Looking Beyond The 'Kangkung' Episode

By Norshazlina Nor'azman KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 24 (Bernama) -- The 'kangkung' (spinach) issue that erupted two weeks ago seems to have subdued more pressing issues confronting the nation and its people. As for political analyst apart from the rising cost of living that gave rise to the 'kangkung episode', there are more compelling issues including inter communal and religious disagreements. These include the use of the Allah term in bibles that has driven a wedge between different faiths and the reaction on the 'kangkung' by an opposition politician that had angered a community. Added with irresponsible actions of individuals and other parties, the unity and harmony within Malaysia's plural society is being tested to the limits. The 'kangkung' episode started with Prime Minister Najib Razak's speech in Terengganu where he had pointed out despite of the price hikes, prices of some items like kangkung had come down. Net citizens and the opposition capitalised on the statement to deride the prime minister. Penang's Machang Bubuk assemblyman Lee Khai Loon went overboard by feeding an effigy of the prime minister with the spinach. UNITY AND WELL_BEING GOES HAND IN HAND Universiti Sains Malaysia's (USM) Deputy Dean of the Social Science Studies Centre Associate Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian felt instead of thriving on petty issues, its time for Malaysians to work together in facing the challenges ahead. Sivamurugan told Bernama;" When speaking of unity and well-being, how are the people to see the light at the end of the tunnel when day in day out they are at logger heads? Therefore, they have to take the first step forward by preventing themselves from being manipulated by those with vested interest. Sivamurugan also pointed out that leaders have to be careful with their words as their words could easily be twisted to suit the goals of their detractors. "The 'kangkung' episode is a good example, tough the prime minister had given a long speech detailing the many things done by the government for the people, a small part that relates to 'kangkung' have been picked up and blown out of proportion, blotting out the rest of his speech. "Despite Najib's repeated attempts to clarify on what he really meant, some sections of the society found it fit to interpret his words according to their convenience and sticked to their own interpretation," he pointed out. He said those who subscribed to political ideologies would stand firm with what they hear or learn from the social websites, without verifying the truth but those who sit on the fence would evaluate what they hear or learn. THERE ARE LIMITS TO CRITICISM The political analyst said, however, it is not wrong for the people and the opposition to criticise on the mistakes made by the government including by the prime minister, as long as it does not disgrace or bring contempt to the person and the families. "Therefore actions that tantamount to deriding or mocking the prime minister should not be happening as we have to give respect to his position," he said. THE OPPOSITION IS NOT MATURED Another political analyst Prof Dr Ahmad Atory Hussain noted that the current parody on the kangkung episode did not reflect the opposition's maturity. It appears that they have run out of ideas and therefore had to manipulate on insignificant issues to rundown the government instead of concentrating on more serious matters like national security and communal unity. "They in fact have to contribute ideas on how to deal with issues, and not just pick on the government's mistakes. "Among others the national security, the operations to weed out illegal immigrants and the rise in prices of goods and services... these are the things worth focusing on," he said. Ahmad Atory, a lecturer in politics and public administration at USM's Political Science Department said the opposition could take a swipe on the government's mistakes, but not by mocking the government and its leaders. -- BERNAMA