That is the headline in the New Sunday Times 23 April 2006.
I guess this tragedy was just waiting to happen after all the previous news about the shortcomings in the camps - attempted rapes, salary not being paid, trainess being bullied etc. The whole scheme seems to be plagued by problems from day one.
It was a very noble idea to have this scheme supposedly to integrate the youths of the country more cohesively. How do you expect a few months togetherness to bring that elusive harmony and integration when the main racial issues is still swept under the carpet.
Just look at our education policy. The moment a child enters school, he is made aware of how different he is from others not of the same race or religion. There are no concerted effort to ensure that these differences are not barriers to integration. Instead, we see overzealous teachers who go out of their way to strengthen the common misperceptions that we have of each other.
Condolences to the family and others who are sending their children to the NS camps.
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Point Blank
A very appropriate headline. This is the the front page of the New Straits Times, 4 April 2006.
I guess the frustrations of the Inspector General of Police is felt by the public too. I doubt his speech would leave that much of a dent on the police force. An entrenched culture of so many negatives takes more than just a speech to rectify. It will take another IGP or two to see some improvements.
Why does this happen. A million dollar question. Most probably the causes are multi-faceted and the solutions would need a gargantuan effort from everyone interested in seeing a clean, efficient and trustworthy police force become the pride of the nation. I doubt again whether that will happen in my life time.
I wonder how the guilty ones sleep at night. Peacefully??? I guess so since there has been no let up in the number of incidents involving shady dealings between the police and public. I also wonder whether any thought comes to the minds of those black sheeps. I guess it is a sign of the times. We make the best use of whatever advantage that we have. However small or insignificant to others, the power held by the ordinary policeman is supreme in his area of jurisdiction. That power leaps to gigantic proportions when the particular constable is promoted. The rank that comes with the job and the knowledge that you can use it for your benefit. A heady proposition.
I guess the frustrations of the Inspector General of Police is felt by the public too. I doubt his speech would leave that much of a dent on the police force. An entrenched culture of so many negatives takes more than just a speech to rectify. It will take another IGP or two to see some improvements.
Why does this happen. A million dollar question. Most probably the causes are multi-faceted and the solutions would need a gargantuan effort from everyone interested in seeing a clean, efficient and trustworthy police force become the pride of the nation. I doubt again whether that will happen in my life time.
I wonder how the guilty ones sleep at night. Peacefully??? I guess so since there has been no let up in the number of incidents involving shady dealings between the police and public. I also wonder whether any thought comes to the minds of those black sheeps. I guess it is a sign of the times. We make the best use of whatever advantage that we have. However small or insignificant to others, the power held by the ordinary policeman is supreme in his area of jurisdiction. That power leaps to gigantic proportions when the particular constable is promoted. The rank that comes with the job and the knowledge that you can use it for your benefit. A heady proposition.
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