PETALING JAYA: The tough love shown by a father who made the difficult choice not to post bail for his repeat offender son received strong support from the public.
Many took to social media to voice their opinions on the decision by V. Mariadass to teach his 26-year-old son M. Herry Dass a lesson.
The distraught father opted not to continue with the RM3,000 bail after the son claimed trial to gang robbery.
The response was overwhelmingly in agreement with Mariadass as an online poll by The Star Online yesterday found 95% of more than 1,000 respondents approving his decision to turn his back on his remorseless son.
Only 5% responded that as the father, Mariadass, 55, should take some responsibility for his son’s upbringing.
The case attracted a great deal of interest with numerous Facebook users uploading their comments and showing a similar level of support for the father.
“Tough love. But the dad did the right thing in my opinion. Hope this guy repents and makes good of his precious life,” said Jai Gaanesh, adding that he hoped that the story would serve as a lesson to others.
Firdaus Khalid pointed out that Herry Dass had the look that suited the entertainment industry, suggesting that he could have found a role in a television drama.
“Think about it man, you should be the one helping your dad in his old days, not making him suffer.
“Your dad did the right thing – it’s time you learn from this lesson, be a man and get a job to help your family,” said Firdaus.
Louisz Chin said: “The father made the right decision although it may look and sound like he was very cruel.
“No parent would want their children to go to jail but it has come to the extent that the parent has to allow his child to face reality.”
Raveendran Subramaniam said it must have been a difficult choice and quoted the idiom “spare the rod and spoil the child”.
However, not all the comments were positive.
Eddie See said that Mariadass should also be blamed as he was involved in the upbringing of his son.
“I believe that parents should be held accountable for their children’s wrongdoing,” said See, in response to criticisms of his comments.
KL Chong also focused on how Herry Dass might have been raised, saying that “it all starts with childhood”.
“Teach your kid accountability and he will be careful and honest.
“Defend the kid and blame others even when he is wrong, he will grow up never taking responsibility and always counting on dad to bail him out,” he said.
“Prison life won’t change him!” was Daniel Raj’s remark, in contrast to comments that hoped Herry Dass would emerge a better man.
Raj said that once Herry Dass was behind bars, he would find himself indebted to gangs and would likely not be able to escape from them.
Herry Dass was granted bail by the court after he claimed trial under Section 395 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum 20-year jail sentence.
His father decided not to post his bail, saying that it was his son’s third or fourth run with the law within 10 years.
Mariadass claimed he had borrowed as much as RM20,000 to pay the fines since.
Several teenagers, interviewed by The Star, said Herry Dass should be brave enough to face the consequences.
Student Lucas Ng, 16, said one must take full responsibility for their actions, saying that the decision of Herry Dass’ father was justified.
Ng said spending time in prison could be a good lesson for Herry Dass to change for the better.
Ruba Abinaya Raja Morgan, 14, concurred, saying “by not bailing him out, the father is teaching his son a valuable lesson in life”.
Christina Liew, 16, said “using the rod” would serve as a reminder that one must face the outcome.
V. Latashah, 17, said Herry Dass’ father only wanted the best for his son.
“When a child, regardless of age, makes a mistake, he or she needs to face the consequences. You should never protect your child when they break the law,” she said.
Source: www.thestar.com.my
