I refer to the Malaysiakini report Umno Youth mob: 'Disgusting, shameful, despicable' .

If there is one word that became so famous in the last few days, it is without doubt celaka which means ‘damn’ according to Malay-English dictionary. I did not know the detriment of this word as my friends and I have had used it countless times in our conversations. But I’m sure none of us had ever taken it as offensive or felt offended.

Now we have people, or shall I say the youth leaders of Umno, who have barged into the august house of this country. They cornered Karpal Singh, the man who called them ‘Umno Youth celaka’ to demand an explanation and an apology.

Well, regardless of our political difference, all right-thinking Malaysians will agree to this as a total disrespect and violation of parliamentary principles. It’s undeniably a ‘disgusting, shameful and despicable’ action as expressed by another writer here.

What made me perplexed was the actions and reactions by some of the leaders and ministers in this country. Do they realise every view expressed by them is not only heard by Umno but the entire population? Maybe this could be the real reason as to why Umno is drifting apart from ordinary Malaysians.

In showing his Malay patriotism, aspiring Umno Youth chief Mohd Khir Toyo warned Karpal and others by saying ‘We would do anything that is necessary to defend Umno and the Malays’. I find this an intimidating and irresponsible reaction. Will a good leader respond in this manner?

Utusan Malaysia quoted Umno leader Muhammad Muhammad Taib as saying, ‘the action of the group of Umno supporters barging into the compound of Parliament to confront Karpal was rational’. He further added, it was the result of provocation by Karpal who said he wanted to sue the Sultan of Perak .

To Muhammad Taib, I wish to reproduce a comment made by another writer: ‘When we accuse others of derhaka and treason against the sultan, are we aware that the house of Parliament is the rightful abode of our constitutional monarchy, and to invade this sacrosanct space is more serious than demonstrating outside the sultan’s istana?’

Of all the remarks, the worst came from the leader and minister who is supposed to guide and mentor youths, young minds and teachers. Hishamuddin Hussein Onn has proven to be a complete let-down.

In his reaction to the scuffle in parliament, he said something to this effect: ‘Those Umno members involved in the scuffle are willing to face action and charges.

‘And I, as the leader, will stand by their side to extend whatever support they need’.

Isn’t this most despicable thing to have been uttered by a youth leader, an education minister, a law- abiding citizen and probably a potential prime minister?

What Hisham has done is tantamount to condoning the act of hooliganism; it’s akin to ‘since you provoked me, I attack you’. Is it because of Hisham’s ‘transformational leadership’ values that we see more and more young people becoming violent?

If so, every parent in Malaysia has a valid reason to worry about him being the education minister.