Relief in humanity

Sin Chew Daily/Asia News Network, Selangor, Malaysia

After the tsunami, we have seen the good and ugly sides of man. Of all the ugly incidents, the most distressful is none other than the reportedly unfair treatment of Aceh Chinese by the pribumis.

When the news was first reported, indignation and dejection took over the passion of sympathy. Why was it that at such a time of distress, when we badly needed one another's help and support, such racially-motivated discriminations and emotions were allowed to break loose?

But fortunately, after the clarifications by relevant organizations, it was evident that the acts of robbery were not aimed at Chinese exclusively.

And later when we read of the locals holding out their helping hands to the Chinese, saving the lives of many, I smiled in relief -- attesting to the manifestation of the highest human values of relieving the agony of victims regardless of race or religion.

The tsunami is now over for more than two weeks, but relief work is still going on unabated. Various organizations and individuals have gone about all kinds of charity activities aimed at raising funds to help the victims.

This marks an important beginning of love and care for 2005, having experienced a world plagued by confrontations and violence in 2004.

The disaster has opened our eyes to the fact that we need to treasure whatever we are possessing now. The miseries of tsunami victims have touched our deeper hearts. We have to use our care and love to create hope, and only with love are we able to relieve the agony of the victims. This is the positive effect the ghastly tsunami has brought.

Having said that, there are still a few annoying developments in the relief operations.

Some countries have sent their military instruments to Southeast Asia in the name of relief work, while other powerful states have tried to flex their muscles over to this part of the world. These are what we are most reluctant to see.

The Asian tsunami has created enough sufferings for people living in this region. They are even more unwilling to lose their sovereignty because of this disaster.

It is hoped that all individuals, organizations and countries taking part in the relief work do so out of a pure intention to help, not for any other purposes or political agendas.

Only in this way are we able to really have a sense of relief.