01/09/2025

MONDAY | SEP 1, 2025

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Using holidays to build character O NE of the biggest blessings of being a Malaysian is the long weekends throughout the year. Students and educators alike look forward to the COMMENT By Nurul Rashidah Mohamed Roseli

additional resources according to their needs. These gestures can help inculcate a habit of giving and foster a sustainability mindset to care for people and the environment. Having prosocial motivation is not always about giving something of benefit to others but also about creating a safe and clean environment. For example, when visiting the beach, look around for litter, collect it in a bag and dispose of it into proper bins. During this activity, share stories about our beautiful earth and the responsibility that we all have to take care of it, with simple ways such as throwing our trash properly. Hands-on experiences like these can stimulate all five senses, allowing for more effective learning to take place. Finally, spark creativity while thinking of others by preparing greeting cards. Since children will miss their friends during the holidays, it is a thoughtful way to let others know that they are being remembered. Set aside time at night in the cozy room to prepare small greeting cards. Upon returning from the holidays, encourage your children to personally deliver their cards to their intended recipients. This simple activity and gesture can nurture thoughtfulness. In a fast-paced world where time often feels scarce, holidays present us with rare windows of opportunity, not only to rest and reconnect, but also to nurture the values that shape our families. Instilling prosocial motivation does not require elaborate plans or formal lessons; it begins with simple, intentional moments during shared experiences. As we embrace the joy of spending quality time together, let us also embrace the deeper purpose of these moments: raising individuals who care, contribute and uplift others. After all, the true value of a holiday lies not just in the memories we make but also in the hearts we shape along the way. NurulRashidah Mohamed Roseli is a lecturer in the Foundation in Arts programme at the School of Pre-University Studies, Taylor’s College, specialising in counselling psychology. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com are poorly lit, filled with potholes or have no clear entry and exit points. A truly empathetic policy would focus on fixing these systemic issues first. It is about building a system that helps them be safe, instead of just punishing them for not using a flawed one. Another issue is the long queues at government counters and hospitals, which can be stressful. It may seem like a small problem but it represents a lack of empathy for the people, especially the elderly and those with disabilities, who have to endure it. Hopefully, there will be simpler and tech savvy solutions like smart queue systems that will allow people to wait comfortably elsewhere. This will show that the authorities care about our comfort and dignity and not just about moving people through a line. My Merdeka wish is that we as a nation fully embrace this spirit of empathy; that we move from just providing aid to truly understanding the needs of our fellow Malaysians; that we stop judging based on first impressions and instead seek to understand the circumstances of others; and that we make policy and daily decisions by putting ourselves in someone else’s shoes. If we can do this, we can truly live up to the promise of a “cared-for” Malaysia, a nation that is compassionate and resilient, built on the solid foundation of human dignity and understanding. Chin Yew Sin Shah Alam

quarterly holidays to rest, recharge and explore. For some, it is an opportunity to return to their hometowns and make up for lost time in the pursuit of career and academic achievements. Others prefer to travel, discover new places and spend quality time with friends and family, building everlasting memories. Yet, some use part of their holidays to give back, whether it is tutoring younger children, volunteering for community projects or lending a hand. It is also the perfect opportunity for parents to educate through experiences, as learning begins at home. Education is not just about sitting together and reading from books; it happens at every single moment, including making a wholesome breakfast together, watering the plants or understanding unspoken social cues in a public space. These are some examples of prosocial motivation in action – the drive to behave in the manner that benefits others, which can exist in the form of thinking, feeling and behaviour. Studies show that one of the best predictors of high prosocial motivation is having parental modelling and socialisation. You may be wondering, “Why is this important?” or “How do I do so as a parent or a caregiver”? Think about how different our nation would be if empathy and generosity were nurtured alongside literacy and numeracy, and ways we could intersect the learning of both. During the holidays, many small yet meaningful moments can leave a lasting impression on a child’s mind. Here are a few practical tips which can be easily practised, whether staying at home, travelling nearby or across the globe. AS we celebrate our nation this year under the theme “Malaysia Madani: Rakyat Disantuni”, I have been reflecting on what it truly means for people to be “cared for”. To me, it is not just about charity – giving a one-off RM100 cash aid – or just random acts of kindness; it is something deeper and more enduring – empathy. There is a big difference between empathy and sympathy. While sympathy means feeling for someone from a distance, saying, “I feel sorry for you”, empathy is the courage to stand with someone and say, “I want to understand what you are going through”. This Merdeka, I feel this is the spirit that can truly move our nation forward. Human-centred approach For too long, we have approached some of our toughest social issues with a focus on punishment rather than understanding. Take, for example, the recent calls by civil society organisations to reframe our approach to drug addiction. They are right when they suggest we should view addicts as patients in need of care, not just as criminals. It seems more humane and effective to see addiction for what it is – a chronic health condition often fuelled by other problems – and to offer a path to recovery rather than a LETTERS letters@thesundaily.com

