To refresh our memories, I remember the occasion of the November 1995 Umno general assembly when the then Umno Youth acting chief Mohamed Nazri Aziz, in addressing the youth annual assembly, openly described Umno Youth members as 'anak jantan', brave and willing to face consequences, and thus courageous.

Citing a proverb, the acting Youth chief said: 'If you are afraid of being tossed by the waves, do not build your house by the beach". With that mindset, he also issued a stern warning to the foreign media to stop spreading lies which could threaten the unity of Umno's leadership, adding: 'This is a warning from Umno Youth. If they want to know Umno Youth they can try. If it happens, tomorrow we will close their offices'.

We also remember certain Umno Youth leaders who also threatened to burn down the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall. With this hindsight, we can understand the display of 'arrogance' and 'threats' from Umno Youth at their latest assembly last week.

It is up to the public to judge whether the views of Umno Youth leaders are misplaced courage or a lack of wisdom in their political culture in that might rules above all sanity.

Perhaps, amidst the publicity stunts and performance of certain Umno Youth wing leaders, more efforts should be directed to resolve real problems in our society. The number of incest cases, the numbers of youths indulging in drugs, increasing juvenile-linked crime cases and youth unemployment in the country all need the courage of Umno Youth leaders to tackle.

Blaming TV shows and putting tags of 'un-Islamic' will not resolve these real social ills. Umno Youth should place emphasis where it truly belongs. And not by making threats and raising frivolous issues.

Bravery and courage must be tempered with dignity and modesty. This is the 21st century. Old mindsets in youth bodies do not bode well for our future.