Bribes

This letter to the editor was published in the Star of 27th August 2007.

"Don’t resort to bribery when caught

AN SMS published in The Star on Aug 24 caught my attention. “D figure dat 40% of policemen r corrupt is 2 modest. I am an old man n i’ve never met a policeman who refuses 2 selesai.”

Let's go back to the root cause of bribery and corruption, and how we, the people on the street, contribute to it.

If we obey traffic laws, will the police stop us and issue a summons?

If we follow the law, wear a seat belt, obey the traffic lights, do not use the handphone while driving, do not jump queue, do not speed, and have a valid driving licence and road tax, there will be no reason for the police to issue us summonses.

To those who are stopped for flouting traffic rules, please just accept the summons (because you did wrong), and go pay at the police station.

But most people choose to selesai because they want to save money and time.

Bribing the police when we are at fault and then accusing the police of being corrupt is not the right thing to do.

I suggest that those who keep getting summons, and find it hard to obey traffic rules and laws, stop driving. Either you employ a good driver or use a cab.

I OBEY TRAFFIC RULES,

Kuala Lumpur."

This point of view assumes that we did break the law. But sometimes, don't doubts creep in questioning why we were detained? We have come to a point when the sight of the man in blue conjures images of detention in a jail or at least the dreaded track to the nearest police station.

The man in blue do not represent those who are there to help us in our times of need but someone who wants to take advantage of our misfortunes. There have been countless tales of the callous attitude of those wearing that uniform.

This might be a generalisation, but that is the prevalent feel we have about the entire force. A sad truth.