KOTA KINABALU: Trustee of 1 Malaysia Foundation, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, has called for a relook at the nationwide campaign to promote courtesy and noble values among Malaysians to determine how far it has achieved its objectives.
“Judging from the behavior and attitude of a large number of Malaysians, I have serious reservations about the effectiveness of the on-going campaign to promote courtesy among the people and make it a way of life.
“The negative behavior syndrome as reflected in problems like road bullies, littering in public, not showing respect to the elderly, abusive and uncaring has clearly proven that we are still far from being courteous and polite,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Lee pointed out the time has also come for all strata of Malaysian society to ask whether they have done enough to ensure the success of the national campaign to promote courtesy and noble values among Malaysians.
“Based on my observations, the virtues of courtesy, politeness, patience, humility, tolerance and respect have yet to become our way of life.
“A lot more remains to be done to inculcate these virtues among Malaysians, particularly the young generation today,” he said.
He stressed that emphasizing on campaigns to inculcate public courtesy and noble values is very essential in view of the deterioration of such values and virtues particularly among young Malaysians.
“Many school students these days are not even prepared to put into practice courtesy and other noble values despite learning them in schools.
“For example I have on several occasions given out certificates or awards to students to recognize their academic achievements and with the exception of a few most of them just walk away without even saying a ‘thank you’,” said Lee.
He added that it is common to observe inconsiderate driving and parking on our roads, littering in public places, vandalizing public property, jumping the queue and not saying ¡°sorry¡± even when mistakes are made.
Other issues are talking rudely to customers, smoking in non-smoking areas, spitting in public and not giving up seats to the elderly, disabled and pregnant women. The list can go on and on.
According to Lee, it is time for all Malaysians, particularly the young generation, to address these issues and ask themselves to what extent they have been courteous and are practising good noble values.
Having a campaign to promote courtesy and noble values is important but what is even more essential is to put into practice in our daily life courtesy and noble values we are helping to promote.
Leadership by example is essential for the success of the campaign. In this connection all ministries, government departments and agencies should instill noble values among their staff.
The civil service, for example, should promote courtesy among counter staff dealing with the public. Basic civilities and courtesies such as responding to calls and replying to letters from the public must be adhered to by all those in authority.
This should be followed by the private sector and the Malaysian public at large.
The success of any courtesy campaign must start from schools where courtesies and noble values must be taught.
The attainment of Vision 2020 will only be meaningful if we are able to inculcate a culture of courtesy and noble values among Malaysians.