Not seeing the forest for the trees

 

There are many important issues that are often overlooked, either deliberately, or for reasons of their own, quietly brushed aside.

For instance, the story about single mother Loh Siew Hong shows how she lost track of her children’s whereabouts when she was hospitalised following an alleged attack by her abusive former husband.

During her treatment in hospital, her former husband converted their children, then left his twin daughters in a welfare home and enrolled his young son in a tahfiz boarding school.

Many Malaysians said Loh was a bad mother who abandoned her children. They overlooked the fact that she had been hospitalised with serious injuries, after her husband allegedly attacked her with a hammer. The wounds on her head needed multiple stitches. He was also said to have broken the bones in her hands.

Many focused only on the unilateral conversion and not on the issue of domestic violence.

In the case of sales clerk Sam Ke Ting, many were shocked to learn that she had been sentenced to a jail term of six years and a RM6,000 fine for causing the death of eight teenagers on modified bicycles, or “basikal lajak”, despite the magistrates’ court finding her not guilty twice.

Her critics refused to accept that the police had investigated the case thoroughly, that she was not driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, was not half asleep at the wheel, or using her mobile phone while driving.

They refused to acknowledge that cyclists racing their modified bicycles on public roads in the middle of the night posed a danger to road users, and said that Sam should have avoided the teenagers.

But, have they experienced a situation where a group of cyclists suddenly comes hurtling down the road towards their car? Boys who ride these “basikal lajak” can reach dangerous speeds and if they hit a pothole, or get too close to another cyclist, risk falling onto the path of oncoming vehicles or mowed down by vehicles coming from behind.

Also, many have refused to apportion blame on the parents of the victims, or questioned why they had allowed the boys to be out on the streets at 3 in the morning.

When writer Uthaya Sankar SB wrote about polygamy and uploaded his post on his Facebook page, he was arrested and spent a night in a police cell because the authorities deemed he had insulted Prophet Muhammad.

On his release, Uthaya said he had “learnt” his lesson and will never write about Islam again.

Criminalising freedom of speech will lead to a state where the rakyat will not be able to express an opinion that differs from that which is offered by the state.

In 2018, six firemen died in the line of duty when they drowned while trying to rescue a teenager who had got into difficulties in a disused mining pond. The firefighters had formed a human chain and were linked by a flimsy rope. When one fireman lost his footing, the whole group was swept away by strong undercurrents and subsequently drowned.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, the firemen were hailed as heroes. While we are saddened by their deaths, why was there no emphasis on the poor SOP and inadequate equipment for undertaking such rescues? The safety department of the fire and rescue service, or the head of the outfit, should have accepted responsibility for their failure to ensure the wellbeing of their men.

Finally, when graphic artist Fahmi Reza drew his latest picture and uploaded it on his Facebook page, he was arrested in record time. The drawing was that of an ape in headgear and yellow attire similar to that worn by royalty.

Why can’t Malaysians accept that people have their own views about satire? Moreover, Fahmi did not allude his latest painting to anyone in particular.

Such important issues should not be overlooked. Rejecting dissenting opinions cannot be a good thing for democracy. - FMT

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not reflect those of MMKtT.