Having prosocial motivation is not always about giving something of benefit to others but also about creating a safe and clean environment. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

Introduce our children to individuals from various backgrounds through acts like volunteering in a soup kitchen or visiting an orphanage together. Such experiences will help to instil empathy and kindness, and inspire a genuine desire to help people in need. Additionally, we may initiate simple giving traditions, such as passing on clothes or toys that our children do not use to younger friends or relatives. Alternatively, find an orphanage near your area and share toys with them or even donate Caring through service Little things can show a big heart. Empathy should be a key part of our public services and infrastructure. For example, at some of our major tourist spots, information is provided in multiple languages besides Bahasa Malaysia. This is not about degrading our national pride in our language; it is a simple and powerful message showing we care, meaning: “We see you, we value you and we want to make you feel welcome.” I was recently struck by a story I read in the newly launched book, Global Minds, Malaysian Roots , which was shared by a contributor. The story was about a Malaysian who was first posted to Sweden. His colleague would drive him to the office every day. Although they always arrived early, his colleague would still park his car at the far end of the empty car park, having to walk about 300m to the office door. One day, he asked his colleague why he parks so far. His colleague’s simple, nonchalant reply was a powerful lesson in empathy: “We have plenty of time to walk but for those who come late for whatever reason, they have to rush to the office. By us parking further away gives them a better chance to find a closer spot and not have to run.” This simple act, done without fanfare, shows how a little consideration can make a huge difference in someone’s day. This same principle can be applied to our roads. It is easy to blame motorcyclists for not using the dedicated lanes but have we truly put ourselves in their position? Many of these lanes

Firstly, we can bring our children on a journey using public transport. As they learn to navigate routes and learn the stations, they can also gain the opportunity to be mindful of the elderly, disabled or pregnant women when using public transport. If someone is standing, offer them our seat or help them find a seat nearby. When exiting the train or bus, remember to give space to them as they may struggle to navigate through the crowd. Small gestures like these make a difference in ensuring they travel comfortably. cycle of incarceration. This is a clear example of empathy. Then there are moments when a lack of empathy is painfully obvious, like the recent incident over the upside-down national flag, which became a hot national issue. While a mistake like that can be upsetting, public shaming of the person responsible shows a clear display of zero empathy. Would we have reacted the same way if a family member had made the error? When someone acts as a self-appointed enforcer, it shows that they have lost the ability to put themselves in another person’s shoes. This is also true when it comes to bullying in our institutions. Severe cases that result in death must be handled with the full force of the law but the rest must be met with empathy. While sympathy may lead to a token punishment for the bully and pity for the victim, empathy goes a step further. It seeks to understand the root cause of the behaviour, recognising that bullying is often a cry for help. By implementing restorative justice programmes, we can bring the bully and the victim together to discuss the harm caused. This process will not only hold the perpetrator accountable but also teach them to recognise and feel the impact of their actions, planting a seed of empathy that prevents future harm. Instead of spending RM8.4 million on Jalur Gemilang badges, it would be far better to invest in specialists to train our school counsellors, equipping them with the skills to effectively detect and address bullying.

Fostering empathy for a more caring Malaysia