Rising crimes
The surge in cases involving sexual crimes is a worrisome trend. It consolidates the theory that Malaysian mentality remains in the doldrums despite great infrastructure developments. We pay scant attention to developing reputable human characteristics that typify individuals in a developed nation.
Chauvinism is an archaic practice but remains prevalent in our society. It smothers any attempts to understand and thus improve respect accorded to the female gender. The practice of polygamy in our modern day context is in itself an abomination.
During my tenure as a medical officer in a rural setting, I have seen girls as young as 12- 14 being married off to much older folks. Not only are the girls then deprived of an adequate education but it also removes their right to choose. Many of these girls are married off by their respective families due to financial difficulties. One would have thought that this practice is confined to less developed nations.
It was announced recently that Terengganu is hiring some undercover vigilantes, to spy on couples who may be unmarried and on the brink of a sexual encounter. If only the authorities could muster such a force to solve the many still unsolved rape cases. Such proposals to spy is open to abuse and is bound to attract corruption. We should be a nation that stresses on educating our young and how our current education can be further enhanced to improve the knowledge and understanding of boy-girl relationships. Policing amorous couples, is to me, pointless and extremely short-sighted.
Recognising mental illnesses is important. Seeking early professional help is paramount to avoid unwanted behaviours. I feel psychiatric disorders are extremely common yet under-recognised in our society. Even the recent spate of family murders is testament to the bizarre consequences of not recognising psychiatric illnesses.
The bottomline remains on strengthening our educational system. We need radical ideas to overhaul an education system that is still extremely examination orientated. This is to me the key to a safer future for our society and women in particular.
Chauvinism is an archaic practice but remains prevalent in our society. It smothers any attempts to understand and thus improve respect accorded to the female gender. The practice of polygamy in our modern day context is in itself an abomination.
During my tenure as a medical officer in a rural setting, I have seen girls as young as 12- 14 being married off to much older folks. Not only are the girls then deprived of an adequate education but it also removes their right to choose. Many of these girls are married off by their respective families due to financial difficulties. One would have thought that this practice is confined to less developed nations.
It was announced recently that Terengganu is hiring some undercover vigilantes, to spy on couples who may be unmarried and on the brink of a sexual encounter. If only the authorities could muster such a force to solve the many still unsolved rape cases. Such proposals to spy is open to abuse and is bound to attract corruption. We should be a nation that stresses on educating our young and how our current education can be further enhanced to improve the knowledge and understanding of boy-girl relationships. Policing amorous couples, is to me, pointless and extremely short-sighted.
Recognising mental illnesses is important. Seeking early professional help is paramount to avoid unwanted behaviours. I feel psychiatric disorders are extremely common yet under-recognised in our society. Even the recent spate of family murders is testament to the bizarre consequences of not recognising psychiatric illnesses.
The bottomline remains on strengthening our educational system. We need radical ideas to overhaul an education system that is still extremely examination orientated. This is to me the key to a safer future for our society and women in particular.
