Of outriders and resentment

 

We’ve now seen more than one video showing what appears to be ambulances being stopped on the road, essentially to give way to VIP convoys.

The response on the internet has been understandably angry. Many argue the convenience of a VIP should not be prioritised over someone’s life or even health.

Some were quick to draw comparisons to other heads of state, noting instances where the motorcade convoys of the President of Indonesia and even the revered Emperor of Japan have been seen making way for ambulances.

Not so very long ago, the Emperor of Japan was essentially worshipped as a living god.

If even someone of that status has to make way for an ambulance, what exactly is the status of our own VIPs, for whom ambulances make way?

The gap between a ‘VIP’ and a ‘normal’ Malaysian is a huge recurring theme for us. In recent years, politicians and celebrities have come under fire for not being punished the same way as normal Malaysians when they run afoul of MCO rules.

The commonly used Malay phrase was “antara dua darjat”, and an English equivalent might be the preponderance of double standards.

Politicians should experience what we do

Transport is an area that touches just about everyone’s life. Everybody has to get from Point A to Point B at some point.

It’s just that the ease for different classes of Malaysians with which they get from Point A to Point B does seem to vary greatly.

The least fortunate have to take some form or another of Malaysia’s relatively underdeveloped public transport; the middle class in urban centres have to endure our famous traffic jams (if the city has not been flooded into oblivion); and the highest class literally have the roads cleared for their personal use.

In contrast, in countries like Sweden, the UK, France, India, and Thailand, ministers and politicians take public transport all the time. Here, it’s only done as a photo op, if at all.

The reason these habits are popular is that they signal a nation’s leaders are in touch with what normal citizens have to go through on a daily basis.

How can one appreciate those problems or formulate a good policy without first-hand experience?

If your daily commute is cleared by outriders every day, surely you’d have severely reduced motivation to work on how to reduce traffic jams.

If you have never suffered trying to squeeze into a crowded train that stopped an hour’s walk from where you actually live, then what do you care about public transport?

In short: Why work to solve a problem that you have never personally experienced? And even if you wanted to, how could you, if you don’t properly understand it?

Breeding resentment

I think the other thing about using outriders that tends to put people off is the vibe of ostentatiousness and self-grandiosity.

I think, for politicians in par,ticular, this really is a self-defeating practice. I think very few road users watch a convoy go by and think to themselves, “There go these great people, I’m so happy I can make way for these great leaders.

I don’t know about you, but I suspect more people think along the lines of “This is extremely annoying.”

I would go so far as to say that, at least nine times out of 10, outriders clearing roads breed resentment. Is that really something politicians want voters to feel about them?

We are likely well past the days when looking like you are ‘above’ the people may have filled some self-serving political goals. Today, it surely does more harm than good, no?

Need to get somewhere fast? Leave on time. Can’t stand traffic jams? Who better than you to do something to fix them!

Outriders clearing the road only exacerbate the sentiment that political elites constantly rig the game so that there’s one set of rules for them and another for the rest of us.

Leaders who want to communicate they are down to earth, understand the struggle of common citizens and are fighting together with us instead of ruling over us, should consider doing away with road-clearing outriders completely.

Prioritise life

By all means, travel with whatever security is necessary. Buy as much bulletproof glass as you want. But go through each road like any other person.

Such a small thing can go such a long way in reversing this ever-growing divide between those who govern and those who are governed.

It would be a greatly appreciated show of solidarity, that will surely win points for the leaders from voters - and for good reason.

And if politicians just can’t bear to part with their precious outriders, then, at the very least, please change your policy to always give way to ambulances.

No more strange, illogical excuses - just always prioritise the health and lives of those who put you in power. Surely that’s not too much to ask? - Mkini

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NATHANIEL TAN works with Projek #BangsaMalaysia. Twitter: @NatAsasi, Email: nat@engage.my. #BangsaMalaysia #NextGenDemocracy.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.