Dissent or Concerned Patriotism?
As a Bruneian, we're all acutely aware that sometimes criticism is hard to swallow, especially when such critique is sent in your general direction, attacking your ability, competence or sincerity. On the other hand, as an educated citizen who feel strongly about the future of our country, it also seems fair that we would start to assume a more proactive and vocal role when it comes to matters that concern our social and economic welfare. But, disconcertingly, somehow it seems extremely hard to escape the fact that, if as an individual I question the government or the lackadaisical attitude of some of our fellow Bruneians, that it would be labeled as dissent, that that I would be personally labeled as an ingrate and not appreciative of the gifts of our country and our government. Worst of all, will they label me, as they say in Bahasa Melayu, derhaka?
So, is dissent and being patriotic mutually exclusive? If concern citizens like myself let rip on some issue about our government and criticize a fellow Bruneian or Bruneians in general, who in our honest opinion is simply not doing enough for society, would you consider me disloyal and unworthy of being a Bruneian?
Food for thought.....
As a Bruneian, we're all acutely aware that sometimes criticism is hard to swallow, especially when such critique is sent in your general direction, attacking your ability, competence or sincerity. On the other hand, as an educated citizen who feel strongly about the future of our country, it also seems fair that we would start to assume a more proactive and vocal role when it comes to matters that concern our social and economic welfare. But, disconcertingly, somehow it seems extremely hard to escape the fact that, if as an individual I question the government or the lackadaisical attitude of some of our fellow Bruneians, that it would be labeled as dissent, that that I would be personally labeled as an ingrate and not appreciative of the gifts of our country and our government. Worst of all, will they label me, as they say in Bahasa Melayu, derhaka?
So, is dissent and being patriotic mutually exclusive? If concern citizens like myself let rip on some issue about our government and criticize a fellow Bruneian or Bruneians in general, who in our honest opinion is simply not doing enough for society, would you consider me disloyal and unworthy of being a Bruneian?
Food for thought.....
3 comments:
Constructive criticisms should be OK. Advice is even better. The manner of delivery is important.
Criticizing someone is easy. Achieving the end result is another issue - as it needs wisdom and good speech. Criticism for the sake of criticism is negative. Sometimes people don't trust the intentions of the one who is criticizing. Dirty politics exist and is divisive.
Sometimes people have a high opinion of their own views. When it doesn't go their way, they resort to public slanging, shouting, etc. Sometimes you see hundreds on the streets shouting "Down with ...!", etc. However, the loudest voice is not always correct. The braying of a donkey can be annoying.
Sometimes people can be very sensitive. Some people get offended even when it's not a criticism. Some car drivers get angry even if you overtake them. Some even get offended by simple statements. Maybe its too much pride and not enough humility. Sometimes you can't get the result you want and may have to wait patiently.
Islam teaches us to pass on good advice in the best of ways. Most of the time the manner of our delivery of good advice lets us down.
Agreed. Obviously this blog is about conveying criticisms that are constructive, but as you said even constructive criticism can be construed as an affront against public reputation or social face of either the company or individual.
Finding the right balance might be harder than one thinks but I firmly believe that only if we are able to collectively agree that dissent and debate should be allowed and not vilified, then we will be on our way to progress.
But vilification of dissenters still seem all too automatic in our society (given my experience in the different sectors -government, semi and private)so we may still have a long way to go.
Brunei is a small country. We need to be sensible on how we convey 'criticisms', some of which can be very destabilising.
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