Little Napoleans in the Market
I hardly go to market with my mum. I used to do so when I was young. I was shocked to witness an incident in the market this morning.
The enforcement officers from MBI came in a truck. I estimated about 9 of them. All in uniform. In the name of carrying out enforcement duties, ensuring there are no unlicensed hawkers or sellers. maybe for the interest of the consumers too.
A few went to the 2 stalls which were set up at the road side. The MBI truck was parked right in front of it.
The few were hanging around at the stalls, one selling kitchenwares and another, watches. One asked questions and the others were looking at the items. One took a “scruber” . The seller took a plastic bag and put the scruber into it. The officer took his wallet from his pocket (back) and before he could open it, the seller handed over the plastic bag and make a signal. The officer just took it.
Then, another, took two items, chopsticks and a “clipper”. This officer did not even need to pull out his wallet.
I was just standing beside the 2 stalls observing how they “carry out” their duties. Another stall sells watches. None of the officer “buy” any, though they made enquiries.
Then, they left.
I asked one of the seller if he has licence. He said yes. Then, I asked how often they come to the market. He said sometimes. I reconfirmed with the seller if the officers paid. He said no. He said, that he would rather just give it to them, if not they would find faults and give them trouble. The kitchen wares he sells is 3 items for RM 5. He said, the items do not cost much. He further said, if they took the money paid by the officers (for the items that the officers buy), next time, they will come and find faults with them.
I was stunned.
My mum asked me if officers can “buy” things when they are on duties. I said, I do not know.
These are the little napoleans. They did it in public. I was standing there observing them. I was not hiding at a corner. They did it in open. I can only conclude that they have already “expected” that they will have such “treatment” if they want to “buy” things. I believe this is not an isolated case.
The small traders in the market (licensed) should not be fearful of them. However, I do understand why they rather give it free to the officers.
What can we do?
Why not you go to them and showing your “concern” directly. I strongly believe that you will create a lot of attention and they will feel the shame. You shouldn’t just observe that incident without doing nothing , you are a MP !!
Comment by MCA Reform — February 4, 2008 @ 2:04 pm
Use a scarecrow. Enquire with the MBI director of enforcement. He would most probably deny such things happen.
After that, print large posters with his picture and a picture of a digital camera with the caption under it “Anda diperhatikan”. It would serve as a warning to all.
This would probably work for awhile before they get immune to it. Then it’s time to really take discrete photos of the enforcement officers and put it on the internet.
Comment by luxen — February 11, 2008 @ 2:07 pm
The people have to be educated that if they are following the law they should not be afraid.
as the MB i think you owe it to the people to help them shake off this inferior behavior.
you should give them the confident that you will stand by them if they are wronged by the authorities.
majlis bandaraya is there to serve the people not victimized them and from the feedback from these hawkers they must have felt victimized.
if the people dont stand up to do the right thing they are going to be forever be the victim and i believe you as the MP must help spread this message.
it is becos of this kind of timid behavior from the rakyat that our government agencies wrongly think they are superior when in actual fact they are the rakyat servants.
pls - educate the people. make them stand up and speak up if they felt wronged. if they dont do that they are doing a disservice to the whole community - not only to themselves.
Comment by Brian Fong — February 13, 2008 @ 6:03 pm
To MCA Reform,
As I understand it, Po Kuan had to clarify with the seller whether he had license and whether the officer had paid.
Comment by kadir — February 15, 2008 @ 6:48 pm
YB Fong,
If the seller gave it to the Little Napoleans, the sellers can be construed to be offering a bribe. Please tell them that. Help educate them.
Comment by Richard — February 18, 2008 @ 12:01 pm
Dear YB Fong,
I am a loyal DAP supporter since my school days 30 years ago till now where I am 42 year old. I had sent out more than 150 SMS to my relatives and friends over the last 2 days, urging them to support the opposition especially DAP. I had even translated a SMS written in Chinese to the following : “TO ALL MY CONSCIENTIOUS RELATIVES AND FRIENDS, HOW MUCH MONEY WILL AFEECT YOU?? RM20 MILLIONS?? BETRAYING 6 MILLIONS CHINESE NATION-WIDE JUST SIMPLY FOR THE RM20 MILLIONS GOODIES?? ONLY MCA ALONE IS PROUD OF UMNO’S SUCH TRIVIAL GOODIES. TOO CHEAP! THE CHINESE PAID 80% OF TAX BUT ONLY GETS MERELY 3% OF MONETARY CONTRIBUTION FOR THE EDUCATION OF ONLY 21% OF THE CHIENESE PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS. SHIFTING CHINESE PRIMARY SCHOOL & THE MERE RM20 MILLIONS GOODIES ARE SIMPLY BECAUSE THE GENERAL ELECTION IS APPROACHING. THE MIS-USE OF RM46 BILLIONS IN PORT KLANG NORTH PORT COULD BE USED TO BUILD HOW MANY CHINESE PRIMARY SCHOOL?? HAVE YOU EVER CALCULATED?? YOU CAN BUILD 460 SCHOOLS EVEN IF EACH SCHOOL COSTS RM10 MILLIONS. VOTE FOR THE OPPOSITION TO STOP THE CONTINUED HARASSMENT, PLEASE CIRCULATE THIS SMS TO OTHERS”. I sent this SMS to all my English educated friends who could not read r=text written in Chinese. I also sent this SMS to my Indian friends who married to Chinese. Early this morning, I received many phone calls from my relatives and friends, expressing their extreme disappointment on your decision not to contest for Batu Gajah Parliamentary constituency in the coming general election. We, all of the loyal DAP supporters are strongly of the opinion that the citizens need your services to fight for the rights and the fair treatment, especially for the non-Malays. We are strongly of the opinion that your withdrawal at this critical moment a few days prior to the general election will definitely destroy the morale of DAP in particular, the morale of the loyal DAP supporters who love DAP and would like to see DAP fight for betterment for the nation in general, and most importantly, WILL DESTROY A VERY HIGH POSSIBILITY OF DAP HAVING A SWIFT VICTORY in the coming general election. YB Fong, please stand up and contest for the Batu Gajah Parliamentary constituency, the nation needs your services.
