YOURSAY | ‘They should apologise to all of us - everybody, every day.’

Works Dept apologises after pothole causes minister's cycling mishap

GreenViper4010: I have read the comments in Malaysiakini and find the majority of them to be negative, unfortunately.

I believe the commentators are making a kneejerk reaction and fail to understand the gravity and importance of what Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has achieved, and what this episode should teach us mere ‘pembayar cukai’ (taxpayers), who inhabit and struggle in this magical kingdom.

As has been handed down by oral tradition for centuries, to choose to travel on a Malaysian public road on a bicycle is not to be undertaken lightly, and requires a feat of singular courage and endurance.

Khairy, a graduate of Oxford University, was surely well aware of the existence of potholes, and the consequent dangers facing him when he began his journey, and yet he decided to proceed undaunted. His fearless courage in doing so is worthy of inclusion in the pantheon of the Malay warrior tradition, alongside the likes of Hang Tuah, Mat Kilau and Maharajahlela.

His wounds (images somehow uploaded on social media) are badges of courage which shine a pathway (to avoid potholes) for the Malaysian youth of today, sadly bereft of leadership, principle and good roads.

Potholes are the physical manifestation of Satan, sent through his earthly avatar, the evil DAP, to derail the honest efforts (i.e. cars and bikes) of all of us, not only rulers and YBs, but of every Ali, Ah Kau and Muthu, on our individual life journeys in search of cash donations or a simple nasi lemak.

By risking his own life, Khairy has provided a shining example that any member of our society can overcome these vicious satanic obstacles, through perseverance, prayer and an iPhone. Don't his detractors realise the potholes exist everywhere in our world (i.e. Selangor), and it is the duty of every Malay warrior to take up the struggle, get on their bike, and defeat DAP?

The magnitude of his sacrifice and pain have even caused the mighty JKR (Public Works Department) to tremble in its fortress. Apologies have rained down in the thousands, a tribute to the strength and power of Khairy's undaunted quest.

It has been heard on the rainbow peaks that future generations of the JKR will toil in all eternity to fill in the potholes of Selangor. Thus, the power of Great Khairy's feat.

So, think again, you naysayers and critics. We have been blessed by this event, sent as an allegory, to illustrate man's continuing struggle to overcome the DAP potholes of Selangor, and one man's example of courage in bringing this gift to fruition for each one of us ‘pembayar cukai’.

PKC: A VIP had a minor accident due to some potholes and immediately JKR apologised and "will take immediate action". What happened to the case where a serviceman who rode his bike and hit a flooded pothole at Jalan Kuching and died?

This is typical government mentality. While there are some who really work hard and try to make a difference, most are just clocking in and "makan gaji buta".

YellowIguana8808: Many years ago, my brother-in-law hit a pothole in Kulim, Kedah during a raining season as the pothole was covered with water and he could not see it.

He was hospitalised and passed away a week later due to head injuries. The following day the pothole was immediately repaired, possibly to avoid being sued.

The End Is Ending: Since JKR has apologised, can we legally take it as acceptance of guilt and retrospectively sue them for all the injuries, death and damage caused to body and vehicles?

Somebody must ajar (teach) this government and politicians that they are public servants and liable for the damage caused.

Oriole: A very telling story of the servitude of the Public Works Department. Only when a minister has a cycling fall, they kick into action and issue an apology.

Khairy, drive around parts of the Klang Valley and the rest of the country, so that ratepayers can get some service from this department.

Roads are full of potholes. Crony contractors making money while using substandard materials on these roads.

Go to the more depressed areas where people do not carry titles and such, where there is urban poverty and you will see people living in terrible conditions, broken drain covers, huge potholes in roads, etc.

The civil service is neither civil nor a service in these areas.

Beman: Some years when I visited Ipoh, a friend showed me one part stretch of road that was well maintained. That was the road where a VIP lived. I don't want to mention names here.

It was as if all the road taxes paid by Ipoh residents went to that road.

XoXo: The potholes are only one of the many reflections of the true state of affairs in the country today. They are the road signs pointing to the direction of a third world country and a failed state.

Potholes on roads have been the bane of the public daily, but the fact that our high and mighty politicians are now not spare just goes to show how much more these potholes have proliferated.

If this is not a clear sign of where the country is heading, then what is?

Hang Babeuf: They should apologise to all of us - everybody, every day. Special treatment here. No more VVIP rubbish, please.

XED: If the cabinet minister has any honour, he should condemn the sycophants who apologised and promised immediate action only because he, a cabinet minister, was the victim.

They have no regard for ordinary people. Clearly, politicians (how many of them show class?) and their bootlicking low-class minions in Malaysia have caused much of the hardship suffered by the people.

When the heroic Australian POW (prisoner of war) doctor, Sir Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop, died in Melbourne some years ago, the cabinet ministers who attended the funeral service were relegated to the back rows in the church while the hero’s surviving chums from the Japanese prison camps, who were the real VIPs, sat in the front row.

Mat Public: Good to see a Malaysian minister in close contact with the ground. They should do it more often.

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