Star Q
iii. Reading Activities
Yes, Malaysia is a free country but some of her citizens are taking the phrase very literally; which means they think they can do whatever they like and whenever they feel like doing them. It also means that they can throw caution to the wind and forget about the needs and sensitivities of others as long as their desires are fulfilled.
One of the things that these few Malaysians seem to crave for as being their right as citizens of a free country is the burning of firecrackers! First and foremost, let it be known that it is really and surely against the law to burn firecrackers in Malaysia. The only allowance given by the government is for the Chinese community to burn their long, red and huge firecrackers at midnight on Chinese New Year, with due respect, to ward off evil spirits as part of their celebrations. Period!
Secondly, living in a free country doesn't give you the right or the freedom to do anything you like, like making loud exploding noises with your firecrackers way pass midnight without respecting others who live nearby. Living in a free country also give those people the right to some peace and quite. I mean, these people can given in to your whims and fancies of making the horrible din, thus it is only polite for you, the firecracker-burners, to repay the tolerance that these people give to you by ending the noisy sessions at midnight! After all, life is about give and take. But don't expect people to give all the time while you only do the taking without giving something in return, in this case tolerance.
Last but definitely not least, firecrackers can be the cause of a lot of heart aches and distress. Firecracker-burners in their eagerness and excitement to light the first fuse almost always forget that their firecrackers can have catastrophic results. These people, especially those who live in terrace houses, always aim their firecrackers away from their houses, most of the time towards other peoples houses unfortunately. These people may argue that there have been very few reports of damage (lives and property) due to firecrackers but things do happen. Plus isn't it disrespectful, in the midst of trying to aim your firecrackers away from your house, you unwittingly make your neighbours the target of your firecrackers, causing them much uneasiness and angst!
I guess firecracker-burners think they can get away with anything because even the relevant authorities are just crossing their arms across their fat chests, not doing anything to make sure that the law is not broken. Having said that, it is up to the free citizens of Malaysian like us to uphold what ever fragments of a good neighbourhood that is left in our society to be tolerant with each other.
Just remember, it is always good to give and take in order to foster a good sense of neighbourliness, but where tolerance and kindness is concerned, don't always be at the taking end; learn to give as well.
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