Kebobrokan

Yesterday, I was stumped by the word above when I read the Malay papers. I mean, a cursory glance of the headlines first left the impression that the word was 'keburukan' (the vices).  Well, while I am not proud of the fact that my competency in my own mother tongue language is far below my proficiency in English language, I guess my prediction was not too far off the mark.

But seriously...
Look at the ills of my community.  It has long been an issue that the Malays are not only lagging behind academically, but now, the main concerns is that we are even widening the gap socially.  The point is not just to do some finger pointing, or go deep to analyse the root cause of all these un-Malay behaviour...But then again,...really un-Malay? Or, have the recent ugly cases highlight the heart of the Malays themselves?

It is a vicious cycle, and no matter how we look at it, something has got to be done.
How many more little children have to suffer at the hands of thoughtless 'adults'? Al-fatihah for the souls of the late Edy, and Nonoi...and many others who lost their lives through cruel abuse...and a pray for those who have fallen prey to incest and senseless crimes committed by non-other by those who are 'family.

I know I will be guilty of making the worst assumptions and flawed reasoning...but look at things this way.

The Malays...
We still have the highest number of teenaged marriages. (No, I have nothing against marrying young). But a) a lot of these marriages are 'cover-ups' or shot-gun marriages arranged to cover the 'shame' of pre-marital liaisions b) a legal way some parents view to end the 'gatalness' of their children.  c) a quick way to gain 'freedom and independence'

But...
who are those who marry early or young?
Mainly those, who belong to the lower social strata...Not likely those who are pursuing higher education and or establishing themselves in more stable careers.
Are we really a community who think that 'asal cukup makan'?...that we are easily satisfied with our lot?
How far sighted are we as a community?
A lot of the young people naively think that LOVE is the most crucial ingredient to a long lasting and stable marriage.  Love alone is never enough.

The numbers do not lie.
While we are the minority group, how come statistically, we hold the highest number of divorces and re-marriages?  Why are we still the group producing the largest number of children?  How many of these children fall victims to broken , dysfunctional, multi-families?

Education has come far in Singapore.
That is one area where as a people, we stand an equal chance to prove ourselves and capability.  Yet, again, I see the high number of my people in the 'less-academically inclined streams'.  For years, we tried to push up the academic grades at all national levels, yet...we have the highest number of mainstream school leavers.  It is so so so sad.

There is just too much to think and reflect about.
We have a critical problems on our hands...
The question now is...what are we going to do about it?


Prayer for the day:
Dear God,
I thank you for Your Blessings.  I am the lucky one.
and I pray for your continued Love and Protection.
Ameen