Syabas to all Malaysians who had expressed their shock and indignation over the action by the Kajang police in cropping off the hair of 10 senior citizens caught for playing mahjong recently.

The condescending incident of shaving the elderly men bald not only brought humiliation to the affected people, but also in effect, to all elderly persons in our country which includes our fathers and grandfathers.

This is certainly not the Malaysian way or culture where all of us are brought up to show respect for the elderly and be compassionate to the weak and vulnerable in our society.

Until now, I thought that the first people in our community to be taught such values would be our police force whom I understand are supposed to rush to the defense of such persons.

Forgive my ignorance, but I do not see why the police could not have just had a talk with the 11 senior citizens and offer them tea before letting them go.

A positive reinforcement like that I think would have been more effective than attempts to try and patronise and insult them, considering the fact that these individuals have lived longer than most of us.

Most important of all, let us all not forget that one day all of us including those in the police force - will grow old too and have a disability or two to add to our daily struggles.