FOR THE CITY: Taib planting a tree at the Taman Pertemuan Le’park in conjunction with the launching of the state-level ‘My Beautiful Malaysia 2013’ programme in Kuching. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
KUCHING: Scenes of huge number of people frolicking in the sun at beaches, strumming musical instruments together, smelling the flowers in the hills and mountains during leisure hours, and actively socialising with one another have faded to an unrecognisable level in Malaysia today.
Also blown out of the window are volunteerism values, where a growing number of voluntary tasks have become “paid services”.
These highly treasured close-knit community and volunteerism values must be revived, and that is what the ‘My Beautiful Malaysia 2013’ aims to do, said Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud here yesterday.
Launching the state-level edition of the programme at Taman Pertemuan Le’park (formerly known as Kuching Integrated Recreational Centre), the chief minister urged the younger generation to become self-starters in initiating voluntary activities in order to help rekindle the flame of volunteerism.
“The spirit of volunteerism, which had been playing a vital role in the process of nation building has faded away in recent years,” he lamented.
“It must be restored.”
He reminisced those days when the spirit of volunteerism and community values was so strong that it oozed in everyone’s life every single day.
“In Sarawak we used to defend our country through the participation of the people, particularly those who have self defence skills. We were able to defend ourselves against pirates in the coastal areas because of this spirit,” recalled Taib.
“At wedding receptions, everyone would do their part to ensure the ceremony proceed perfectly. The spirit of helping each other was so important and significant during that time.
“Unfortunately, such spirit of volunteerism has slowly been replaced by paid services as society became more prosperous.”
Taib also pointed out that while the better economic situation had resulted in better living standards, the current trend of over-emphasising on studies more than recreational activities could dampen the young generation’s social skills.
“One thing I’m a bit worried is that children today are so busy with study and always carry tonnes of books to schools. When is the time for them to play?” he asked.
“There are fewer picnics, less gatherings to play guitars, less activities on beaches or in the mountains. All these things should be revived, otherwise, our children will not know how to interact and play with one another.
“This is my message. I belong to the old generation and am not active now because of work, but my memory is still good to appreciate all the good things that have happened in my generation. I would like to see these things revived in your generation.”
He stressed that prosperity should not be an excuse for the people to shy away from getting involved in voluntary works.
The issue, he added, has some semblance of urgency to it and that is why the government declared 2013 as Volunteerism Year.
“Strengthening the spirit of volunteerism among the people will not only help to enhance the ties between the people and the government, but could also help ensure the success of every undertaking by the government.”
For instance, he reasoned, the government’s effort to make Malaysia a beautiful and clean country would go down the drain if Malaysians did not bother to take care of the environment voluntarily.
“Although we have entrusted many government agencies, especially the local councils, to take care of the environment, the task could only be completed if everyone realised that the future of the country depend on all of us.”
Some 10,000 youths representing various non-governmental organisations
turned up to celebrate the launching of the program that featured mass voluntary work to clean up and beautify the area within and surrounding the recreational centre.
Also present were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr Alfred Jabu Numpang and Social Development Minister Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom.
Similar programmes were also organised in each of the 11 divisions throughout the state.
At the national-level, the programme was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in Petaling Jaya yesterday.