I am not surprised that SM Mohamed Idris thinks Malaysians feel unsafe in their country. Statistics only tell half the story. Many crimes go unreported. Crimes are symptomatic of the moral breakdown.

While Mohamed advocates a re-focus on family values, that is only part of the solution. The crux of the problem is the failure of the government to provide sound leadership and for leaders to set the moral example.

Youth are idealistic and impressionable. They may follow the latest fads but they are also learning to develop a strong moral sense. But who do they look to for inspiration? Parents are the first point of contact and the centre of influence when kids are young. Peer pressure in the teen years have more bearing upon their values but they are not entirely free from adult influence.

When our youth watch the antics of our politicians and see how they behave, they will justify their own actions. Monkey see, monkey do. And young people become cynical of adults who preach one thing and practise another. They feel exasperated. Bad example from adults damage kids more than the Internet or television. When they see adults go through the rituals of religion and talk bad about others and adopt questionable business ethics, they learn hypocrisy and deception.

When young people grow up and suddenly realise that government policies discriminate against them, they become disillusioned, and learn to be selfish, taking care only of themselves. When others are spoon-fed and think it is their right to privileges because of their parents' race, religion and connections, they become self-indulgent and arrogant.

The government with decades of bad policies has created a nation of cynics. Today, we see a former prime minister quarreling with just about everyone and advocating ideas that count for anything but peace. But South Africans can look at Mandela and glow with pride.

The litany of sins in the nation is a long one and the increasing number of crimes are symptomatic of a society gone awry. Greed has overtaken the country. Religion has failed. It has not helped Malaysians to become more honest. Many are out to make a quick buck and few are seriously concerned for their country anymore and patriotism is a dirty word.

All this we can attribute to the failure of the government in promoting a society built on truth, justice and sound morality. We can thank Mahathir for this legacy.

We judge a tree by its fruit. The Malaysian tree is diseased and not producing the fruit we desire. It is a tree fit for uprooting. But don't expect this government to do it. It, too, is diseased.