Standing My Ground

Article 10(1), Federal Constitution

Like many other democracies, [the Federation of] Malaysia protects your right and freedom to associate and form associations. You can apply to join Chambers of Commerce, Welfare and Charity groups, political groups, think tanks and the like. As a student, you can for study and discussion groups with no problem. It can be at McDonald’s, Secret Recipe, the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaves, Perpustakaan Tun Abdul Razak, Perpustakaan Sultan Badlishah, Kolej Perindu, Dataran Cendikia and at other venues. You can also associate yourself with like-minded people and go out and do the things you like: camping with friends at Pulau Perhentian, going shopping at Bukit Bintang, swimming in Ulu Yam and the like. All covered and protected by Article 10. What saddens me is when sororities, fraternities and groups are hijacked by reckless individuals who intend to promote their own personal cause rather than the objective of the group as a whole.

Take the study group, for example. The intention is to help groups members comprehend and understand the subject or course. Instead, more often than not, it becomes a session for gossip. The same goes for meetings. Instead of having the nawaitu to address the agenda and move towards the ultimate objective(s), it becomes a bickering session. Non-critical issues are raised - can I wear pink? Sometimes, the attendees ask question indifferent from the presentation.

Imagine this: the member have explained that all committee members must wear black and white on the day of the event. An attendee then asks a question: “do I have to wear black and white?”

I’m sure you must have attended a presentation, meeting and discussion or at least organised one. Don’t you find it irritating that the presented is reading verbatim the presentation from the handout given? Is she implying that we do not know how to read? Have you ever had someone elaborating on general information/common knowledge over and over again? Example: AIDS is dangerous because it can kill. If you contract AIDS, you will die sooner or later. Many people die because of AIDS throughout the world. Bla bla bla…  Puh-lezz, we get it! How about telling us something we don’t know which is under your purview?

Have you heard of the Leo Club? It’s a club focused around charity and being social. I have joined two, while in Kolej Datu Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah and Kolej Tun Datu Tuanku Haji Bujang. The reason I joined was because I love volunteering for charitable causes. But what irks me is when people boast their membership. Example, I joined every event held by the Lions Club and the Leo Club - with the intention of receiving praises. Or take industrial visits, for example. Industrial visits or field trips to KLCC, the Pavilion, the Garden, One Utama. If you’re going through the operations of these shopping malls, or studying the design and interior decoration, no problem. But it you were there just so you can get rid of Tuanku Abdul Rahman from your purse/wallets during school hours (on taxpayers’ expenses, may I add), dont. In meetings, I have suggested this in jest. But somehow I find many who really want to do it, and go to the extent of actually doing it - overseas!

Here’s another pain in the neck: when your organisation’s purposes circumvents welfare of a group or segment of society. Instead of focusing on that or moving towards that goal, you fellow volunteers just want the name. Instead of actually listening to that segment, they prefer to listen to their own voices. I have a poster on salesmanship stuck on my wall. It says: Sell your customers what they want, NOT what you think they want. Say you want to buy a coffee. You have in mind Nescafe. Instead of selling you the Nescafe, I approach you and try selling you Burgundy. I talk of how it’s price is justified. How people will respect you when you drink and serve it. Don’t you just want to say: Dude, I just want my coffee! Can you give it to me already instead of wasting my time?

Another illustration: you and your best friend. Why is s/he your best friend? Because you both share the same thing in common. S/He listens to and constantly supports you. Your association with her/him is based on communication. Two-way communication. Notices and announcement aren’t two communication. Unless we share good relationship, you would not like it if I ordered you around.

Unfortunately, sometimes the people at the top remembers the purpose, vision and mission of the group. Older and founding members - theoretically - would share the same thing. As new blood is being absorbed, new ideas conflict with the present ideas. Most of the time, the two are compatible. But what happens if the newer members join just for the sake of name? What about if a member joins the Karate-Do Shitoryu Club just to show that she has fighting knowledge then proceeds to picking bones with others - necessary or otherwise.

As time passes, the last scenario becomes common throughout. Unfortunately, Article 10 does not protect the association itself. At last, some individuals who may have bad intentions can end up hijacking an organisation, tarnishing its name and bringing scourge and discontent towards their group. Unless the cancer cell is not removed, it will spread.

A new question is raised: which one is the cancer cell and which ones are the helpful ones? How do you identify them? Post a comment and share.