Recently, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said: Anyone going to a police station should keep the fifth principle of the Rukun Negara in mind and dress courteously and mind their morals.
When the IGP sounded that reminder in the context of proper attire when going to the police station, I begin to wonder if we need to be re-educated regarding our Rukun Negara. The fifth principle of our Rukun Negara is Courtesy and Morality (Kesopanan dan Kesusilaan). As Malaysians, we are to observe the five basic principles of our Rukun Negara.
Is wearing a pair of shorts that is just an inch or so above the knee immoral? Is that attire considered uncourteous to our fellowmen? If we care to be realistic, that is what most commoners wear when they go out for grocery shopping or run errands in our hot humid weather. Most of us will also just wear a pair of sandals, slippers or flip-flops. This is just common casual attire that does not cause eyes to pop. However, I must admit that a minority of young people do go about in super-mini shorts and so-called ‘torn’ jeans which are fashionable to them. Well, I am sure they will grow out of it. May we always have clean eyes and clean minds. Then we will be able to respect without judging, courteous in all that we do.
If I am not wrong, our policemen’s uniform a few decades ago was knee-length khaki shorts. Then the uniforms evolved to long trousers or pants. So, what has gone wrong? What is the real problem? Have our police personnel become the rakyat’s moral police? Or have our people become so narrow-minded that even the rakyat’s everyday attire becomes an issue?
The principles of our Rukun Negara apply to all – leaders and commoners alike. We must be morally upright, show respect, and be courteous to all in this multi-racial nation. Please do not go about pushing your morals down on others. The upright will not be offended by knee-length shorts or shirts. Non-smokers and non-drinkers will not approach the non-halal section of shops selling these items. So, they will not be offended by the displays. Let us respect one another.
Our nation has bigger problems on its plate yet to be solved. Let us keep focus and work hard to minimize corruption, promote unity in diversity, and build our nation upon the pillars of justice, truth and righteousness. Let us guide and lead by example.
By Mei Wong
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