18/07/2025

FRIDAY | JULY 18, 2025

10 Collapse of civilisation: A shame we can no longer hide

And all these have been perpetrated by the so-called great leaders of our civilisation, by a great nation – the United States. I feel ashamed. We should feel ashamed in the eyes of the animals we consider to be wild. We are worse than they. Will we stop? No. We cannot. Because the very people who preached the rights of humanity are the ones destroying our hard fought civilisation. I hide my face. I am ashamed. Civilisation is no more a norm. – BebasNews Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

Now we are seeing an orgy of killing. We are seeing genocide being perpetrated before our own eyes. Worse still, the genocide is actually being promoted and defended. Every day, men, women, children and babies are being killed. Even the sick and the wounded are not safe. Bombs and rockets target them, killing them, wounding them and burying them in the rubble of the hospital they had hoped for protection. We see boys and girls having their limbs torn off. The lucky ones get artificial limbs and those who are unlucky are helpless. Their lives have become a permanent torture.

We have designed laws to ensure justice for all, abolished absolute monarchies and dictatorships, and all kinds of abuses of power. We promoted the Rule of Law not only in nations but also between nations. We pride ourselves on the high moral values we uphold. We consider ourselves civilised, being creatures of high moral values. We are more human and humane. But can we say we are still civilised now? Especially, over the last three decades, we have destroyed most of the ethical values that we have built up.

COMMENT By Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad

SOMETHING has gone wrong with the world, with human civilisation. For centuries we have been ridding ourselves of barbarism in human society, of injustices, of oppression of men by men. We have been promoting more human values, the sanctity of life, honour and respect for institutions and protecting the weak against the strong.

Building confidence with right help

LETTERS

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WHERE I grew up, helping around the house was simply part of daily life. We didn’t call them “chores” – if the floor was dirty, you swept it; if the trash was full, you took it out. Everyone, including the youngest, contributed. No one expected praise or payment; it was just understood that being part of a household meant helping to keep it clean and organised. Today, I see a different picture. In many families, children grow up with few responsibilities at home. Some parents do everything for them, wanting to let their children “enjoy their childhood”. While I understand the sentiment, I believe that giving children responsibilities early on is valuable. Chores are not about making children work too hard; they are about teaching life skills. When children help prepare meals, care for pets or tidy up, they are learning self-care, teamwork and the value of effort. These lessons extend far beyond the home – they influence how children perform in school, manage relationships and approach future jobs. Some parents feel guilty asking their children to help but when children take on small tasks, like folding laundry or washing vegetables, they begin to see themselves as capable and trusted. Their confidence grows and they take pride in what they accomplish. In many cultures, it is still normal for children to help out – sometimes out of necessity, sometimes because tradition values it. Either way, it is a practice worth preserving. It is not about being old fashioned; it is about raising individuals who understand responsibility, cooperation and care. I have seen children light up with pride after sweeping a floor or making their own lunch. They do not see these tasks as burdens but as real achievements. Feeling useful fosters independence and thoughtfulness. Of course, every child and family is different but in my experience, children given small responsibilities often grow into adults who manage life better. They know how to organise, plan and take initiative. Some people say, “Let kids be kids” and I agree with that but being a child also means learning how to grow. Life is not only about fun and games; it is also about preparing for the future. If we wait too long to teach children responsibility, we are not helping them; we are holding them back. In the end, chores are not just about keeping a clean home; they are about shaping a person’s character. They teach patience, discipline and teamwork. These values matter and they last a lifetime. A child who learns how to help at home will grow up with a better understanding of effort, care and respect. That is one of the best gifts any adult can give. Yes, childhood should be joyful but it should also prepare children for the future. Teaching responsibility early does not take away their childhood; it strengthens it. In the end, chores are not just about a clean house; they are also about building character. Teaching responsibility through everyday tasks

what is on their mind, then listen carefully and patiently. The best way to get another person to open up is to connect at the point where life is most real for them. It is worth noting that adults often forget, sometimes deliberately, how stressful primary and secondary school can be. Teenagers are overloaded with changes happening inside as well as all around them. The school setting can be socially exhausting for some. Teenagers want grace, understanding, a sense of worth, belonging and unconditional love. Occasionally, your children may feel like leaving their day behind, just like you. So be sensitive and allow them the space they need. At other times, take the opportunity to connect by showing interest in what mattered to them that day. As you establish an environment of caring concern, you will find that they are more apt to initiate meaningful conversations. If you need ideas for conversation starters, we have a parent-teen connection card deck “Keep it 100” that may help you. This article is contributed by Focus on the Family Malaysia, a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting and strengthening the family unit. It provides a myriad of programmes and resources, including professional counselling services, to the community. For more information, visit family.org.my. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

