Weneed positive mindset to progress

IREAD with great disgust but not much surprise how PAS “fears celebrating the demon that is Halloween”. These are the people who called a ban on Elton John’s concert claiming that it would corrupt young Muslims because of John’s homosexuality.

These are the same people who labelled Valentine’s Day a celebration of “sinful sexual gratification”. They consider Halloween and “Gangnam Style” similar to “worshipping Satan”.

I do not understand why PAS leaders choose to express their personal sentiments on these matters with such dire negativity. It clearly reflects not only on their primitive mentality but also their negative perception of our youth and society.

This endless misrepresentation of our “failure” to comprehend what is morally and socially right or wrong is extremely insulting. PAS leaders should bear in mind that we are a progressive nation and not everyone in this country possesses the same negative mindset as they do.

I am sickened by their feeblemindedness and the fact that they declare themselves our leaders who aspire to lead our nation. We must remember that freedom to vote comes with power, in which lies a glimmer of hope for this country.

We need to appreciate this power and make it a duty to choose our leaders wisely. We are destined for doom should these “leaders” accomplish their quest to run our country.

As a young Malaysian, I am extremely outraged and humiliated by their nonsensical statements. On celebrating the “demon” that is Halloween, Johor PAS Commissioner Datuk Dr Mahfodz Mohamed said “if there are no proper checks by parents or the authorities, this can lead to moral decay” and “such parties can get wild where alcohol would eventually be consumed”.

For such PAS leaders, Valentine’s Day is a sinful celebration because “free mixing of males and females has led to adultery, prostitution and other social menaces including rape and baby dumping.” I find that statement revolting and degrading.

Why are we constantly depicted as uncontrollable sex-driven maniacs? PAS leaders also insist on gender segregation in cinemas.

So are we a nation of civilised people or a bunch of animals? This primitive mentality is restricting our youths to think independently.

It is time for these ignorant politicians to stop blaming social and moral decline on occasions like Valentine’s Day and Halloween. We need to focus not on negative aspects but effective ways to curb real social problems such as school bullying, gangsterism and drugs.

PAS leaders should suffer a wakeup call and understand that education is the only way to a developing nation. They should begin by educating themselves so that they can accept and understand how education is essential to our growth.

For example, sex education should not be frowned upon but introduced in schools all over the country. We need to embrace these changes, educate our youths for self-empowerment, teach them to protect themselves, and strengthen their minds instead of encouraging them to run away from social problems.

Placing constraints on certain festive occasions will not solve the social problems in this country. We have to tackle social issues effectively, with a healthy and positive mindset. ANGELINA ANN STA MARIA Malacca