Monday January 28, 2013

Let’s not find fault

IT is heartbreaking to read about the news of William Yau. Many of our hearts go out to the parents, but it is sad that some went overboard in criticising the parents for leaving their children unattended in the car.

Dorairaj Nadason in his column Why Not? (The Star, Jan 25) is correct to point out that there are low people among us who will turn on the victim’s parents instead of focusing on our role as a community in protecting the children.

Parents are primarily responsible, no doubt, but our community should also play a role if we all care for our fellow Malaysians, and not just care now after an incident!

Let’s not impose more questions on whose fault it is but channel our positive energy towards preventive measures.

I therefore read with sadness what Prettysane Mom had to say in her letter to the editor, “It is time to get tough with parents” (The Star, Jan 25). I am not saying that the parents are not at fault but being a parent myself, I understand how a mother will be feeling when her child is lost due to her own fault.

Wouldn’t it be better if all of us come together and brainstorm about preventive measures and focus on the problem rather than point fingers at everyone, especially the parents?

Which is why I totally agree with what Ng Shu Tsung had to share on the same day through her letter, “Have proper channel to deal with stress among school kids.” This is what we need in Malaysia, proactive people with good ideas to prevent tragedies from happening again.

I hope the authorities will set up a well structured mediating system comprising a team of trained teachers with excellent listening skills in our schools, where children who are stressed could express their true feelings about certain issues.

I sincerely hope fellow Malaysians, be it ordinary people or politicians, would positively come out with good workable measures to ensure the safety of our children, be it at home or in the school. This is the time to save our children and the future children of Malaysia.

PATRICIA MAK PHOOI NGAN

Kuala Lumpur

News

Monday January 28, 2013

Let’s not find fault