MALAYSIAN SOCIETY IN THE FUTURE WILL NOT BE A CARING ONE

INTRODUCTION

Nowadays, the future is not something that is unpredictable. Many experts have

confessed to know what will occur in the immediate, near and distant future. In order to

ensure a caring society in the future, the government has done a lot of campaigns to

encourage the society to be caring and sensitive towards the unfortunate ones. However,

even though the caring society campaigns have been carried out, a lot of findings and

researches show that Malaysian will not be a caring society in the future. Although the

welfare departments have done a lot to promote the caring society, the level of awareness

of the society towards the importance of caring for the unfortunate is still very low.

PURPOSE

The caring society campaign was carried out in order to persuade and encourage

the Malaysian society to help each other when one’s is facing problems or difficulties.

This is done with the intention that the problem faced by the society will and can be

reduced and also to enhance good relationship with one another.

REASONS

The caring society is implemented so that the moral values which are very

important in lives can be put into practice. In return, by practicing the moral values, it

will help to improve the discipline among the members of the society.

ISSUES

Malaysians’ now seem to be living in a new kind of life. Totally different from

what the life in Malaysia used to be. In this new era, life in Malaysia seems to be very

hectic. Every single person is always on the move, not wanting to be left behind. This is

due to the fact that we are a developing nation and it is important for us to keep pace with

the development of the world. Therefore, a lot of changes have to be made and the

challenge that Malaysian face is this; whether to keep on facing the changes and

challenges that comes with it and put aside completely the caring society values or try to

balance both of them as they are equally important.

LITERATURE REVIEW

A caring society is a society that cares for the less fortunate people. The term

caring does not only mean being kind to the unfortunate ones. It also includes motivating

them, loving and accepting them in the society and also encouraging them to carry on

with their life. This means that, a caring society will help to guide the ill-fated ones to

face and overcome whatever obstacles and hardship they are currently in.

Beaton Bengoa (1976) stated that social and economical problems were found by

the humans themselves. It is also stated that, social and economical problems is a bigger

threats to the humans compared to historical problems and nature problems. Social

growth and economic growth between developed countries and developing countries are

widening. Although this is the case, less effort has been made to balance the growth

between developing countries and developed countries.

This is where the Welfare Department come into view. This department will help

to monitor the economical, social and status of the society. The Welfare Department is

put under the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development. It is the

Welfare Department job to increase and raise the economical welfare and also the

society’s status especially in times of trouble.

The Welfare Department was set up in each state in order for it to achieve its

objectives. The aims of the Welfare Department are stated below.

Develop and improve the ability of individuals, family and community in the

context of social development.

Taking care of victims from social and natural misfortune.

Preventing social ills which can affect the stability and the harmony of the

society.

Providing moral support to voluntary welfare organizations and other agencies.

The Welfare Department also have a few other divisions which help them to carry out

certain function as stated below.

i) Prevention and Rehabilitation Services

The services carried out are,

(a) Children and Family Services

This service exists in order to prevent social problems towards families

and their children. It is also to guarantee that good care, safety and

education is always available for them.

(b) Attitude Services

Attitude service is helpful for those who need remedial service especially

for those who are facing problems with negative attitudes. This in return

will help them to be accepted back into the society.

(c) Handicapped Remedy Services

This service helps exceptional people to stand on their own and live like

normal people by achieving the maximum level in all aspects of life

according to their own abilities.

ii) Social Development Section

There are two parts of Social Development Section

(a) Social Progressive Services

The service existed in order to increase the level of life. The increase will

be made through social words intervention and it will emphasize on the

economical, social and developmental aspect. It also emphasize activities

using local source of energy and raw materials.

(b) Career and Training Section

Knowledge and skills will be offered to social workers both in the public

service and voluntary bodies.

iii) Development and Training Section

This program exists in order to make sure that the planning and the plans that

have been carried out in all welfare aspects will continue smoothly and

effectively.

iv) Administration Section

Administration section is very important so that administration structure and

support services can be prepared smartly and all the available sources can be used

fully in order to achieve its objectives.

Services offered for prevention and remedial (cure) are,

1. Prevention services

2. Rehabilitation services

3. Institution services

4. Disaster services

There are a lot of things that the Welfare Department has done in order to ensure

that the objectives and goals of the department are achieved. Some of them are,

1. Professional and Guidance Service

This service is needed to create a society that will have a helping, generous and

guiding spirit.

