The rights to be decently indecent ?

As reported in April 14th 2006 in the local newspaper that “The Federal Territories Ministry has given assurance not to prosecute people for indecent public behaviour“ in response to the public outcries of City Hall's selective enforcement of morality bylaws. So, Malaysians are now in a crossroad again ! Which direction should we go ? Decently indecent or indecently decent ?

The City Halls put itself in the limelights with the controversial summoning of a young couples for hugging and kissing. The overzealous City Hall's officer deemed this act as indecent. The brave young couple brought the case to the high court to challenge the validity and power of City Hall to patrol morality. The High Court has ruled in favour of City Hall. Personally speaking, the basic issue here is not whether City Hall has or has not the constitutional right to patrol morality in Malaysia. In all means, if City Hall wants to enforce the constitutional rights over the policing of morality, then let do it ! But do it with a fair sense of objectivity and in compliance with a clear specifications of guidelines. The dis pleasured sentiments expressed by most people is, the present haphazard manner of selective and discretion ally enforcements tainted with accusations of avenue for corruptions made a mockery of the supremacy of the constitutionality of Malaysians.

Malaysians are not what we are 50 years ago. The hedonistic master and slaves approach is no longer compatible with the modern civil society. The “enforcement” mentality must be replaced with “facilitation” mentality. In short, City Hall should not indulge in the issues of morality. City Hall should focused in the provisions and maintenance of township's infrastructures and services. In Malaysia, the Mayor and councilors are not elected officials but appointee. Therefore, they are not accountable to the local residents. Morally speaking, do they have the political mandates by the local residents to implement the collective political views and wills of the local residents ?

Majority of Malaysians nowadays are well educated, well travelled, and moderately secular. But on the other hand, are the City Hall's enforcement officers well trained to conduct the policing of morality in a multi ethnic environment ? Are these officer being trained and indoctrinated to have understanding and respect for cultural sensitivities. I would not be surprised that some of these officers may be so culturally insecured that they insensitively and selectively imposed their personal preferences in a biased manner in name of discharging their official duties.

Personally speaking, whether an act or activities is decent or indecent and matter dealing with morality, it should be of personal choices. The government should only act in advisory and educational roles. This is especially applicable in a multi racial country like Malaysia. We should refrained from behaving like a cultural moron chauvinistically enforcing our own preferences and intolerances on others.

This is the 21st century NOT the 7th century. Let us all behave and live like modern men in a modern societies in a civil manners. Let us not regress into the dark ages of barbarisms........