can be made, they do not see. 

Public outcries are seen and heard by others, on so many issues and aberrations, they do not hear.

So much proof has come out, they do not do anything.

What is happening to our national compass? 

The modern-day Neros even have "jolly" times abroad while the nation continues to face devastating floods. Absent without action.

In short, and I repeat: hear nothing, see nothing, say nothing and do nothing. It seems that's the new SOP, the modus operandi of governance.

What is happening to our national compass? Especially of the national governance.

Have the pandemic and flood inundated the minds and values of some people, such that what is universally rejected as bad, unacceptable and of national shame, is to be of no concern and simply to be brushed aside?

Or worse still, totally ignored and kept under wraps?

Are they shaping a Keluarga Malaysia which condones bad behaviour, misdeeds, corruption and anything that is the antithesis of what is good for Malaysia and the rakyat?

And forging a dysfunctional family that has members who tolerate, and even exacerbate misdeeds and notoriety amongst them, even if it hurts the society and brings shame to the nation.

That does not augur well for our collective future. May the almighty save our nation. - Mkini

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RAFIDAH AZIZ is a former international trade and industry minister.

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