Break the law and get rewarded with discounts

 

Some of us are not speedsters on the road but surely we have been caught a few times for breaking the speed limit on the highway. Similarly, with mobile phones: as much as we don’t want to use them while driving, we fall victim to circumstances and end up being booked.

Many law-abiding Malaysians that I know do settle their summonses promptly. Some check their status regularly to see if there are any outstanding summonses to ensure their slate is clean.

There must be thousands of others like them. But how are such law-abiding citizens rewarded for being exemplary Malaysians? They get zilch! These Malaysians must be hopping mad each time discounts are offered, as much as a huge 80% reward this time for being an incorrigible traffic summons defaulter.

Can you believe that this is being done in the name of promoting Keluarga Malaysia? It makes one wonder if this move is to please the recalcitrant motorists to try and get their votes for the next general election expected some time next year. Well, you will never know when it comes to Malaysian politicians.

Yes, one motorist who owed a total of about RM2,000 in compounds for traffic offences paid only RM400, saving a cool RM1,600 in the name of Keluarga Malaysia aspirations. Now that is huge, especially during this difficult time of Covid-19.

The good side of the Malaysian family “gathering” of summons payers was that it saw a united Malaysia. People of all races thronged the centre apparently but it was not because they loved being there. While the government expected about 20,000 to turn up, the number shot to 120,000 probably because of the offer of discounts.

But there is a downside, the biggest factor being the possibility of such gatherings turning into a Covid-19 superspreader event. Pictures and video clips of the event show that no one seemed to care as long as they could save their money.

Such discounts may encourage Malaysians to just break the law and wait for a reward. There are some motorists openly declaring on social media that they will not settle their summonses promptly because the authorities will offer discounts one day.

It’s the same with the government’s move to offer discounts of between 10% and 15% for the repayment of PTPTN loans. Many feel that those who pay diligently are being victimised while those who are tardy are being rewarded.

Many local authorities also resort to offering discounts to those who have outstanding assessment fees.

It has now become a culture of the Malaysian family to wait for discounts before settling their dues or fines.

Why don’t the authorities give 80% discounts to those settling payments within two weeks, 60% within a month and 30% for those paying in two months instead?

The others do not deserve any discount whatsoever for their “tidak apa” attitudes. Instead they should be penalised for their indolence and disrespect for the rule of law. - FMT

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.