Lack of civility in society a cause for concern
OUR efforts to attain developed nation status should not focus on economic accomplishments alone. It is equally important to include political and social transformation.
I am disgusted when I see the indifference many Malaysians show to the law and norms of social behaviour. It is certainly a disgrace to us as a society that we have such appalling citizens.
Take a walk in a residential area, including one like Bangsar which is an affluent neighbourhood, and you can see dog poop on the roads and lanes. Don’t the owners realise that people might step on the droppings especially at night?
My neighbour’s cat makes it a point to do its business often in my little garden. I was returning home after my walk one morning when I saw the cat sitting on top of my car. No wonder there are scratches all over the car. The owner should keep his/her pet within its compound.
And look at the rubbish strewn in public places. I guess the litterbugs expect the local authority to clean up their mess.
There are youngsters riding motorcycles in residential areas, most of them without safety helmets. Many are students who most likely do not have a motorcycle licence. Where are their parents and do they know their children are riding motorcycles illegally, endangering the safety of others?
And then there are the motorists who intentionally ignore pedestrians crossing at the traffic lights. Recently, two young women on a motorcycle tried to beat the traffic light and just missed hitting me by a few feet. When I yelled out to them, the pillion rider directed a vulgar sign at me. I was horrified at the woman’s conduct towards someone older than her.
Not too long ago, I saw a motorcyclist in Jalan Bangsar getting off his motorcycle at the traffic lights. Using his helmet, he smashed the windscreen of a tourist coach. The driver had honked at him earlier to reproach him for his careless riding. I was shocked at this road rage and thought he needed to be sent for psychiatric therapy.
Follow the traffic rules by driving carefully and you will face the fury of other drivers honking and flashing their light at you because you are holding them up. These people should be charged in court and made to attend psychiatric assessment.
On the LRT/MRT trains, youngsters shamelessly occupy seats reserved for senior citizens, pregnant ladies and people with disabilities. When I reported this to Rapid KL, I was told to just inform these commuters that the seats were reserved. Can’t Rapid KL officers board the trains and advise commuters about these reserved seats?
If at one time we faced the problem of drug addiction, today it is mobile phone obsession. I am aghast when I see people texting while driving. Motorcyclists are also at it, one hand steering the motorcycle and the other on the phone.
Pedestrians too are focused on their phones instead of looking at the traffic.
Who is to be blamed for the lack of civility in our society?
BENEDICT LOPEZ Kuala Lumpur