Dr. Tan Tek Seng

DAILY REFLECTION

“You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry,”

Exodus‬ ‭22‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭

The world we live in today is marked by deep insecurity, where the threat of rape and sexual assault remains a persistent and painful reality.

The recent incident in Alor Gajah, Melaka where a 15-year-old girl was allegedly gang raped by four older students stands as a shocking reminder of moral decay. This tragedy, occurring within a school meant to nurture and protect, exposes a deeper crisis: the erosion of conscience, empathy, and respect for human dignity.

Moral education must therefore become a national and spiritual priority. Beyond academic excellence, our youth need to learn the sacred value of every human life.

True moral education begins at home and is reinforced in schools and faith communities. It teaches:

• The sanctity of each person’s body and dignity.

• The moral limits that safeguard respect and justice.

• The courage to act when others are in danger.

• The rejection of toxic attitudes that glorify dominance or silence victims.

While justice must be served through law, transformation begins in the heart. We must raise a generation guided not only by rules but by righteousness - youth who understand that moral strength is the foundation of a just society.

Exodus 22:22–23 reminds believers that compassion and justice are central to godly living. It emphasises that God hears the cries of the oppressed, holds the powerful accountable, and calls His people to reflect His heart of justice, mercy, and protection for the defenseless.

“Have the courage to defend the defenseless and be a voice for the voiceless,"