Comment by C P Tew — February 18, 2008 @ 7:30 pm
ever since i was as young as on primary school,i noticed the DBKL enforcement team and PDRM were taking away durians from the road-side hawkers!
Our BN led gomen just closing their eyes like blind!it’s a grand-mother story alredy!
Comment by ray — February 19, 2008 @ 10:04 pm
To Brian Fong and Richard,
I think you two are living in a dream world, everything is perfect. For whatever you two said, it is easier to say then done. You think the concerned hawkers don’t know that it can be construed to be offering bribe? Like the Chinese saying goes “onc have hair would not like to be bald”. You two are not hawkers and do not have to go through all these problems, you don’t have to face the enforcement officers. Wait till one day if become a hawker then only you will realise what actual life is.
Comment by Chiang Teck Yee — February 19, 2008 @ 11:15 pm
To MCA Reform,
It is easier said than done. If you’re in the position is that exactly you will do? I doubt it; without further clarifications like YB Fong did. What’s the point of creating attentions there? If you do what would the seller admit that they’re bribing the enforcer?
Just to share here. I personally witness in a few occasions; in an operation the enforcer was targeting only ‘certain group’. I need not mention here but the reality is they are ‘closing one eye’ (Bias) to the other group. I heard they said, “Cepat pergi, operasi!” before the storm the place. This is like ‘Tonto’ in the Lone Ranger series.
At lease, YB Fong shared her encounter of such ‘little Napoleans’.
Independent
Comment by Independent — February 20, 2008 @ 8:55 am
It seem that this kind of scenario happen for the past 3o years at least (since I am kid) and it still happen today. It is much to do with Chinese people mentality, which always think that it is better to have less trouble then the few riggit gift. But I would say this should be the first generation Chinaman mentality like my father generation. Agree with Ric that people need to be educate on their right. I watch the HK channel, there are many short ads which educate people of their right or anything that they need to be watch out or becareful of. Such as one recently I watched, they wanted the HK sales person to improve the service quality, where when they sell their product, they should be explain more on the feature of the product. So they actually do the take 2, one with less info and another one with more info. Also they will get famous actor, Andy Lau to support the act.
Have you ever seen this ad in TV in Malaysia? For me at least not.
Comment by dannysao — February 20, 2008 @ 10:03 am
I guess the seller are worried of the repercussion, if I were in their shoes, I will do the same.
Comment by Concerned Citizen — February 20, 2008 @ 10:42 am
What can we do? I will vote the evils out. You? What did u do on Sunday?
Comment by anonymous — February 20, 2008 @ 2:57 pm
stay with dap
Comment by voter — February 21, 2008 @ 2:17 am
I guess, it is time to show them some color by using the vote in your hand.
Comment by Time to change — February 23, 2008 @ 12:09 am
Po Kuan you did the rightful and blessed decision. Po Kuan “‘wan Sui” DAP “wan sui” God bless you all
Comment by thomas Wong Sandakan Sabah — February 23, 2008 @ 5:16 pm
Me and all the people in my Church (Ipoh Gdn) will pray for your & DAP successes.
Comment by John Pah — February 24, 2008 @ 3:44 pm
Me and all the people in my Church (Ipoh Gdn) will pray for your & DAP successes.
Comment by John Pah — February 24, 2008 @ 3:47 pm
my friend’s mother story more horrible than this.she is a kuey tiao hawker in seremban and she always giving “coffee money” to policemen monthly without any reason.My friend ask her mom why she doing like that and her mom give the answer-just because they’re policemen!God!i just don’t understand why small place peoples so scare to goverment officers from any department!
Comment by keel wong — February 25, 2008 @ 2:56 am
I believe that these incidents happen all over the country.
Kuala Lumpur is especially vulnerable because those in charge have 100% freedom to do what they like.
There is no such thing as councillors here, only some advisors! You can be sure that these people are also people with all sorts of titles and are beholden to the BN.
Just imagine, even those areas with councillors have so much problems; those with advisors are far worse.
I’m not surprised that the DBKL treat them like so much dirt!
The only way to solve such problems is that we have honest folks running the show. In fact, a handful of such people can act as a nucleus to show these corrupt officers what honesty is all about.
What we need is really a few honest men and women with integrity, as a start.
Voting out more BN MPs will certainly help!
Comment by Damocles — February 25, 2008 @ 1:27 pm
I am sure even if you were stood up and go to show your concern to them,you can only manage to handle that case with thousand difficulty! Actually not only Rakyat need to be educated of their “right”,but most important is that how to ensure the enforcement dept.(like ICAC HK)to function. We need the enforcement dept. to act and function the right things such as going on to checking the MBI,etc dept. by automatic basis but not only if somebody reported rapidly.
Anyway,your voice for the Rakyat is very appreciated,keep it on.
Comment by Shin Yong — February 25, 2008 @ 2:47 pm