Transparency International Malaysia (TI-Malaysia) is deeply saddened by the tragic death of two 13-year-old teenage friends who were involved in the recent illegal motorcycle racing accident in Elmina Business Park in Sungai Buloh. This unfortunate incident underscores the failure of parents to monitor their children’s movement, habits and activities.
We fully support the statement made by Sungai Buloh Police Chief Supt Mohd Hafiz Muhammad Nor for calling out to parents and guardians to be more responsible in monitoring their children particularly minors and also charge the parents of the victims under Section 39 of the Road Transport Act 1987 and Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001. These existing laws ensure that children are protected and not exposed to unnecessary danger.
TI-Malaysia has often highlighted the nexus between the perceived integrity crisis among the youth and the basic moral and ethical value system in our society. Today we see that this value system amongst the youth is diminishing. A research, conducted by the Institute of Youth Research (IYRES) Malaysia Youth Data Bank System cited by MACC showed that 16,566 youths aged 16 to 18 were involved and arrested in index crimes throughout Malaysia including theft, murder, rape and armed robbery from 2018 to 2022. Similarly, according to MACC statistics, civil servants in their 40s and below constituted 57.8% out of 5652 people arrested between 2007 to 2022 for corruption related offences. These statistics are an indication that the decay of basic moral and ethical values among our youth is serious and apparently at least statistically, parents as well are not being the example of practicing good moral and ethical values.
We urge all parents to devote more time to inculcate good moral and ethical values at home when their children are young and monitor their progress as they grow. As parents we should not expect the school teachers or the universities alone to teach these values. More importantly, since moral values are “caught” rather than “taught”, parents themselves need to be exemplary in upholding integrity and ethical standards especially when the children are at an impressionable age. It will be too late to make such corrections when they reach adulthood as proven by MACC and IYRES research statistics.
Let us embrace the truth that not only “charity” but also “integrity begins at home”, said Dr Muhammad Mohan, president of TI-Malaysia.
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Note to Editors: For clarification on any and all official statements from Transparency International – Malaysia (TI-M), kindly refer to its President, Dr Muhammad Mohan (mmohan@transparency.org.my)
