What's love got to do with it?
J-on
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Tuesday, February 14, 2012
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By CHONG KAH YUAN
Flowers, chocolates and gifts followed by a fanciful candlelight dinner.
If these are the only things that pop into your mind at the mention of Valentine’s Day, think again.
The Malaysian community was once again shocked by the audacity of the PAS Youth, chief Nasrudin Hassan Tantawi in necessitating a Valentine’s date chaperone for engaged couples.
It really makes one wonder the circumstances behind this sudden stroke of inspiration.
While this has inevitably led to the anger and disagreement among the society, PAS attempts to soothe the riot by saying that Islam encourages acts of caring as long as moral barriers were not breached.
PAS’s brittle repertoire in this country is further inflamed when the flexibility of the moral sentiments are questioned.
The past dictations of PAS in barricading against Islamic immorality have proven to be neither effective nor impressive.
Instead, PAS considers holding hands a conduct against Islam, and if they are given the freedom to do as they wish, they would have gone out of their way to ensure that Muslim women employees are forbidden from wearing lipstick and high-heeled shoes which made a tapping sound!
Their latest endeavour to ostracise Valentine’s Day displays nothing but barbaric sensibilities which borders on offensive towards basic human rights and freedom.
Considering the fact that Malaysian is a country associated with democracy, this turn of event has proven naught but undo all previous efforts made to improve this country as a prime example of a democratic nation.
The facade that freedom is everyone’s right and privilege has once again been shattered by PAS, reminding all Malaysians of their extent of personal freedom in this country, or lack thereof.
This is where the line starts to blur, where many questions should the citizens of a democratic nation not be given a choice regarding this matter?
As proven by more than once, it is becoming indisputable that PAS needs a breakthrough in their mindset, as it is in Malaysia, Valentine’s Day is celebrated by everyone, inclusive of family and friends besides lovers.
By limiting Valentine's Day to the said Husband-Wife Day, the reason behind this change might have demonstrated too little convention nor flexibility.
This would no doubt result in some positive developments toward the social construct of a country, instead of prodding at some negligible situation that is not even an issue in the first place.
> Chong Kah Yuan is J-on's English desk news editor. This opinion piece reflects the opinion of the writer , it does not necessarily reflect the views of this publication.
