Time to embrace noble values to make them a way of life

his letter titled “Let’s put an end to nasty traffic jams” (NST, July 2), the writer, “Nam”, had raised the issue of faulty traffic lights and selfish drivers who had caused traffic congestion in many parts of Kuala Lumpur.

Those clamouring for a new Malaysia must play their role by discarding bad habits and irresponsible behaviour, especially on roads and in public places.

Flouting traffic laws and regulations, such as parking vehicles indiscriminately, reckless driving, breaching the speed limit, beating the traffic lights and stopping in yellow boxes, are among the die-hard habits that have not only affected traffic flow, but could also endanger the lives of other road users, including the offenders.

The time has come for all parties to do their part to start behavioural changes and help create a truly civic-minded society, in line with the call for a new Malaysia.

Efforts must be made to tackle various social issues, including the Mat Rempit and Mat Lajak menace. We must stop youngsters from riding their modified motorcycles and bicycles, respectively, and performing stunts on public roads, posing a danger to road users and endangering their own lives.

Road safety campaigns must be intensified in schools. Parents must also spend more time to bring up their children and ensure that they respect the laws of the country.

To build a new Malaysia, policy and system changes alone are not enough. We must respond positively and embrace good, noble universal values. We must practise these virtues in our daily life, emulating the Japanese in civic mindedness, courtesy and patriotism.

Despite Malaysia’s economic growth and progress, we have not succeeded in developing a civic-minded society. This could be clearly seen when the people are still throwing rubbish indiscriminately, despite public campaigns on anti-littering.

Improving a country’s image is not only the responsibility of the government, but also the duty of each citizen. All Malaysians must ask themselves whether they have done enough to ensure the success of various campaigns to promote courtesy and noble values among Malaysians. The virtues of courtesy, politeness, patience, humility, tolerance and respect have yet to become our way of life.

A lot more needs to be done to inculcate these virtues among Malaysians, particularly the young generation today.

Many students these days are not even prepared to utter the word “thank you” when an award or something is given to them. I have experienced this many a time. It is a simple act, yet difficult to come by.

Organising campaigns to promote noble values is important, but what is even more essential is to put into practice such values.

The success of any courtesy campaign must start from schools where these values must be taught. Moral Education or Pendidikan Moral in schools should be reinforced to emphasise the importance of learning and practicing the 36 noble values in schools.

Judging from the behaviour and attitude of a large number of Malaysians, we have no choice but to intensify our efforts to inculcate civic responsibility and courtesy among the people and make it a way of life.

Let it not be said that Malaysians work hard to change the government but lose sight of their civic obligations.