» The motorcyclist zooms past the vehicles on the Federal Highway. He's supposed to use the special dedicated lane for two-wheelers but he has other ideas. A police patrol car overtakes him and he moves to the emergency lane. The motorcyclist was not oblivious to the policemen in the car. It's a matter of bikin tak tahu or perhaps, the patrol car was on the trail of "dangerous, armed men" who had just committed a robbery.

» It's Friday night in Dataran Merdeka. The road in front of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building is closed to traffic. Cars are not only parked on the yellow lines but the authorities have created a parking zone for motorists in the centre of the road opposite the old City Hall building. Motorcyclists by the dozen arrive. It is a gathering point for the races.

» The Federal Territories Ministry has proposed that parts of Kuala Lumpur be closed to allow motorcyclists to race as a move to curb racing in residential and commercial areas. This, it has been wrongly argued, will help curb the illegal betting that comes with the racing as some race organisers are said to offer girls as prizes.

AGAINST such backdrops, anything that is said about enforcing the law and "taking action" must be taken with a pinch of salt. For some reason or the other (political expediency included), our enforcement authorities seem to lack the will and determination to put into effect the powers vested in them.

Just look at what's happening at the KL International Airport (KLIA). The congestion along the arrival terminal is chaotic to say the least despite the presence of policemen. Cars are parked not only on yellow lines, but sometimes double-parked much to the chagrin of law-abiding citizens.

Not withstanding this, we have not been able to put an end to the touting at KLIA – allowing passengers to be harassed on arrival. And all these are taking place in an era where modern technology like closed-circuit television cameras are in place.

While government employees are quick to use their eyes to measure the distance between the knees and the edge of a woman's skirt, they never seem to notice the elephant in the room.
Elsewhere, instead of acting against a group which illegally set up a burger stall in front of a house, the authorities invite other groups to set up a thosai stall. Is this what fair play, justice and equality in the enforcement of the law is all about?

Why delve in the past, you may ask. For too many times and on too many occasions, our officials thump their chests and make proclamations including "We will wipe out corruption". What has been achieved? Have words been matched with deeds? Zilch!

In October 2014, the Road Transport Department's director-general, Datuk Seri Ismail Ahmad, announced that it would conduct a special operation on number plates and the use of strobe lights on vehicles.

The first phase of the operations was supposed to be held for a month while the second would begin on Nov 1. At that time, I wrote: "Hopefully, here again, let us hope that there will be no concession made to anyone including those with prefixes to their names or those with multiple titles."

Hardly had the ink dried, there was an about-turn. Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai in a letter to the RTD directed that the crackdown be postponed until further notice. It was further directed to stop making media statements on the matter.

This is one of the vagaries in our society. One man can dictate which law can be enforced and which cannot. The only reason for this change of policy (which I can guess) is the powerful lobby from business interests.

How and why else can a written law be over-ruled and be made a laughing stock by the diktat of the powers that be. Why then have such a law?

Last week, the police announced a new policy and a crackdown – drivers and motorcyclists caught without a valid driving licence will no longer be let off the hook with mere compound summonses as in the past, but will be hauled to court to face charges for the offence.

According to police statistics, more than 630,000 motorists and motorcyclists were issued summonses for not possessing a driver's licence over the past two years. That's only those who were caught. No one knows the number of people driving or riding on our roads without a licence.

Federal traffic police chief SAC Mahamad Akhir Darus was quoted by theSun as saying that the aim of implementing the new policy was to educate offenders on the dangers of driving without a valid licence.

"A driver or rider without a licence has not undergone formal training or tests. They may not know anything about traffic laws, road signs or defensive driving. Hence, they are not just a danger to other road users but to themselves as well. We intend to send out a strong message that we do not condone the actions of such offenders.

"It is neither to burden them nor to collect revenue. It's to educate them. The police force is an enforcement agency and not one that collects revenue," he said.

Thank you, Tuan. The stand taken by the police should be applauded but will someone atasan (senior) compel you to stop your actions? I don't want to venture an answer but all I can say is that it has happened before and that it can happen again.

R. Nadeswaran says that in many instances, the hands of our enforcement agencies are tied for political pragmatism. Comments: Alamat emel ini dilindungi dari Spambot. Anda perlu hidupkan JavaScript untuk melihatnya.

Resource : The Sun Daily