An Excuse Called "Sensitive"

There is an excuse that has been proved effective every time called "sensitive". Discussions on anything labelled as "sensitive" is forbidden.

What is sensitive?

What? You don't know? That can only prove that you are not sensitive enough and you are doomed to suffer great losses.

Let me tell you, "sensitive" could be an act or a discourse. Whether it is an act or a discourse, they are considered undesirable as they will hurt people and subvert the country. Therefore, we must use coercive means to eliminate them.

Under the excuse of "sensitive issues", many problems have been ignored. Education is sensitive. Thus, issues like Chinese primary school teachers, language medium for Science and Mathematics in UPSR, full or half subsidy for Chinese primary schools, unfair school funding, the status of Chinese independent high schools, as well as the unfair distribution of local university places are not resolved.

Religion is sensitive. Thus, religious forums must be stopped, discussion on religious conversion must be prohibited, causing endless cases of fighting for corpses.

Racial and privilege issues are very sensitive and must not be challenged.

As a result, the press must be cautious and websites should bear the word "sensitive" in their minds. Otherwise, they may be seized by the government.

The word "sensitive" is really a cure-all. With it, freedom of expression must make a concession, freedom and equality must step aside while the truth will be swept under the carpet and will never be revealed.

When can we get rid of our fear to challenge the authority and go beyond sensitivity?

(By LIM MUN FAH/ Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily)
MySinchew
2008.09.02