Growing List Of ‘Sensitive’ Issues
By Ignatius Stephen

Bandar Seri Begawan - They frequently go into hiding."

The speaker was a young girl, eager, pretty and fashionable.

Moreover, just like most other freshly returned from studies overseas, she was simply bursting with ideas and suggestions as she impatiently surveyed the world around her with an ever critical eye.

And she was, no doubt, in a hurry to change the world

This morning as usual while enjoying her coffee, she and her friends were discussing how they would rearrange everything.

If given half the chance, they would change all to fit in With their ideas of the universe, an imperfect place which they had unwittingly inherited.

"Yes, most of them hide," she said again rather disdainfully.

Others took little notice of her. They were used to her periodical outbursts which sometimes made no sense.

"Who has gone into hiding? A gang of criminals or someone?"

That was the young man who seemed to like her particularly. "I am getting worried," in mock alarm, he teased her.

Others took it up. "Oh, let us into the secret, please," they pleaded in jest.

She looked around. She was no fool. Aware that they were making fun of her did not deter her.

"Yes, many arc in hiding. And hole that they have crawled into is called 'Sensitive Issues.'

"Ask for their opinion on any subject. Their answer will most likely be that they are unable to comment because it is a 'sensitive' issue. If they detect the slightest controversy they would quickly crawl into the hole and dig themselves in even deeper," she commented.

By this time others were sitting up and taking notice. Gone were the smirks she was subject to just a few minutes ago.

Another young girl took it up. "And once someone pronounces the famous word ‘sensitive,’ that's it. End of all discussions. Subject closed. No one will have to bother about it anymore. Everyone will nod in agreement."

The young man cut in this time. "Yes, it comes in handy when you want to avoid any kind of responsibility or decision making. Furthermore there are too many 'sensitive' subjects these days. And the list is growing. Everyone makes it up as they go."

Just then a middle-aged man came in. Some of them knew him slightly.

And it so happened, it began to rain outside. Someone in the group asked the man, who could have been a civil servant, "Uncle, is it raining heavily outside, will it go on for a long time?"

The man eyed the group suspiciously. Then he said, "Sorry, I can't answer that."

He continued to march towards the counter for his takeaway obviously in a hurry.

"Why sir? Why can't you answer'?" a young girl asked him half teasingly. She was quite puzzled as well.

The man looked at their innocent young faces. So little did they know. Then he said, "It is a sensitive subject. With so much rain falling in Temburong the rain and the resultant floods have become sensitive issues. So, no comment."

With that he walked out.

The group was silent for a moment. But soon after, their laughter could be heard over the next street. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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