TRAFFIC SUMMONS (PART II)
On the way back from Kuala Kangsar, I decided to take the old trunk road going through Sungei Siput. Exiting from the town I was in an unfamiliar part of the country and was following the signboards to the Plus Highway. The signboard indicates left turn to join the highway. The trouble was, there are so many junctions before the actual turn and I turned one junction too soon only to realize it was the wrong one. To cut the story short, I was stuck in mid lane at a traffic light. And as luck would have it, up came a fat moustachioed traffic cop on a bike behind me. He stopped behind me, and I knew I had it this time. Sure enough I was told to pull to the side after the lights turned green.
I winded down the window as he came up to me.
Cop: “Tunjuk lesen.” (I showed him my driving license.)
Cop: “Tahu kah ini kesalahan denda berat.”
Me: “I nak balik KL lah. Ini papan tanda arahan salah....I pusing terlalu
I winded down the window as he came up to me.
Cop: “Tunjuk lesen.” (I showed him my driving license.)
Cop: “Tahu kah ini kesalahan denda berat.”
Me: “I nak balik KL lah. Ini papan tanda arahan salah....I pusing terlalu
awal ..... kena pusing balik.”
Cop: “Ini compaun mahal…. Mahu saya tulis…?”
Me: “Sekarang masih Hari Raya lah… tak payah tulis .. boleh selesai..”
Me: (After digging into my purse)… “ 20 ringgit”.
Cop: “OK, masuk duit dalam buku compaun ini...tak nak orang tengok”
(He passed the traffic summon booklet through the window. I put the money in and the matter was settled – the Malaysian way :)…..
I remember years back when our driving licenses were in a booklet form
and it was a common practice then to keep some cash inside. So when you are caught, the cop just pretends to check your license, keep the cash and wave you on….. no words needed.
There are people who say it is against their principles to bribe and perpetuate corruption. I agree wholeheartedly and applaud their actions. Years ago I was equally adamant on the issue of paying kopi money. I still remember my trips to the out of the way places to pay those summonses and my traffic court case with numerous postponements just to wear you down. It just got too tiring after a while… so you opt for the illegal…. but convenient out.
2 November 2007
Cop: “Ini compaun mahal…. Mahu saya tulis…?”
Me: “Sekarang masih Hari Raya lah… tak payah tulis .. boleh selesai..”
Me: (After digging into my purse)… “ 20 ringgit”.
Cop: “OK, masuk duit dalam buku compaun ini...tak nak orang tengok”
(He passed the traffic summon booklet through the window. I put the money in and the matter was settled – the Malaysian way :)…..
I remember years back when our driving licenses were in a booklet form
and it was a common practice then to keep some cash inside. So when you are caught, the cop just pretends to check your license, keep the cash and wave you on….. no words needed.
There are people who say it is against their principles to bribe and perpetuate corruption. I agree wholeheartedly and applaud their actions. Years ago I was equally adamant on the issue of paying kopi money. I still remember my trips to the out of the way places to pay those summonses and my traffic court case with numerous postponements just to wear you down. It just got too tiring after a while… so you opt for the illegal…. but convenient out.
2 November 2007
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