LISTEN!! RESPECT others' opinions and THINK!!..

I haven’t had the time to write in my blog in the past few months, but events in the past few days make me have to write this.  It seems that many of us in this country have forgotten how to respect other people’s opinions.

To start with, I want to express my sympathy to my fellow economist Azrul Azwar.  He presented his forecast of 3 scenarios for the forthcoming PRU13 and their impact to Malaysian economy including scenarios where PR would win it.  Surprise surprise.. he got suspended by his employer Bank Islam for “serious misconduct”.  Ok.. his forecast is not in line with Bank Islam’s “official view” but Bank Islam did come out with this statement “The views expressed by Mr Azrul are not entirely his personal view and should not be linked or attributed to Bank Islam whatsoever.”  If that is the case, then why suspend him? 

What I find even funnier is the remark made by Deputy Finance Minister Awang Adek Hussin “.. he should not be talking about politics..”.  Dear Sir, do you really know what an economist job is?  An economist has to come up with economics forecasts taking into account all variables including politics.  I am quite sure Tan Sri Zeti is offended with such remark.  Actually I am not surprise by the Deputy Minister remark, I had experience working as economist in government environment for 8 years and I dare say most of the people “up there” don’t know what the scope for an economist is.

What concerns me most is the attack by pro-government blogs on Azrul’s professional views.  Noted that he is a PKR member, so his views might be biased towards PR.. but to attack his credibility as a seasoned economist is below the belt, guys.  If you don’t agree with him, come up with facts why his scenarios were wrong.  If you attack him just because he is a PR member, then the same can be said to other professionals out there who are UMNO, MIC or MCA members.. all their opinions are worthless.  So, whose views can we listen then?

This brings me to the event in UUM that went viral in the net for the past few days.. “LISTEN!.. LISTEN!.. LISTEN!.. “.  This incident exposes the classic case lacking respect for others’ opinions.  For Sharifah Zohra to cut Bawani from continue giving her opinions (by pulling the mic, can you believe it?) was without ‘adab’.  Then, telling Bawani should LISTEN to her because she is older and belittling Bawani as having the least education among the students there just because Bawani has different opinions from her.. well, make me have no RESPECT to her.  Sharifah.. I hear more facts from Bawani than you in that 10 minutes incident.

What happened in UUM actually represent what is happening in this country lately especially with PRU around the corner.  Everybody is categorised as either BN or PR supporters and thus, all opinions are considered bias without looking at the supporting arguments.  If I say BR1M is good, people will say I am a BN supporter.  If I say free education is possible, people will say I am a PR supporter.  What if I say both.. I guess I am not a Malaysian then because Malaysian should be either BN or PR.. SERIOUSLY??

LISTEN!.. LISTEN!.. LISTEN!.. is a virus that if left unchecked will leave our society divided and unable to think.  Why should we be surprise Bawani was treated that way when a Chief Economist was treated the same way?  Granted that both gave opinions that favoured PR, but are we too brain-dead to absorb the arguments given and counter them with our own arguments with facts?  If we can’t counter them but don’t agree with them.. show our respect, sit quite and shut our mouth because the moment our mouth opens, stupidity will come out.  Think about it.  Instead of LISTEN!.. LISTEN!.. LISTEN!.., we should be actually THINK!.. THINK!.. THINK!