21/03/2025

FRIDAY | MAR 21, 2025

3 Uncontrolled anger can have dangerous consequences

crimes often stem from impulsive reactions to provocation, stress or deep-seated frustration. A recent shooting incident in February at a shopping mall in Setia Alam illustrates this reality. The suspect allegedly shot a foreign janitor after being told to move his belongings, an act that reportedly triggered his fury. The suspect, a local man in his 30s, was later killed during a police operation on Pulau Ketam. Criminologist Datuk Seri Dr Akhbar Kuala Lumpur City Hall to facilitate temple relocation KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur City Hall is playing a facilitating role to ensure the relocation of the Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple from private land in busy Jalan Masjid India to a new location is carried out smoothly, said Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Maimunah Mohd Sharif. She said as the agency entrusted by the government for this purpose, City Hall has taken proactive steps to help find the best solution for all parties involved. “City Hall assures that every step taken, and those to be taken, is in line with the principle of freedom of religion as enshrined in the Federal Constitution,” she said after visiting the temple yesterday. Maimunah said the temple’s relocation process would be carried out transparently and fairly, involving discussions with stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation. “City Hall has identified a suitable new location for the temple where Hindu devotees can continue to carry out their religious activities comfortably and harmoniously.” Maimunah said City Hall has also taken note of the proposal to build a mosque on land owned by a private company in Jalan Masjid India, the same location where a small part of the temple is situated. She said the project was proposed by the private company as the legal owner of the land and not by the government. – Bernama Heavy vehicles banned on roads during Hari Raya PETALING JAYA: Lorries and heavy goods vehicles will be banned from the roads during peak Hari Raya Aidilfitri travel days as Malaysia scrambles to prevent gridlock and reduce accident risks. The Transport Ministry has announced a nationwide crackdown, with restrictions kicking in on March 29 and 30 when millions hit the highways to head home for celebrations. The ban will return on April 5 and 6 as the holiday exodus reverses. “The move aims to prevent traffic congestion and reduce the risks posed by heavy vehicles mixing with private cars on packed highways. “The Road Transport Department will lead enforcement efforts, deploying officers nationwide as part of Op Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2025,” the ministry said in a statement yesterday. The operation will include joint crackdowns with other agencies to ensure compliance. – by Kirtinee Ramesh

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

o Expert links rising aggression to social factors as well as stress, trauma and lack of coping mechanisms

rather premeditation.” She said stress, financial hardship and personal struggles are key drivers of crime, especially in urban areas. Despite increased awareness of stress as a silent killer, Haezreena believes Malaysia still lags in offering effective ways to manage it. She called for more community driven programmes to teach emotional intelligence and stress management, particularly for those under chronic stress. – by Harith Kamal technology further complicates the issue. “Although social media can provide an outlet for stress, it also has the potential to amplify hostility. “The anonymity of online platforms often fosters aggressive behaviour with little accountability. “Prolonged exposure to online aggression – such as cyberbullying, cybercrime and harassment – can desensitise individuals, making aggressive responses more frequent.” Naqiuddin stressed that anger is a natural emotion but must be managed to prevent escalation into violence, emphasising that effective emotional regulation starts with a strong foundation of support from parents, schools and communities. “For children and teenagers, schools can play a crucial role by organising parenting workshops that equip families with strategies to reinforce emotional regulation at home. “Beyond schools, broader community involvement is essential. Therapists, youth mentors and local leaders can provide the public with additional guidance and resources to navigate emotional challenges. “At a larger scale, partnerships between governments, NGOs and corporations can help fund emotional wellness programmes, ensuring everyone has access to the necessary support for developing healthy coping skills.” He also acknowledged that systemic support plays a crucial role but stressed that individuals can also take proactive steps to manage anger effectively. “Simple techniques such as the four-seven-eight breathing method – inhale for four seconds, hold for seven and exhale for eight – can activate the body’s relaxation response and reduce stress.” He said pausing before responding, stepping away from tense situations to regain composure and engaging in physical activities such as jogging or stretching can help release pent-up stress. Naqiuddin stressed that although anger is inevitable, its impact depends on how it is managed. “Recognising warning signs, adopting coping strategies and fostering a culture of emotional awareness can prevent impulsive actions that lead to lifelong consequences,” he said. than

PETALING JAYA: Uncontrolled anger can lead to severe consequences, including road rage, violent assaults and even murder, as recent incidents have underscored the dangers of unchecked aggression. Last week in Kajang, a 39-year-old man allegedly assaulted a secondary school student following a road rage dispute, leaving the victim with a fractured nasal bone. In a separate incident earlier this week, a man reportedly harassed and slapped a youth at a convenience store for eating during Ramadan. These cases raise critical questions about why some individuals struggle to control their anger, leading to violent outbursts. Universiti Putra Malaysia Faculty of Human Ecology senior lecturer Dr Mohamad Naqiuddin Dahamat Azam said difficulties in emotional regulation and external stressors often fuel aggressive behaviour. “Some individuals struggle to control their emotions due to psychological or neurological factors,

norms that normalise aggression reinforce these unhealthy responses,” he added. Naqiuddin said anger issues could often stem from childhood experiences. “Unresolved trauma from childhood can manifest in adulthood, increasing the risk of violent tendencies. “Individuals who experience neglect or abuse may develop a tendency to misinterpret neutral situations as hostile, responding with unnecessary aggression. “While not everyone with a traumatic past becomes violent, studies show early adversity significantly raises the risk, especially when combined with factors such as substance abuse or social exclusion,” he said. In today’s hyperconnected world,

leading to impulsive reactions without considering the consequences,” he told theSun . Further, he said cognitive biases, such as hostile attribution bias – where neutral interactions are misinterpreted as threats – can unnecessarily escalate conflicts. “A lack of effective coping mechanisms and problem-solving skills further increases the likelihood of aggression becoming the primary outlet for frustration. “Persistent stress also keeps the brain in a heightened state, reducing impulse control and making aggressive reactions more likely.” He said anxiety amplifies emotional sensitivity, making individuals more reactive and prone to frustration, or defensive anger. “Societal influences also play a role. Violent media and cultural

FESTIVE DELIGHTS ... A trader arranging treats comprising a variety of traditional cookies and delicacies at a special Hari Raya bazaar in Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

Emotion-fuelled crimes often triggered by provocation, frustration PETALING JAYA: Anger-fuelled intense rage

ignite strong emotions. “Not every reaction is violent. Some people argue back, others walk away. But for those who can’t control their emotions, aggression takes over.” She noted that road rage is a classic example of stress-fuelled aggression. She also said a similar pattern is seen in assaults, where insults, gestures or personal grudges can push someone over the edge. “In extreme cases, violent crimes such as overkill, where an attacker stabs someone repeatedly, point to

normal, it can warp your sense of control. That’s when violent behaviour becomes more likely.” Criminologist and Universiti Malaya Faculty of Law deputy dean Dr Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid warned that even the most law abiding individuals can lose control under the right circumstances. “Impulsive crimes often happen in the heat of the moment. Someone gets insulted, pushed or provoked, and they snap. “Self-restraint varies from person to person, but certain triggers can

Satar said anger plays a major role in crime, often shaped by a person’s upbringing and environment. “The people around us and the surroundings we grow up in influence our behaviour. If someone is constantly exposed to negativity, frustration builds over time. “In extreme cases, it can turn into violence,” he said. He added that chronic exposure to hostility does not just affect emotions but can deteriorate mental health as well. “If you’re in a place where anger is