Put a stop to 'discount culture'

 

My friend was caught using his handphone while driving the other day. He was not compounded on the spot but instead was asked to attend court.

He tried reasoning with the authorities, explaining to them that he merely picked up his handphone to check on his GPS setting during a traffic jam when his car was idle.

However, he failed in his attempt and was fined RM1,000 in a magistrate’s court.

Apparently, motorists are not even allowed to place their handphones on their lap, tap on the screen, or adjust the holder of their mounted handphones while driving.

In fact, motorists are also not allowed to pick up their handphones while waiting at a red light.

If found guilty, those charged can be fined up to RM1,000 or sentenced to a maximum three month’s jail.

Repeat offenders face stiffer penalties – second-time offenders can be fined up to RM2,000 and third-time offenders, RM3,000.

My friend admitted his guilt and paid his fine with no qualms. He did so not because RM1,000 was a small fine for him or because he has a money tree growing in his backyard.

He is a full-time hustler and a part-time student – and the thousand bucks which he paid was equivalent to three months of his car instalments.

My friend is a man who respects the law and tries his best to abide by it. Even when he receives summonses for compoundable traffic offences, he clears them within the month itself. For him, it is a matter of principle.

I respect my friend and the principle he stands for. I resonate with it very much. Like him, I too pay all my summonses as quickly as possible. Being in debt does not give me sound sleep at night.

Unfortunately, both of us represent just a percentage of Malaysians. Unlike us, many Malaysians celebrate knowing they can postpone paying off whatever that is owed, indefinitely.

And they get excited, especially knowing there will be a lucrative discount waiting for them when they finally settle the fine.

Selective enforcement

While motorists like my friend are given stiff penalties, it is mind-boggling to note that many others who commit various traffic offences are offered discounts to settle their fines.

Every traffic violation - compoundable and non-compoundable - can pose serious risks to the safety of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. That is the reason they are included in the list of traffic offences in the first place. Why then do we practise selective enforcement?

Perhaps this is a question that should be imposed on our Madani government which not only allows such selective enforcement but also supports the ‘discount culture’.

Recently, in conjunction with the ‘One Year with the Madani Government’ programme at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) offered a 50 percent reduction for selected compound traffic summonses.

Clearly, this ‘discount culture’ has been a part of Malaysian tradition for a very long time. With discounts of up to 80 percent at times, we have seen crowds of lawbreakers gathering at police stations and payment centres, taking advantage of the discounts.

They seem no different than shoppers taking advantage of discounts during festivities.

Sadly, this does nothing to discipline motorists, nor does it improve road safety. In fact, this culture only results in motorists continuing to disrespect the law.

One mega question begging to be answered is, why then do we give discounts?

Who do the discounts reward?

Year after year, motorists continue to violate traffic regulations. They are not bothered by the traffic summonses issued by the authorities.

And year after year, our authorities continue to offer discounts, persuading motorists to settle their summonses at a discounted price.

Why? Because they need the revenue. Because they need to clear the backlog of unpaid summonses.

In other words, these discounts help the authorities.

But how about the safety of the road users? How about spreading awareness and changing the attitudes of motorists?

Shouldn’t the Madani government which promised good governance be the first to press the brakes on this ‘discount culture’?

Shouldn’t Anwar’s new vision for a reformed Malaysia include a zero-tolerance policy for lawbreakers?

After all, if you break the law, you need to pay the price – not the discounted price.

Zero tolerance policy

Malaysians should learn to take responsibility for their actions.

Good motorists should be commended. Bad motorists should be punished.

No offenders should be allowed to enjoy discounts – not even those who settle their summonses on time.

Those with low income and unable to pay their traffic summons should learn to become good motorists - and avoid having to pay the fines altogether.

Instead of enticing offenders to pay their fines through discounts, authorities should entice them with possible arrest warrants.

Lastly, the Madani government should stop trying too hard to win the people’s hearts and approval. Instead of organising ‘carnivals’ to celebrate one year in administration, have the guts to start running the country like it should be run. - Mkini

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FA ABDUL is a multi-award-winning playwright and director in the local performing arts scene, a published author, television scriptwriter, media trainer, and mother. Her ultimate mission in life is to live out of a small suitcase.

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