Kids Videoed Vandalising Deepavali S Kolam In Mall Parents Slammed For Turning Blind Eye

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AT a time when many questions are being asked about how kids are raised, a short video clip of kids vandalising the kolam (Indian art using rice flour) décor for Deepavali in a mall has added fuel to the fire.
Shared by human rights activist and lawyer Siti Kasim, the brief clip shows two young children who look like they are of primary school age having a jolly old time at an unnamed AEON Mall branch.
Nothing wrong with that except they were amusing themselves by messing up the carefully laid floor patterns for Deepavali.

The person filming the video could be heard muttering under his breath, “where are these kids’ parents?”
When it did finally dawn on the parents that the kids were busy displaying anti-social behaviour, they did not utter a w0rd but merely ushered them away from the scene of devastation.
The outspoken Orang Asli advocate simply proclaimed on her Facebook page: “I blame the parents”.
Many of Siti Kasim’s followers on Facebook concurred with one observer simply stating it was “embarrassing” that some parents exercise no control or supervision over their kids when in a public space such as a shopping complex.

Other commenters labelled the family “disgraceful”, highlighting that the parents were dressed in conservative religious garb yet displayed such a lack of moral values or basic civic-mindedness.
Another argued that this family’s mindset was created and poisoned by racist government policies.

More than a few commenters highlighted the difference in reactions to such an incident with one stating that there would be uproar if anyone dared to even tick off these parents and their mischievous kids.
It was also pointed out that if the tables were reversed whereby non-Muslim kids were defacing décor related to a Muslim celebration, they would be in the news with court appearances and plenty of enraged demonstrations!

Of course, one name that keeps popping up in incidents such as this is self-proclaimed defender of race and religion, UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh.
It was quite rightly pointed out that there would be hell to pay of it if it were Hari Raya decorations that were being defaced.

However, it is quite clear from sentiments expressed by many commenters that the buck stops with the parents. Who else is to blame for such poor upbringing?

A few things this unsavoury incident highlights.
Firstly, the recent high-profile cases of bullying, gang rape and murder have put minors’ behaviours under the spotlight with citizens arguing that positive upbringing starts at home. This clip clearly shows where the breakdown occurs.
The fact that the parents did NOT see fit to admonish their kids for the “handiwork” speaks volumes. How can teachers be moulding positive characters when such behaviour is not only tolerated but normalised?
Secondly, the schisms in Malaysian society are clear for all to see when almost every topic is dissected along racial lines.
As pointed out by many, this wanton act of vandalism is no mere mischief from children but signs of a deeper malaise. It indicates clear disregard and disrespect for another community’s cultural celebrations.
As a few have pointed out, there would be uproar if the tables were turned. –  Focus Malaysia

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