I relates the above to the incident that CK, my housemate experienced last night (11.12.07 Malaysian time) with the Traffic Police.
Here goes...
CK was on his way back home from work from Johor Bahru. He was stucked in a traffic jam which he later discovered that it was due to faulty traffic lights. Followed the rest of the other road users, he crossed the road junction where the faulty traffic light is.
As soon as he drove pass the junction, he was asked to pulled over by a traffic police. All the other cars which passed in front of him were let go.
After stopping his car at the road side, CK asked the Policeman, "Apa Hal, tuan pengawai?" [What's the matter, officer?]
The policeman replied, "Encik tadi lintas jalan bila lampu isyarat masih merah" "Sila bagi lesen, saya kena bagi saman dan saman bagi kesalahan melintas jalan semasa lampu isyarat masih merah adalah RM300. Rayuan tak akan diterima. Encik boleh bayar saman di balai police yang terdekat" [Just now, you crossed the road when the traffic light is still red. Please show me your driving license and i will write you a traffic compound. The compound for the offense of crossing the road when the light is red is RM300. No appeal will be entertained. You can pay the compound at the police station nearest to you]
While giving his driving license to the policeman, CK protested, "Lampu isyarat itu rosak, tuan" "Kereta-kereta di depan saya ni pun lalu jugak. Kenapa saya pulak ditahan dan disaman?" [Officer, the traffic light is faulty. All the other cars in front of me also drove passed it. Why am I the only one being stopped and given the compound?]
Now, displeased with CK's protest, the policeman raised his tone and said, "Saya nampak dengan mata saya, kamu ni lintas jalan semasa lampu isyarat merah!" [I see with my own eyes, you drove passed the road when the light is still red!]
By now, there were cars building up on the road again.
"Memang betul, lampu isyarat tu rosak. Lampunya hanya merah saja, tak tukar ke lampu hijau langsung" [It is true, the traffic light is not working. It keeps lighting in red, and never turn to green], my housemate was now equally displeased by the policeman disbelief of his words. "Tuan boleh pergi tengok" [Officer, you can go and check it out yourself]
Now, the policeman is really agitated because he knew that my housemate will not succumb to his charge, or to put it correctly, his accusation. This signalled his hope to get some "incentive" from my housemate is not going to be easy.
"Tak, saya nampak kamu langgar undang-undang, saman ni RM300 and rayuan tak dilayan" [No, I saw you break the law. This compound will cost you RM300 and no appeal]
Fortunately, at this time, a car drove up from behind and stopped where the police was and said aloud, "Tuan police, lampu isyarat belakang rosaklah! Saya boleh jadi saksi" [Police Officer, the traffic light at the back is not working! I witness to it]
This car driver, Mr Justice still holding his car in the middle of the road, continued, "Tuan boleh pergi tengok" [You can have a look at it by yourself] and he remain stationary at where he has halted his car.
Now, the policeman realised that he has no choice but to investigate about the traffic light.
Still holding to my housemate's driving license, the policeman reluctantly walked towards the faulty traffic light to confirm the situation by himself. He came back to my housemate later and handed him back his driving license without an apology.
CK said then, "Betulkah lampu isyarat rosak, tuan? Saya sudah memandu lebih daripada 10 tahun, saya bolah kata saya ni tak pernah langgar undang-undang lalulintas" [Officer, isn't it true that the traffic light is faulty? I have been driving for more than 10 years and I can say I never break the traffic laws]
Mixed with embarassment, the policeman was furious and shouted, "Kamu ni Berlagak betul" [You are snobbish indeed] and left CK.
CK quickly thanked Mr Justice and they exchanged mobile numbers before each drove away and left the scene.
