if your opponent dies tragically, there is no need to deride him or her and say it is a blessing from God that he or she is no more, writes Dominic Damian.
The reported remarks by Umno politicians on the untimely demise of Balakong assembly member Eddie Ng are not without precedence.
Their remarks are reminiscent of the insensitive comments by then Perkasa vice-president Zulkilfi Noordin and former Umno MP Nawawi Ahamad’s following the tragic passing of the late Karpal Singh in 2013.
Five years later, we are subject to the same boorish culture. It tells us a lot of the calibre of certain personalities who once ruled the country (or who backed those in power then) and are now in opposition ranks or on the other side of the fence.
Perhaps they have this sense of entitlement to rule at will while we are considered little more than serfs existing at their pleasure. I wonder if they would come up with such spiteful wrath against any of their own family members who criticised them.
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If they wish misfortune on a fellow elected politician, does it also mean they wish the same for those who voted for that politician? It is sheer audacity that they think that such blatant remarks are acceptable.
Many members of the previous BN administration carry the baggage of non-erasable shameful deeds and abuse of power. Are they deserving of their parliamentary or state seats? The simple fact that they are extremely fortunate to have obtained or retained their seats through a flawed electoral process and through all manner of manipulation does not seem to have affected them or prompted them to exercise a certain degree of humility.
An ex-minister was among the cream of the political elite and yet he set the wrong example with his insensitive comments. When will we ever get to expunge such poison from our political system? I can’t use expletives or swear at them for their behavior. Let’s just say their remarks were totally worthless and rubbish.
We can have different political ideologies, and we don’t need need to like one another. But for heaven’s sake, if your opponent dies tragically, there is no need to deride him or her and say it is a blessing from God that he or she is no more. It just displays obscene depravity and stupidity.
To think anyone could have such vile thoughts contaminating their souls that they could make such reckless statements with impunity. Their respective parties or coalitions would be complicit if they don’t castigate or sanction individuals for such insensitive statements.
Apparently, the dishonour of rampant thievery and thuggery with the subsequent sting of defeat is not comprehensive enough a lesson. Going by comments on social media, it would seem they are loathed.
Yet, they seem to do nothing to restore their image. If these offenders continue on this trajectory, they and their parties could soon be consigned to obscurity. Then there would be vacancies for a new more credible opposition in Malaysia.
Perhaps parliamentary privileges need to be scrutinised and relooked. We don’t want our elected representatives behaving like this inside or outside Parliament or the state assemblies. If they make such callous remarks against the dead or hurt their grieving families, then they should be severely sanctioned by Parliament or the state assemblies.
We are inextricably embedded in a web of humanity. At the end of the day the paper thin differences are over religion and ethnicity, while nationality is almost invisible if we see ourselves as citizens of the world. All three aspects are minuscule within the canvas of life. We are like an indivisible family unto one another.
There must be reverential sacredness when the time of passing falls upon friend or foe alike. I expressed this sentiment upon the passing of the late Muslim scholar Kassim Ahmad. In death, we are just brothers and sisters.
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
Death is an equaliser of humans. Whether a king or a pauper we all die one day and that makes all of us equal irrespective of colour, creed, religions or social status. Death is the last thing in anybody’s life and that is why we show respect even if we don’t know the person. Anyone who derides the dead is anything but human
Some in BN are so frustrated that they utter words without thinking. Parliament session are live telecast yet these brainless guys are just born to make a fool of themselves. May God have mercy on them…..
What more can this BN losers do? They claim they are Muslim, so now does Islam teach this to deride the person who pass away. What if we also tell them the BN down fall is god wish and is a blessing for PH?