Nanny State or Ninny State?

Women, Family and Community Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil today commented that it is not the time yet for the government to punish those who abandoned their parents. (The Star, 12th April 2007)

Wow - not the time yet? Has the government really given serious thought on this policy? Or this is yet another press statement that is carelessly uttered to win support from the elderly electorate? Several MPs called for those who abandoned their parents to be produced in court or have their salaries deducted (I am laughing as I am typing this). Certainly, these people may have thought that their suggestion is a noble one, however, it is overwhelmed by their sheer naivety.

The government, or any government for that matter, has no business in family management. Encroaching itself into family affairs is certain to cost the country hefty resources while achieving nothing.

Without even going into what is defined as "abandoned", how are the government going to enforce the policy? Are we going to create a squad of "Parents' Police", who will go around checking on old folks around the country? If we do find elderly folks who are "abandoned", are we certain to be able to trace their children? And even if we are able to trace the children, which children are we going to prosecute if there are more than 1? All of them? The eldest?

How much are we going to deduct from their salaries? Will the government then be responsible for these elderly folks? Are we going to have a National Old Folks Home in every town and city? Or are they going to coerce the children to "un-abandon" their parents? And if they refuse? Are they going to jail?

There are a thousand complications on implementation and enforcement. What is the Minister thinking when she mooted this idea?

A simpler idea would be giving subsidies or tax incentives to those who are taking care of elderly parents. Those who have to shoulder their parents' expensive medical expenses can be given full tax deductibility off their income tax. Or those supporting their parents livelihoods can be given a tax-deductible allowance, depending on the age and number of parent(s). Children who buy medical insurance for their parents can enjoy tax deductions for premiums paid.

The Malaysian government should think carefully before they recommend any policies in public forums. I shudder to think that our Malaysian MPs is making our country a laughing stock by uttering anything under the sun which they perceived to be clever or popular without thinking it through first.

Please, Malaysian MPs, think before you speak.