The problem of ‘Basikal Lajak’ seems to remain uncontrolled despite past tragic deaths. The issue of bullying in schools and colleges has escalated to unimaginable degrees, resulting in the deaths of victims. Further up the hierarchy of society, we have adults who seem to have become immune to telling lies and fabricating stories just to get themselves out of the miry clay that they find themselves in – so much that they no longer feel any shame in what they say or do.
I reflected on decades gone by when we were kids. As a teen working alongside youths as well as in my adulthood interacting with young families, I put importance in the commandment to train up a child in the way he should go (Proverbs 22:6) and when he is old he will not depart from it.
As children then, parents were often strict with their children. So, if their children were being disciplined by the teachers in school and they were informed, the child could expect another round of discipline (of the cane or other forms of punishment) when they get home. So, as kids, we were very embarrassed if we were caught by prefects or teachers for breaking school rules.
Today, educators are not given the liberty to discipline a child as they deem fit. Hence, many are not keen to discipline the culprits or train the child in the right path. In today’s fast pace society, most parents, both fathers and mothers are out working to provide for their families. Children are often left to maids at home or care-givers in day care centres. So, what discipline or right training can we expect? Negative influence from the media and peers often take root in these young lives.
When I read about the repetitive problem of ‘basikal lajak’, I wonder who is at fault. The cyclists? The parents? The society? Or the government authorities? In the first place, no one should be having the thrill of riding these modified bicycles on roads or highways as they endanger not only themselves but also other road users. Many are of the opinion that parents should be charged for negligence of their children when any unforeseen incidents happen. I feel that parents have a tremendous responsibility here. They cannot allow their children to have any of such modified bikes. Parents need to be extremely aware of what their children are doing as well as what sort of company they keep.
Other than that, I feel that the society at large can also be proactive in eradicating this problem. Those who see these cyclists doing their stunts on roads and highways should quickly take a video and submit it to the authority before any accident happen. If they are within the same community, they should be the ones advising the parents and children. This is not just ‘their’ problem but our problem as a society.
The government should be very strict in meting out appropriate punishments on these offenders and their parents so that they know this is a serious problem. Other than that, the government can take action to prevent the sale of these bicycles. The same strictness should follow all other serious offences like bullying of all sorts.
If we can nip any problem at the bud, then we can be spared of greater problems as our children grow. Right values taught and caught at a young age will be the compass in adulthood. Maybe we need to pause and rethink on how we have been living. Are we training our children the right way (of respect, truth, justice and obedience) they should go? Do we feel proud that we can bully and put another person at our mercy? Have we come to the point of doing wrong and breaking laws without the feeling of shame and remorse?
May God help each of us to go the right path so that we be a blessing to our nation.
Mei Wong
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