Though Petronas and Domestic trade, cooperatives and consumerism ministry had issued an apology respectively on their mismatched and inappropriate greeting message on Chinese New Year, it would not end any possibility of recurrence of the similar incidents in future. The unintentional error will continue prevailing in the coming festive seasons as there exists some scapegoats of irresponsible and ignorant law makers.
Our country is multi racial society of different cultures and religions. Understanding and respecting cultures and religions among all Malaysians are the most important factors and linkages for racial harmony and economic stability. Sowing the seeds of basic understanding of different cultures and festive customs of multi races do not rest solely on schools or educational institutes, our elected law makers as well as politicians must shoulder the responsibilities too.
The responsibility of the law-makers is to transmit a correct and direct message and clear interpretation on one’s cultures and traditions without creating any misconceptions to other races. However, it is quite disheartening to note that in the recent political trend of today some lawmakers had resorted using festive greetings and pictures to mock and tease their political rivals. Greeting messages were filled with offensive and hateful quotes, seasonal pictures were doctored and festive songs were altered and edited with sarcastic phrases. When the actions of these irresponsible politicians were transmitted openly and publicly, they were misconstrued and misunderstood.
The so-called technical error and misunderstanding on seasonal greetings may not be due to the insensitivities on cultures and traditions but the proliferation of mocking and teasing message and act. To set it right and let other to follow, one must respect one’s culture first for other to follow suit.
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