There is more than ‘beer' to the problems faced by our youth in the country. Why the fuss over the selling of beer in Malay-majority areas in Selangor when there is a huge brewery in the country?

Who decided on establishing this brewery? Anyway, this is not an issue so crucial that the people need to start a public debate and a street demonstrations.

For the past 50 years, the people had access to beer almost everywhere and nobody made a fuss out of this. Even condoms are sold freely in most convenience store outlets.

It's how a family brings up the children that will make the latter decide for themselves what is right or wrong in life.

Beer is sold in many establishments in Barisan and Pakatan controlled states. In fact, it was there in Selangor before Pakatan took over the state.

Why the issue now? It all boils down to sheer politics.

And of late it was reported that Umno youth would want to participate in PAS-led protest over this matter.

To the wise, it would only be appropriate if this kind of protest is also done in Barisan controlled states. No, it would not happen.

Anyway, this issue of beer has not dented the good governance of Selangor by Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim. Khalid is a doer and a man who walks his talk. He delivers and this makes him a good chief minister.

He is a popular because he can perform. His experience as a corporate figure in the past is an asset to the people of Selangor, compared to the former chief minister of the state.

This country is unique and whole game of politics is to win the minds of the people by hook or crook. There is a lot of twists and turns of facts. Religion is used to gain sympathy from those less educated people.

The main stream media is oftentimes used to the full to convince the people that what is false is true and what is true as false. This is detrimental to our society, as people have begun to disbelieve news and information brought by government controlled media.

Politicians must not forget that taxpayers pay their salaries and that their jobs are certainly not for keeps. The grudge people have against arrogance and falsehood will be translated into votes for the opposition, or vice versa.

If the selling of beer is going to affect a community of people in Selangor, then what about those served in posh hotels and pubs patronised by people of all races?

Some of these posh joints are patronised by the ‘elite and untouchable' groups. The authority is quiet about it. Why then the double standard?

Serving beer was a common feature in military camps and police mass in the country at one time. It was unquestioned then.

Gambling is a big money-making business in the country. We now have special draws and just like other ‘irreligious business' the government could garner huge tax from this.

Licence is given to legalise these ‘irreligious' business. The money is used to pay, among others, the salaries of government servants. Just observe who patronises these gambling joints.

Drug addiction is another habit among our youth. Again people of all races are involved in this disgraceful activity. Despite the heavy penalty on drug traffickers and all the rehabilitative measures taken to curb the problem, it goes on unabated.

Drugs are still available to these addicts. Drugs are still being trafficked. How could this happen? Any search into this ‘looseness'?

We see other problems faced by our society that should be of more concern to our politicians.

Prostitutions, incest, rape, high divorce rates, abandoning wives, not paying alimony, failure to give child maintenance, neglecting sired children, street children, domestic violence, corruption, poor standard of education, unemployment, poor public service system, illegal immigrants, hard crime, snatch thefts and so forth.

Almost every race in the country has its share of these problems.

Do not politicians have a blue print on how to solve all these issues? Are they working on ways to improve the social system in our country by coming out with clever ways to make all Malaysians live happy and in harmony?

No. Some politicians prefer to exploit on trivial things to stay in power instead. The media is used to harp on trivial matters to enable politicians to remain in power. The race card is often used to deliberately flare up people's sentiment.

Failing which, petty issues like the selling of beer suddenly become important as long as they feel that they can gain support from the people to stay or come back to power.

Politcians in England and the US debate on major social issues to get the support of the people. The issues revolve around the economy, foreign policy, social benefits, education and health.

In our country, politicians are skilled in ‘rousing up' people's sentiments based on race and religion. Some politicians claim that they have first class mentality. They condemn the Western world as ‘too secularised, not democratic enough and not to be emulated'.

When will our politicians change their mindset and approach politics in a matured manner? We have only about 26 million people and the country is blessed with resources. Yet, our politics is not settled enough to bring the country to achieve the desired success.

We are void of a two-party system - squabbling over petty issues and demonising the ideals of good governance if it is not to their political taste.

The main stream media is controlled by the government and the Opposition has no avenue to express their ideals to the people through these media. They hence opt for an alternative source of information dissemination - the blogs.

Open debate like what is practised in developed countries is totally not our cup of tea. Media reports seem to be biased and people are starting to feel the qualms now. Blogging has become more popular and people look for alternative news and information though these blogs.

When the Opposition turns to the blogs, there will be disgruntled voices from the ruling party. Again, we have failed to fully mature in the games of politics. It's still at the level of those in the third world countries, or far worse.

True democracy does not seem to prevail in our society. Politicking does not end after an election. It is a continuous drama in this country because of dishonesty and suppression in the political process.

The country is now sick of vengeance politics. Trivial issues are turned into sensational absurdities - creating mountains out of mole mounds. Race and religion are classically used by some politicians to remain in power and demonise those who oppose them.

People are now questioning not only the politicians, but the judiciary, the police, the MACC and other government-owned institutions. Why such a bad perception of these institutions?

It all boils down to immaturity in politics and the incessant rendering of false news over the main stream media and the blogs - a typical characteristic of a third-world mentality.

The issue of beer thus is not the main concern in our nation now. Just put this issue to rest. Politicians should not take advantage of this issue to cloud the minds of the innocent people.

The simple solution to it is just regulate the selling of beer and this settles the whole problem. PAS and Umno do not have to take this issue to the streets and get the media to highlight it as if it is so crucial an issue to the nation.

PAS and Umno should ponder over more important issues affecting not only the Malays but also the other races. The decision made by Tan Sri Khalid to solve this problem is wise indeed. This is the kind of leader the nation needs.