Published September 2011
Today's piece may raise
a couple of hackles but I'm prepared for it. I'm writing because I am
tired of seeing how discourse on hot news topics can become easily
distorted and spiral out of control. If the end result is a positive
one, I suppose I could try to slightly overlook the whole 'means to
an end' argument. But let's not get silly about it, people. Please.
I am all for Facebook
pages that highlight important issues such as human, land,
environmental and animal rights. They provide a valuable service as
they're usually the most suitable arena for general interaction with
like-minded individuals. These pages are perfect for NGOs and the
like, to disseminate appropriate and relevant information. I'm a fan
of quite a few Sabah-based pages and while I never really comment or
get involved in the discussion (I've often believed that if I don't
have enough knowledge on a topic, I'm better off keeping quiet), I do
observe.
But now, it's as though
I'm reaching the end of my tether. I feel inundated with speculative
urban legends, facts that get distorted and comments that are based
on emotion rather than logic. I've been paying particular attention
across the board to discussions regarding a recent article in the
media about several plots of land on three privately owned islands
off our waters which are apparently up for sale.
While I strongly agree
that it's important to educate ourselves on what can and can't be
done in the state, I came across comments from people who jumped to
several different conclusions with gusto, tarring this seemingly
straightforward, albeit interesting topic with that of the
controversial sale of Labuan island to the Federal government.
I'm from Labuan. I
suppose that's why I felt a little sensitive towards the sweeping
generalizations from certain individuals shouting from their
proverbial rooftops about how we're losing our heritage to
foreigners. A few other misplaced points were brought up, and the
discussion was steered completely off-topic.
I was perplexed as I
genuinely wanted to learn and find out more about the issue of the
three islands but instead it felt as though I was witnessing a
blind-leading-the-blind exercise in futility. I am grateful to those
who shared sensible, intelligent information, but sadly they were the
minority. I couldn't help but wish the rest would just stop to read.
More importantly, I wished that they would stop to really think.
As many of us look to
these pages to get clear, unbiased updates, my point is very simply
this: Can we just check our emotions at the door and let relevance
reign?
I shudder to think at
what some readers are taking away with them from discussions such as
these, as unfounded statements based solely on opinion without fact
can lead to irresponsible behaviour. Wrong assumptions have the
potential to turn into volatile, dangerous things. At best, they are
irritating.
I agree with the need
to keep a watchful eye on the goings-on in our own backyards. After
all, if we didn't love Sabah we wouldn't care. But let's please keep
things in order. Otherwise when the next hot topic pops up I might
not even want to pay attention. One can only cry wolf so many times.
