Raya rush raises concerns over rogue roadside enforcers

 

RAYA IS approaching and that means a good deal of travelling for our fellow Muslims as they return to their hometown.

So it comes as no surprise that people would wish each other safe travels since a lot of people will hit the roads.

But more than just accidents, there are ample predators on the road too. And they come in the form of police officers who are searching for a way to make a quick buck by penalising the traffic users.

This is no longer news, but a recent story caught quite the attention on the cyberspace for its novelty.

In a post on Facebook, SG Breaking News announced that a man was allegedly told to pay RM2,000 by a traffic police officer after being stopped while driving along an expressway in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

According to the man’s wife, he initially believed the stop was a routine check and complied when the officer asked to see his phone. 

“The officer allegedly discovered a record showing that he had purchased a “4D” lottery ticket, which can be illegal in Malaysia if bought through unofficial channels,” it said.

The officer then demanded RM1,000 per person, totalling RM2,000, to avoid taking him to the police station. Shocked by the request and without cash on hand, the husband contacted his wife for help.

The woman said she later spoke to the officer and negotiated the amount down to RM200 each, or RM400 in total. 

She then transferred the money to her husband, who withdrew it from an ATM and handed it over.

What’s interesting in this story is the fact that the police officer checked the husband’s phone to initiate the blackmail.

Many netizens were also quick to point this out, stating that officers have no right to be looking into anyone’s phone.

Take it from netizen Danny, who said they can check it at the police station. Danny further added that people should protect themselves by installing dashcams with voice recorders for safety purposes.

A law-abiding Martyn Grange also pointed out that people should just ask for the summons instead of negotiating with the officer for a bribe.

Then there was Karen Lily exclaiming that the lady just openly declared that she tried to bribe the police.

Spooked by the story, Tom Drury said he will be very careful for the next one week, with all the hungry police officers lurking about trying to score some “Duit Raya.”

But perhaps the best comment came from Tiga Rasa who highlighted the few circumstances where an officer is allowed to check a person’s phone:

By the end of the day, it all boils down to us traffic users knowing our rights. FOCUS Malaysia wishes all our Muslim readers a very Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Stay safe on the road and always remember that it is always best to reach your loved ones safely instead of quickly. And also, don’t let any dirty cops look into your phone. — Focus Malaysia