Hormat Kepada Orang Tua

Syed Hamid to Murugiah: Don’t butt in.

Malaysians are rich in culture and traditions. Strict rules and regulations are observe in every part of life. There are taboos, do and dont's, cultural performances, etc. "Malaysian proverbs" is one of the myriad of cultural heritage inherited from our fore-fathers. They are commonly used by parents to discipline their children. The folks have many of these short words of wisdom that express effectively some commonplace truth or useful thought. These proverbs have effectively inculcate good manners in young Malaysians.

"Hormat Kepada Orang Tua" or "Respect the Elders" is a popular Malay proverb. It is a wise and profound saying that has been passed from generation to generations. Remember primary school? We have learned a lot of proverbs in school. From standard 1 until SPM. Remember "Pendidikan Moral"?. You have to respect anyone who are at least a day older than you, and you cannot deny whatever they say, even if you don't agree with them. At least not openly, or in front of a third party. Because that would mean you do not respect them. "Diorang Lebih Dulu Makan Garam" or "They've Eaten More Salt Than You" is another proverb to suggest an older person is categorically much wiser than you. By not respecting the elders, then you are not observing your cultural root, your racial lineage. No matter how ridiculous their opinion is, you have to live with it, never criticize them, and you will be fine. Just go to a corner, get a blanket, drape yourself and cry like a gelded donkey.

Barisan Nasional have been ruling in Malaysia for half-a-century. This party is also strict in its dos and dont's. Cultural taboos have been observed incessantly. The leaders are steep in tradition. This is all the more evident when any leader within Barisan Nasional speaks up against a collective decision made in higher echelon, then he will be rebuked by the BN chief whip. A leader who spoke up is entitled for a party disciplinary action. He can be suspended, fired from his post or given show cause letter for his audacity to speak against his "boss". Come to think of it,. Not much different from a proverb "Melawan orang Tua" or "Disrespect to the elders/superior" isn't it?

Remember Datuk S. Sothinathan? He has been suspended for three months as Natural Resources and Environment Deputy Minister. I think it was in 2005. Sothinathan's outburst in the Dewan Rakyat was about the de-recognition of the Crimea State Medical University (CSMU) medical degree. Mr. Sothinathan did not agree by the government decision, and stated his case in the parliament. But look at what he got. SUSPENDED! And this was the party president statement; "As a member of the government he should not have taken the stand to criticise the government. It is a breach of party discipline". There you go my friend "Hormat Kepada Orang Tua". A lot of other ministers condemned Sothinatan's actions, they say it was not appropriate, that he should have taken a more appropriate channel. They say he had "broken rank" (another word for melawan cakap) with the party leadership. But "Au Contraire" my lord, what more appropriate channel than the PARLIAMENT? Should he go to a corner, drape himself in a blanket and cry like a gelded donkey; an appropriate channel?

PUTRAJAYA, 24 Sept — It is inappropriate of Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department T. Murugiah to interfere in the affairs of another ministry, said Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.

The home minister said Murugiah's action - in speaking on behalf of Seputeh Member of Parliament Teresa Kok on complaints she was not served proper meals while in detention under the Internal Security Act - was akin to being a spokesman for the opposition.

"What he has done is not right. I hope he knows how to look after his own turf. He should not interfere in another's affairs...that is not his work."

I say please don't desecrate a proverbial wisdom. Do you have to switch political alliance first before you can speak up for fellow human being? Do you just watch your friend drowning and not do anything because he is supporting Barisan Nasional while you are SAPP stalwart?