Don’t keep blaming the parents, says Chew
They’re devastated by deaths of eight cyclists, says minister
SERDANG: Be compassionate towards the parents of the eight teenage cyclists killed in a tragic accident on Saturday, Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun has advised the public.
“Wait for the outcome of the police probe. I believe the parents need to take responsibility but their children have died.
“They are already devastated. If we keep blaming them, we’ll just be adding to their sorrow,” said the Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister.
The Welfare Department will provide counselling to the family members if requested, she added.
“Emotionally, we need to calm them down first,” she said after launching the MalaysianKorean Renowned Artists Exchange Exhibition at Longhua Art Museum, Wisma Huazong, yesterday.
The eight cyclists were killed when a car ploughed into the group in Johor Baru.
Another eight were injured, with two still being treated at the ICU of Hospital Sultanah Aminah.
Two of the parents spoke out on Sunday, urging the public to stop making hurtful comments on social media and allow them to grieve in peace.
Separately, Chew encouraged nonMalays to consider studying at the National Arts Culture and Heritage Academy as only one of five students was nonMalays.
“Having a more diverse student mix will strengthen the spirit of multiculturalism at the academy,” she said. “The fees are also very affordable, costing about RM6,000 for a threeyear bachelor’s degree and RM7,000 for a master’s degree.”
She said it was important for Malaysia to nurture artists and a vibrant art scene as the country strove to become a developed nation.