23/12/2025

TUESDAY | DEC 23, 2025

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Kindness is Malaysia’s default setting E VERY December, something magical happens. No, not the fake snow in tropical malls or the Mariah Carey December tense always feel forced – like someone turning down the lights at a kenduri and insisting everyone whisper. Not how we roll- lah .

Malaysians have been mastering coexistence since before hashtags, blogs or before people discovered outrage could be monetised. A gentle reminder from history (yes, that one). Let Makcik take

resurrection from retail hibernation. It’s this: people become softer, wallets open more easily and smiles come quicker. Even that one uncle who never lets anyone merge in traffic suddenly waves you in like a benevolent kampung headman. Christmas, stripped of its decorations and marketing jingles, is really about giving without a ledger. Not giving to show, not giving to post – just giving because, for once, we remember we are sharing this tiny, chaotic country. The auntie buying extra food for the neighbour, the colleague covering a shift so someone else can go home or the boss, who – miracle of miracles – lets everyone off early. And here’s the thing: you don’t need to celebrate Christmas to understand this spirit; you just need to be human. Malaysians, on our best days, are very good at this – we queue badly but we care deeply, we grumble but we’ll still help you jump-start your car while complaining about the weather, the government and your parking skills – all at once. Unity, Malaysian-style Unity in Malaysia has never been quiet or neat; it’s loud, potluck-style. It’s open houses where shoes pile up like a modern art installation, it’s arguing about food while shovelling more into your mouth, it’s knowing exactly which topics to avoid at the table and which ones to laugh through. Christmas amplifies this. Suddenly, everyone is invited – you don’t ask what someone believes before offering kuih or cookies; you just pass the plate. That’s the unspoken social contract: makan first, argue later – maybe never. This is why attempts to make M A R I N A B Y

you briefly into history – calmly, respectfully and without turning this into a sermon. The Prophet Muhammad was known for his conduct towards non-Muslims that was rooted in dignity, fairness and protection. He stood when a non K C I K

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Muslim funeral passed – out of respect for human life. When questioned, he responded simply that it was a soul, not a label, not a category. He entered agreements with non Muslim communities ensuring their safety, property and freedom, and held Muslims accountable for any injustice against them. He accepted invitations, exchanged gifts and dealt with people of other faiths as neighbours; not threats. His example was not built on suspicion but on confidence: that justice and kindness do not weaken faith; they strengthen society. Another moment often overlooked is how he responded to harm. Even when mistreated by non-Muslims, he chose restraint over retaliation, reconciliation over revenge. His conduct set a clear standard: stirring fear, hostility or humiliation in the name of “defence” is not strength; it’s a failure of character. The naughty list: Makcik has notes Now, to those who insist on stirring uneasiness every December – come here, don’t run. You know who you are – the ones who suddenly discover “concern” seasonally; the professional alarmists who treat

The most beautiful thing about Christmas giving is that it doesn’t ask for credentials. You don’t need to sign up, subscribe or agree on everything. You just need to show up with decency. – MASRY CHE ANI/THESUN

Giving is not a competition The most beautiful thing about Christmas giving is that it doesn’t ask for credentials. You don’t need to sign up, subscribe or agree on everything. You just need to show up with decency. And Malaysians, despite everything, still do. We give rides, we give food, we give time and we give patience, sometimes through clenched teeth, but still we give. In a world obsessed with drawing lines, this season gently erases them – not permanently but maybe long enough to remind us that coexistence is not a threat; it is our default setting. End of the day, it’s the same sky, same

teh tarik and Christmas will come and go. The decorations will come down, the malls will quietly replace reindeer with school supplies but the moment – the giving, the tolerance and the choice to be less suspicious of one another – is worth keeping. So, let people celebrate, let people give and let people breathe. Still jittery? Makcik ’s ancient wisdom: less noise, more kindness and maybe one less WhatsApp forward. Go on, be nice. Even the snowmen are watching. AzuraAbas is the associate editor of theSun. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

harmony like it’s fragile glass instead of reinforced concrete; and the ones who whisper, provoke, screenshot, forward and then act shocked when people feel uncomfortable. Light lempang only, okay? Not on the face, on the conscience. Because if your version of protecting society involves making neighbours anxious, colleagues wary and friends defensive, then maybe the problem is not the celebration but your insecurity. Unity does not collapse because someone puts up lights; it collapses when trust is chipped away, one insinuation at a time.

LETTERS letters@thesundaily.com

Lifestyle, business choices hold the key to cutting carbon CLIMATE change and its societal impacts have been widely discussed in national and global forums. These discussions, along with action plans and deadlines to reduce carbon concentrations, have prompted many countries to take concrete steps to lower their carbon footprints through more sustainable resource use. transition to a sustainable future. While these government plans and initiatives are commendable, meaningful transformation can only occur when individuals, families and businesses take responsibility for reducing their carbon footprints. to methane emissions when it decomposes anaerobically in landfills. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that traps heat and accelerates global warming. Food waste is particularly These soil enhancers can be sold or donated to farming communities. By adopting composting machines, food businesses can prevent waste from ending up in landfills, where it would generate methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

meaningfully to reducing carbon footprints. 0 Reduce vehicle use It is time to rethink lifestyle choices related to vehicle use. Carpooling – sharing journeys to reduce costs and pollution – should become a common practice among Malaysians, especially as public transport systems have yet to fully meet expectations. In the long run, reducing the number of vehicles on the road through conscious lifestyle choices can significantly lower the nation’s carbon footprint. This requires a coordinated action by individuals and businesses alike. Malaysians must act now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, rather than merely complying with legislative requirements and policies. Ronald Benjamin Secretary

common at wedding functions, restaurants and hotels. Event organisers should make a concerted effort to prevent waste by ensuring surplus food is redistributed to those in need. This can be achieved through partnerships with NGOs that specialise in food recovery and distribution. Such coordinated efforts will not only reduce food waste and greenhouse gas emissions but also support the achievement of sustainable development goals. 0 Food compost machine The government can incentivise the food service industry to invest in food composting machines, allowing unavoidable food waste to be converted into soil enhancers.

A coordinated approach to green initiatives is essential to achieve a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Lifestyle and business choices that integrate multiple dimensions of carbon reduction are far more effective than lofty pronouncements or legislation alone. First, an understanding that nature is a gift from the Creator and that human life is interconnected with the ecosystem should be instilled through education and reinforced through action. Below are practical ways Malaysians can reduce their carbon footprint: 0 Reduce food waste by sharing with those in need Food waste contributes significantly

For example, Weil Hotel in Ipoh uses a food composting machine and contributes its soil enhancer to farming communities. This demonstrates how responsible business choices can effectively reduce carbon footprints. 0 Replace plastic-based materials I make it a point to reject plastic based food containers when dining at restaurants. Despite growing awareness, many establishments continue to rely on synthetic plastic containers, a practice that must be phased out to reduce plastic pollution. Choosing alternative, sustainable packaging is a simple lifestyle choice that can contribute

Malaysia has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and reducing economy-wide carbon intensity by 45% by 2030, as outlined in its revised Nationally Determined Contribution. Key strategies include the National Energy Transition Roadmap, which promotes renewable energy, as well as initiatives such as Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage and the adoption of circular economy principles. Malaysia is also focusing on energy efficiency, waste management, electric vehicles (EVs) and regional cooperation to drive green growth and accelerate its

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