Of the London Riot

Everyone sensed that something was not right in the social hierarchy in England for quite some time. The rising unemployment, recession, the opening of the borders both to the European Union allies and immigrants from South Asia and the Caribbean over the years has definitely spelt resentment amongst the local. The crumbling state of the Health Service - the beloved NHS - for instance is symptomatic of this decline.

The rise of the ultra Right - the British Nationalist Party in England for instance - across Europe stem from this uneasiness. This has culminated tragically recently with the killing spree in the peaceful capital of Norway. The shift in the ethnic content in Britain will over time take it toll. They had been tolerant in the past, in accepting refugees from the Commonwealth, maybe out of guilt on their Colonial past. But now, they have asylum seekers from North Africa, Yemen, from all over the world. One have to realise that Britain is a nation of limited internal resources. They overcame this by colonisation before. Unfortunately, that is one no longer an option. They will not be able to cope with immigrants in the long term.

Despite this thought, the extend of the rioting came as a surprise. What started as a contained protest, has I was sure being capitalised by other parties as an excuse to riot and raze. It was a mean to vent their anger and frustration. The majority of them joined in for a bit of fun, little did they realise that the gaze of the world is upon them. It was a major embarrassment to the Cameron cabinet especially this coming a couple of weeks before what was meant to be a celebration in counting down a year before the 2012 Summer Games starts. This unwanted publicity would have dented some of the preparation as well as the confidence of the World in London hosting the Games next year. Have the authority taken their eyes of the ball in dealing with the current riot? Whatever it is, I am sure they would be more than capable of making a success of the Olympics.

On a more serious note, I wish all my friends and fellow Malaysian in the UK to stay safe during this uncertain times. May Allah watch over them in this Holy Month of Ramadhan. InsyaAllah.