2. Financial Aid

The poor and unfortunate families will receive financial aids from the Welfare

Department. This is to ensure that they can carry on with their life without facing

any financial difficulties. The available financial aids are,

a. Children aids

b. Elderly aids

c. Handicapped workers allowance

d. Launching Grant

e. Artificial aids

f. General aids

g. School aids

h. Natural disaster aids

i. Working while training allowances for the youth

j. Voluntary and welfare grant

3. Institutional Care

A few institutions are also offered by the Welfare Department so that shelter and

care can be provided for the ill-fated ones. The institutions can be seen below.

a. 4 (four) children’s home

b. 2 (two) boys’ home

c. 8 (eight) orphanages (Rumah Seri Kenangan)

d. 1 (one) beggars rehabilitation centre

e. 1 (one) handicapped workshop

f. 5 (five) mental retardation homes

g. 7 (seven) juvenile schools

h. 9 (nine) hostels or temporary juvenile homes

i. 5 (five) women shelter homes

j. 3 (three) juvenile hostels

k. 1 (one) home for the former mental patients

4. Social Laws

Social laws also exist to protect those who are affected and unfortunate. And the

social laws are connected to the Welfare Department.

OBSERVATIONS

As can be seen from the services provided above, the government has gone a long

way in order to persuade Malaysian to be a caring society. However, it seems to bring

out the opposite reaction. Due to the hectic lifestyle that Malaysians face nowadays,

people are paying more attention to the changes that is accompanied by the hectic

lifestyle. This in return causes people to become more selfish and conceited. They will

only think about themselves and being immoral is considered as something usual and the

right thing to do.

OLD FOLKS HOME

Nowadays, time, money and success play a more important role in people’s life

compare to the need to care for their elders. Even though parents go through a lot of

things, suffer hardships and difficulties in order for their children’s happiness, a lot of

people in our time do not know how to appreciate their parents and elders anymore. It

seems that in this time, hypocrisy and selfishness is a common thing. A lot of our values

are put aside because the society is getting materialistic. The importance of valuing the

families is set aside due to the thirst of the society for luxurious life.

Due to this growing selfishness, a lot of children were not close to their parents as

they are cared by someone else such as maids or baby sitters. More and more elderly

folks are left unattended. Even worst, some of the people in the society felt that their

parents or elderly people are nuisance that disturb their lifestyle. That is why the number

of elderly folks sent to the old folk’s home is increasing. They think that this is the only

way for them to get rid of their burden. This shows how humanity and care in the

Malaysian society had started to disappear and dissipate. The society values their own

work and money rather than valuing their own parents who gave birth and took care of

them.

In the old folk’s home, the elderly will surely be taken care of since their own

flesh and blood refused to take responsibility for them. From a positive point of view,

they will be at peace in the old folk’s home with no worries about their children not

wanting them and there are also helpers who will help to tend to their problems.

However, even though they may seem happy and satisfied, they will feel hurt because the

children that they have taken care for all their lives suddenly turn around and treated

them badly just because their own children think they are a burden. Old folk’s home is a

good solution for homeless elders, but for the elders who still have their own children it is

not a suitable option. If this trend continues, it will surely answer the question whether or

not Malaysian will be a caring society in the future.

CLEANLINESS OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Environment can be defined as the surroundings that affect people’s life. It is

quite common nowadays for the society to take granted of the environment. Especially

clean environment. It is currently a common sight if we see sweet wrappers, food

containers, and cigarette buts while we are walking around and what is worse, used

chewing gums can be found almost everywhere. Therefore, there is one question we

should ask ourself, why is it hard for the society to keep our environment clean?

The awareness of keeping a clean environment starts at home. Parents should try

and develop their children awareness of the importance of clean environment by giving

them chores to do at home. The children can surely help to clean up after having their

meals such as wiping the table, sweeping the floor and washing their own dishes. It is

important for them to do this job willingly as to create the awareness and the importance

of their own actions. The parents can help by explaining to them the reasons and the

importance of keeping a clean environment. It is our duty and responsibility to keep our

environment clean as we are the one who is living in it. If we do not keep it clean, there

are nobody else that will keep it clean for us. It is surely not by the effort of one

individual but the whole society must be aware of the need to keep the environment

clean.

Other than the family institution, school institution also plays an important role.

A subject about the importance of environment should be endorsed in school, especially

in primary school. In order for the children to appreciate their surrounding it is important

for them to be made aware of the role their play in keeping the environment clean. Try to

imagine a scene where you and your family are out to spend a day on the beach, only to

find that it is littered with rubbish and the sea is slick and black with oils. This situation

is bound to happen if humans continue to only appreciate things after they are gone.

Other than these problems, there are also the problems of dirty public toilets. It is

the same in every public toilet. It usually does not work due to the fact that irresponsible

people stuffed the toilet bowls with baby napkin and sanitary towels. Therefore, it is

important for the corporate organization to be involved in creating the awareness of the

importance of clean environment by sponsoring campaigns and advertisement. This

campaigns and advertisement should be able to reach the society and make them aware of

their responsibility to make them do what is right. However, the existence of awareness

is not enough. The people need to do, meaning carry out the action of cleaning and

taking care of the environment.

COURTEOUSNESS

Try to put yourself in a situation like this. Someone stops you and ask you for

directions. You being helpful gladly show the person the right direction. After that, the

person left you without as much as a ‘thank you’. How would you feel? You would

certainly feel angry, unappreciated and resentful. Well, this situation actually happen

everyday without you yourself knowing it. Have you ever said ‘thank you’ to your

mother when she prepares dinner or to your father when he gave you your allowances?

