LETTER | If the Pakatan Harapan government can’t put four simple things in place now, then we are as good as having elected them in vain. We have spent enough time talking; now is action time.

First, why are we still contemplating and procrastinating to abolish child marriages? Are we still waiting for some great pronouncements from certain “enlightened” people?

Child marriages are exploitation of the rich, the lustful and powerful against the poor, the ignorant and the helpless. Period. There is nothing religious, cultural or traditional about this.

To parents of all faiths, religions and racial backgrounds, just ask yourself this simple question: would you give your child away for marriage or would you prefer another child to suffer, so long it’s not yours? Don’t be a hypocrite, answer the question truthfully.

Have we ever wondered why religion and tradition are used to support child marriages but the same arguments are used against the LGBT people? This highlights my second issue – acceptance of LGBT folks.

Why are child marriages okay but LGBT are not? Do we know which one is “dirtier”, “more depraved” and “abhorrent”? I don’t know the answer, but surely the enlightened one must have known the difference.

By the way, if we are accepting LGBT, please accept all of them, not selectively. Don’t just accept LGBT when they are beautiful, rich and with status but hurt those who are not. Can we do just that?

Any form of indoctrination is bad. It robs human dignity and inculcates a herd mentality. It provides an avenue for the powerful to perpetuate their power and influence. Hence, BTN should be abolished, period.

So what are we waiting for? We can’t “train” or “talk” ourselves into patriotism. Patriotism will come naturally when citizens enjoy decent living and are treated fairly and with dignity.

If you don’t believe this, ask the communists. Everyone knows BTN has been abused to inculcate ideologies totally at a tangent with equality and inclusiveness. So, abolish now, not later or pending study.

Finally, recognise the UEC examination now, not wait possibly for another five years of “study”. Please don’t get me wrong; I am not fighting for UEC recognition per se. I am fighting against intransigence, fanaticism and racialism not to accept inclusiveness and greater liberalism for this country.

We must get our bearings right. Delaying UEC recognition as promised is not just an education issue. I think it is the “dominance and subservience” playbook again, not unlike the policies of the previous government.

We do not need to wait for another day to accomplish these four issues.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.