13/03/2025

THURSDAY | MAR 13, 2025

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Finding the treasure within I N a world saturated with digital noises, finding moments of genuine connection with ourselves can feel like a rare treasure. external achievements, believing that happiness lies in some distant, idealised future.

achievements only to realise that the things that truly matter have been within reach all along. This does not diminish the significance of Santiago’s journey. On the contrary, his experiences were essential for his transformation. Without them, he would not have developed the wisdom, resilience and courage necessary to recognise the treasure when he found it. This is the paradox of life: we often need to venture far from home to appreciate the treasures that have always been there. The Alchemist invites us to look inward, to rediscover the treasures that lie within. It reminds us that the journey itself is the destination and that the true wealth of life lies not in material possessions but in the experiences that shape us and the wisdom we gain along the way. It is a call to embrace our personal legend, to listen to the whispers of our hearts and to trust that the universe will conspire to help us achieve our dreams. DrPraveena Rajendra is a certified mental health and awareness practitioner specialising in narcissistic abuse recovery. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

simply life’s way of redirecting us towards our true path. One of the most insightful aspects of Santiago’s journey is his encounter with an Englishman, a scholar who has dedicated his life to studying alchemy. This encounter highlights the crucial distinction between knowledge and wisdom. The Englishman possesses a wealth of theoretical knowledge but lacks the practical experience to transform his understanding into reality. This serves as a powerful reminder that true wisdom is not merely the accumulation of information; it is the integration of knowledge with lived experiences. How often do we delay pursuing our dreams, waiting for the perfect moment or the ideal circumstances? We become like the Englishman, believing that intellectual preparation is sufficient for success. But life does not reward hesitation. It rewards action, even when that action is imperfect or uncertain. The culmination of Santiago’s journey reveals a profound truth: the treasure he sought was buried beneath a sycamore tree in the very field where his journey began. This revelation is a powerful metaphor for our own lives. We often search for fulfilment in external

We chase after material possessions, societal approval and the elusive sense of “having it all”, often overlooking the treasures that lie within. Coelho introduces the concept of the “personal legend” – a unique path that each of us is destined to follow. It is the calling that resonates deep within our souls, guiding us towards our true purpose. Yet, we often silence this inner voice, dismissing our intuitive nudges and gut feelings as mere whims or coincidences. The book reminds us that the path to our personal legend is rarely smooth. Santiago faces numerous obstacles, from being robbed to enduring the harshness of the desert. However, these challenges are not setbacks but essential lessons that shape his character and deepen his understanding of the world. How often do we perceive adversity as a failure rather than an opportunity for growth? Perhaps the detours and disappointments we encounter are M I N D R A J E N D R A

“We chase after material possessions, societal approval and the elusive sense of ‘having it all’, often over looking the treasures that lie within.

I recently rediscovered that treasure within the pages of Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist , a book that, in its simplicity, offers profound insights into navigating our lives. It has been a while since M I N D T

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a book has held my attention so completely, a testament to how easily our minds can be scattered by the constant barrage of digital distractions.

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The story follows Santiago, a young shepherd driven by a recurring dream of hidden treasure near the Egyptian pyramids. His decision to pursue this dream sets him on a transformative journey, one that takes him far beyond the familiar landscapes of his homeland. This journey, however, is not merely a physical voyage; it is an exploration of the self and a quest to uncover the hidden depths of his potential. Santiago’s story serves as a mirror, reflecting our innate desire to find meaning and purpose. We often find ourselves searching for fulfilment in

LETTERS letters@thesundaily.com

Protect our children from sugar-coated traps MALAYSIA is facing a chilling reality – candies and toys masquerading as harmless treats but designed to mimic vapes, syringes and cigarettes are infiltrating stores, targeting our most vulnerable: children. The pattern is clear: dangerous products reach children long before regulators intervene. Why do these products keep reaching our children despite existing regulations?

Malaysia continues to struggle to keep these deceptive and dangerous products off store shelves. The root causes include regulatory loopholes where there is no specific law banning candies that resemble adult products. Authorities rely on trade description laws rather than child safety regulations, creating gaps that manufacturers exploit. Weak enforcement, where many of these candies are cheap imports entering Malaysia with misleading labels or fake halal logos, makes it difficult to track them. Occasional raids are not enough to stop the flow. With strong market demand and children naturally drawn to these products, some shopkeepers secretly stock them, selling them under the counter or via online platforms – making regulation nearly impossible. A sluggish government response – where authorities often act only after public outrage or a tragic incident – worsens the problem. Why must we wait for a death or a video shared by many before action is taken? This issue demands more than just national enforcement; it is time for coordinated regional and global efforts to ban these hazardous products. Many of these candies are produced in China. As the current chair of Asean, Malaysia should seize this opportunity to push for regional alignment in banning these products across Southeast Asia. Governments must tighten import controls, hold manufacturers accountable through international trade agreements and implement stricter regulations to prevent these

CAP senior education officer N. V. Subbarow with the vape like sweets. – PIC COURTESY OF CAP

These products are not just a harmless gimmick; they are a gateway to addiction, subtly normalising dangerous habits that could shape a lifetime of dependency and health risks. Growing threat in our stores Shocking reports reveal a surge of candy vapes and toy syringes flooding local markets. The Consumers’ Association of Penang has uncovered these products being aggressively marketed to children, with bright, playful packaging cleverly concealing their harmful intent. Experts warn that these deceptive candies “soften” the image of smoking and drug use, making young minds more susceptible to future addictions. A tragedy that should never have happened, the devastating consequences of these dangerous sweets became painfully clear when a 10-year-old boy in Penang choked to death after eating a gummy candy designed like an eyeball. The candy’s sticky texture lodged in his airway, leading to his untimely death. Only after this horrific tragedy did authorities move to ban the product – yet another example of Malaysia’s reactionary enforcement rather than proactive prevention. History keeps repeating itself, and this is not the first time Malaysia has faced such a crisis. In 2019, the country battled the “ghost smoke” candy epidemic, where children were seen blowing candy-produced smoke, mimicking cigarette use. The product had been available for years before a video that went viral finally forced authorities to act.

children. This is not just a gimmick; it is a calculated assault on our children. Parents, teachers and the citizens are the first line of defence. The next time you see one of these sinister treats, snap a photo, report it and demand action. Our children’s safety is non negotiable. Candy should bring joy, not addiction. This dangerous trend must end now. Child safety is everyone’s responsibility. Together, we can stop this menace before it steals another innocent life. Saral James Maniam Secretary-General Malaysian Association of Standards Users

0 Increase surprise raids at stores and school zones to stop illicit sales before children get hooked. 0 Educate parents and children about the risks of these deceptive products – awareness is the strongest defence. 0 Encourage public reporting – if you see a vape-shaped candy, report it immediately. Every citizen has a role to play in keeping our children safe. The time to act is now or history will repeat itself. One more child will get hooked. One more innocent life will be lost, all because dangerous and deceptive sweets slipped through before anyone could stop them. Vape-shaped candies and syringe sweets are sugar-coated traps designed to addict and destroy

dangerous products from reaching store shelves. Public awareness and proactive enforcement are crucial in

safeguarding our children. What must be done now?

These cases highlight the urgent need for stronger laws, stricter market surveillance and proactive enforcement. We must: 0 Ban all candies and toys that mimic vapes, syringes or adult products – block them before they enter the market. 0 Strengthen import checks to ensure dangerous candies do not slip into Malaysia unnoticed.