More than half of the answer will be ‘no’. Why does this situation occur? Most of us

will say that we are not being ungrateful, we just failed to express our gratitude. Why is

saying ‘thank you’ a difficult task for most of us? This is due to our habit. The habit of

taking things or people for granted, especially the ones closest to us.

We should know that we should never take things and people especially for

granted since we ourselves would want to be appreciated. Therefore, if we did not

express our gratitude for others, we will not get it from others as well. Common courtesy

starts in our early life. Therefore, as many other issues, parents plays an important role in

moulding their children. The parents will have to instil this attitude in their children and

teach them how to appreciate things and people around them. Parents act as the

children’s model. Therefore, the parents should practice saying ‘thank you’, ‘can I help

you’ and other courteous word to each other and especially to their children to show the

importance of being courteous.

Even though many people might think that saying ‘thank you’ are merely an

expressions it actually means a lot. Being courteous can lift one’s spirit, mend broken

hearts, create special bonds and make you feel good and appreciated. It will certainly

enhance the harmony in a society, which also reflects a loving and caring society. If

being courteous is continued to be overlooked by the society, Malaysians in the future

certainly won’t be a caring one.

UNHEALTHY HABITS

Unhealthy habits are usually destructive and dangerous practice that some people

carried out in their life. Unhealthy habits are usually difficult to let go once the person is

addicted to it. Examples of unhealthy habits are smoking, taking drugs, drinking alcohol

and others. The practice of these unhealthy habits is increasing alarmingly. One article

in the Reader’s Digest stated that the number of people (women in particular) practicing

unhealthy habits is increasing. Two million women worldwide are smokers and

alcoholics. This scenario is very prominent in Asian countries where smoking which is

once frown at, is now becoming a norm for Asian women.

There are a lot of reasons as to why people started to pick up these unhealthy

habits. Teenagers for example usually start due to pressure from their friends. Most

teenagers are afraid that their friends will shun them if they did not do what the group is

doing such as smoking and taking drugs. Therefore, due to the frequency of doing this

unhealthy habits they eventually become addicted to it. Those teenagers will feel that

they are independent, sophisticated and mature after doing these unhealthy habits.

However, when they actually realize that the addiction is dangerous and destructive, it is

always too late for them.

For addicted adults, they usually blame it on the working environment. Due to

the stress and high expectations in the working environments, they start practicing these

unhealthy habits. It is usually seen as a way out of their stressed life and work load.

They also felt that it helps them to relax and cope with demands of work.

Most of the people in the society already know the danger of practicing these

unhealthy habits. Yet, it seems that not many are actually paying attention. Most of

them will feel the need to try it once, and failing to see the long terms effects these

unhealthy habits had on them.

The most debateable and famous unhealthy habits is surely smoking. People who

smoke will have to face dangerous diseases such as cancer, heart attacks, liver failure and

also emphysema. Women are in for greater danger as pregnant women who smoke will

endanger their foetus and of course themselves.

Many people are still wondering as to why the government still allow the

production of cigarette, alcohol and drugs. It is because of the job opportunities and the

financial support it created in form of taxes. Even if the government stop the production,

people can still smuggle the thing into the country. Therefore, it is actually up to the

individual to make the choice whether to live a healthy lifestyle or to shorten their lives

and life with unhealthy habits.

CHILD ABUSE

Everyday, in the newspaper, there will be report on child abuse. It is a very

disturbing fact as the number of child abuse reported is currently increasing. It is

absolutely unbelievable for parents to be cruel to their own children. Child abuse is a

serious problem and something should be done to help the abused child. In order to do

this, co-operation from everyone is needed. It is hard to find people, especially

neighbours who reported the abuse that happens just next to their house. This is always

because they think that it is wrong to interfere in other people’s affair. It is important for

the society to change this kind of perception as it most certainly will help the helpless and

innocent children. The law should also provide harsher punishment for those who are

found guilty. Cruel acts of child abuse should be stopped by giving severe punishment.

It is also important to educate the parents on their children’s right. The children

have the rights to be loved, protected and the opportunity to get a good education. For

abused children who have been given the opportunity to live with a new family, the

authorities have to make sure that the new family will be taking care of the child. If

Malaysian is a caring society, they should put a stop to child abuse.

CONCLUSION

Conclusively, the future is still a big mystery for us. However, from what have

been said above, the Malaysian seems to be less and less caring each passing year. With

increasing cases that can be seen above, we know that a lot of efforts are carried out, but

not much has been accomplished.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Yusri Abd.Malik,Siti Paujiah (1995);Warga Tua Dan Anak yatim:Siri Masyarakat

Penyayang.Selangor:setia Mas

Cacat Penglihatan

Cacat Pendengaran

Kanak-kanak Spastik

Chamburi Siwar,Mohd.haflah Piei(1985).Isu,Konsep dan Dimensi Kemiskinan –

Kumpulan Rencana tentang Kemiskinan.kuala Lumpur:Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka.