I had just read the papers this morning. In all honesty, I hope that the whole thing had been exaggerated and sensationalized by the papers, and that what had been reported was nothing close to the truth.
I make it a point never to write about politics, so this is my disclaimer here, that this note has got nothing to do with politics, or any reference to politics or any party whatsoever, and that any innuendos are merely coincidental and not intentional. This note is about public security and personal security. All opinions contained herein are solely my own views, and no offense was intended.
Okay… now that I’ve laid out my disclaimer, I can proceed to talk about public and personal security.
Personal security is becoming almost an unspoken obsession with the rising crime rate and the intensity of violence increasing daily. I thought that I was the only one who looks around constantly to see if anyone’s following me, or comes towards me at a faster than usual speed.
I hear of many friends being victims of snatch thefts, which are becoming more and more rampant, with some sustaining major injuries, and at least some bruises. That has increased our paranoia… to the point that we literally RUN home from our cars, in our desperate attempt to get behind locked doors before the approaching motorbike comes close (dun care whether potential criminal or just an innocent passer-by). Better to be safe than sorry! And now… I hear stories from my friends that the snatch theives are driving cars! They wind down the windows, slash the handbags with parangs (sometimes leaving the victims bleeding profusely), and make off with their loot.
In a recent incident, I had accidentally lost my way and drove into a little enclave with a narrow dead-end road. Children were playing on the streets oblivious to traffic. I tried to honk them as lightly as I could so that they could move out of the way for me to make a u-turn out.
To my horror, as I made a u-turn, and was going towards where I had come from… a group of men surrounded my car, shouting vulgarities and gesturing obscenities with their hands.
What did I do wrong? Were they offended by the little “honk”? Were they offended that I had gone into their territory and had the cheek to “honk” their children?
It was a most terrifying moment for me, as I was a lone woman in the car. I dared not wind down my window to hear what they were yelling, nor did I stop to find out why they were yelling. I was so terrified that they might smash the windscreen or my windows to attack me.
I just did a humble gesture of nodding my head, lowering my eyes, and gesturing “I’m sorry” with my hand.
I guess I know a little of how Karpal Singh felt when he was mobbed… only, he did not have the safety of a car to hide inside.
(Note: I am not saying that I agree or disagree with his statements and actions.)
But I do respect his firm stand on his personal beliefs and issues, and refuse to be intimidated by force, or threats. He knows his legal rights and his legal standings clearly. And he doesn’t change his stand according to popularity or by whims and fancy. We know clearly what he stands for, whether we agree or disagree.
Even the presence of uniformed officers have ceased to be a comfort, with the advent of so many impersonators! How can you tell, if that one is a cop… or NOT??? Or even a GOOD cop… or NOT???
Me… I’m just a scaredy cat.
Then again, cowards get to live another day.