other fears are too deeply entrenched and can only be overcome with professional help. With the guiding hand of a qualified counsellor, you can not only rebuild your self image but also learn how to replace fear with confidence. Take heart, there is hope for freedom and establishing new patterns for healthier relationships. Visit our website for more information on counselling. Q: My two teenagers are fairly vocal but I have a hard time getting them to say anything when they get home each day. When I ask them, “How was school today?”, the best answer I get is usually an anemic, “Fine”. How can I get them to open up? Focus on the Family Malaysia: If you would like to open the door of conversation a little wider for your teenagers or anyone to walk through, remember these two simple ideas: Ask about something specific and don’t ask “yes” or “no” questions. Say something like, “Tell me about that group project you’re doing” or “What drills did your coach make you run at practice today?” Questions like that can narrow your children’s focus and present the opportunity to offer you actual information. Also, be prepared to engage them no matter how they respond. If they say, “I hate maths,” or “school is stupid”, do not dismiss that. Lean in and pursue the topic. Ask them to share

UNDER ONE ROOF

Q : I struggle with insecurity. I feel stuck in destructive patterns and unhealthy relationships. I want to change but I can’t seem to gather the courage to break free. What can I do? Focus on the Family Malaysia: Our insecurities are a weakness but, make no mistake, they have great power. In fact, they are a key reason many people stay trapped in a cycle of dysfunction and misery. Most of our insecurities are simply a nuisance. We may question our attractiveness, drive a car we are self-conscious about or struggle with public speaking. It is the kind of stuff that makes us feel awkward at social gatherings but otherwise, it does not hold much influence over our lives. However, some people struggle with insecurities that tap into a deep well of fear. It drives their thinking and keeps them stuck in painful situations. It can feel especially overwhelming when the only solution a person knows is willpower. But “holding on” to it and simply trying harder is rarely effective. You need outside help. Some anxieties can be eased with the support and encouragement of friends, who can reassure you in times of weakness. But The King’s complaint has caused the Housing and Local Government Ministry to issue a stern warning to concession companies to deliver solid waste management services or face penalties. The situation highlights a concerning breakdown in local governance and civic responsibility in Kuala Lumpur. The fact that it took the intervention of the King to spur action on clogged drains and inadequate garbage collection points to a serious systemic failure within the relevant authorities. Several factors likely contribute to this. For instance, the authorities may lack effective mechanisms for identifying, monitoring and addressing such problems, perhaps due to a deficiency in routine inspections, data collection and responsive maintenance schedules. Even when problems are reported by citizens, the response may be slow or inadequate due to bureaucratic inefficiencies, insufficient resources or a lack of accountability. The absence of consequences for inaction may

Time to develop strong maintenance culture IT took the concern expressed by the King, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim to get the authorities to spring into action to attend to issues concerning clogged drains and garbage collection in one part of Kuala Lumpur. also embolden a lackadaisical attitude among responsible officials. Additionally, the situation reveals a gap in public engagement. While some members of the public may have observed the issues before the King, they probably failed to report them to the relevant authorities.

Why? Perhaps the rakyat feel their reports will be ignored. Past experiences of ineffective responses could lead to a sense of powerlessness. Or they may not know the proper channels for reporting such issues. Or they may fear repercussions. While the response to the King’s comments was appropriate, it is not a sustainable solution. A more robust system of local governance and citizen engagement is essential to prevent similar situations from arising in the future. This requires improved communication channels, stronger enforcement of existing regulations and a greater sense of civic responsibility among the public. One of the many issues of public concern is how to develop a strong maintenance culture in Malaysia in the interest of public safety and convenience. It is time for everyone – the local authorities,

government agencies, the private sector and every Malaysian – to examine their shortcomings in the area of safety, service and maintenance and do something about it. Maintenance and service have never been the country’s forte, although Malaysia is publicly known as a developing country with world-class infrastructure. Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye Chairman Alliance for a Safe Community The issue of clogged drains and inadequate garbage collection points to a serious systemic failure within the relevant authorities. – BERNAMAPIC

Syed Azman Syed Ismail Postgraduate Student Faculty of Education Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia