If there is any lesson to be learnt from the viral video which saw a Datuk assaulting two fellow diners in a hotpot restaurant recently, it is that those with titles should not shamelessly throw their weight around in public.
These days, almost everyone has a handphone that comes with a camera. Nobody wants to be caught on candid camera in a potentially embarrassing situation and have the episode beamed to our screens in seconds or in real-time.
Worse still if you hold a title like a Datuk or Tan Sri and are captured on video breaking the law, to the extent of slapping someone. We have seen how powerful people were toppled because they were caught on camera for personal indiscretion.
In 2008, a former Minister resigned after a compromising video of him was widely circulated. Several years back, a Tan Sri was caught on video assaulting his daughter-in-law. Even a Deputy Minister was recently caught on video allegedly showing the middle finger in the Dewan Rakyat.
In this Big Brother era, it pays to stay composed and patient, no matter how hot one gets under the collar. The Chinese proverb holds true: One moment of patience may ward off great disaster. Our one moment of anger or indiscretion, if caught on camera, will stay online forever, resulting in reputational or even financial ruin.
The Datuk in the hotpot incident, however, must be commended for his bravery to record a video apologising for losing his patience after coming under fire from netizens, some of whom had dug up the businesses he owns and called for a boycott. Whether he was sincere or otherwise is secondary.
The fact that he and his friend have pleaded guilty in court shows he’s willing to own up and save the court time and resources for a full trial. With the power of the viral video as indisputable evidence, admitting to the offense is probably a wiser move.
The episode should also serve as a reminder for the respective palaces, award givers and authorities that holders of such titles must behave in a way befitting their stature. If they were to bring disrepute to the titles conferred upon them, they should be revoked automatically.
In fact, institutions that confer such titles can consider setting up a website to list recipients who had their titles revoked. This is similar to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) website which lists those convicted of graft. This is one way to ensure the titles live up to the glorified stature they deserve. – Jan 22, 2021
Julian Tan is an avid FocusM reader.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
