CRISIS often brings out emotions that rule over rationality because fear of the unfamiliar is an unknown. A flurry of chats among my relatives pertaining to the recent earthquake in Sabah sparked an interesting point for us to ponder upon the many ideals we hang on to. When an unknown fear eclipses our senses, do we believe it or continue to follow rational thinking?
A cousin of mine living in Canada lamented the way local media deliberately twisted news of the remand of 'some happy tourists' in Sabah to suggest the archaic parochialism so often stereotyped by narrow-minded right wing writers. Right away, words like 'strictly conservative Muslim country' and other associated words conveniently come into play. Their contradiction is both blinding and glaring at the same time.
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