By TK Chua
The Pakatan Harapan government needs to satisfy the voters who put them in power after the May 9 general election. To do that, they need to carry out what was promised to the people.
If not, people will say electing them into government was probably in vain. We have spent enough time talking; now is the time for action.
Firstly, why are we still contemplating and procrastinating on the issue of abolishing child marriages? Are we still waiting for some great pronouncements from certain “enlightened” people?
Look, child marriages are exploitation of the rich, the lustful and the powerful against the poor, the ignorant and the helpless, period. There is nothing religious, cultural or traditional about this.
To parents of all faiths, religions and racial backgrounds, just ask yourself this simple question: Would you give your child away in marriage or would you prefer another child to suffer, so long as it’s not yours?
Don’t be a hypocrite, answer this question truthfully.
Have we ever wondered why religions and traditions are used in support of child marriages but at the same are used against lesbians, bisexuals, gays and transgenders (LBGT)? This highlights my second issue — the acceptance of the LBGT community.
Why are child marriages okay, but LBGT not? Do we know which one is “dirtier”, “more depraved” and “abhorrent”? I don’t know the answer, but surely the enlightened ones know the difference.
By the way, if we are accepting LBGT, please accept all of them, not selectively. Don’t just accept LGBT when they are beautiful, rich and of a certain status but hurt those who are not. Can we do just that?
Any form of indoctrination is bad. It robs one of human dignity and inculcates a herd mentality. It provides an avenue for the powerful to perpetuate their power and influence. Hence, Biro Tatanegara (BTN or National Civics Bureau) should be abolished.
So what are we waiting for? We can’t “train” or “talk” ourselves into patriotism. Patriotism will come naturally when citizens enjoy a decent living and are treated fairly and with dignity.
If you don’t believe this, ask the communists.
Everyone knows the BTN has been abused to inculcate certain ideologies. So, abolish it now, not later or pending a study.
Finally, recognise the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) now, not wait possibly another five years to “study” it.
I am not fighting for UEC recognition per se. I am fighting against intransigence, fanaticism and racialism.
We must get our bearings right. Delaying the recognition for the UEC, as was promised, is not just an education issue. It is the “dominance and subservience” playbook again, not unlike the policies of the previous government.
We do not need to wait another day to address these four issues.
TK Chua is an FMT reader.
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
It’s not complicated, Latheefa tells Wan Azizah on child marriage
UEC not part of Pakatan’s ‘100 days’ pledges, says manifesto chairman