July 13, 2004
Of Spiderman and Policeman
Pardon me for this late entry. That the only Internet access I have is in the INTEC UiTM computer lab which closes at 4.30 every weekday prevents me to post entries in a frequent basis. I am well aware that this problem might lead to adverse conditions. Yeah, why having a blog that does not really depict my everyday life? I think I need a laptop or something..*hint, hint*:)
Well, last weekend Alvin invited me to stay overnight at his house in PJ. I was to meet him at Mid Valley to catch 'Spiderman 2' before going to his home. However, the crowd at GSC was so overwhelming that all ticket counters were congested and EVERY SINGLE show until 8pm was fully booked! My god! And I thought that 18 cinemas were enough to cater to everybody. Apparently not. In the end, we made our way to Amcorp Mall and managed to catch Spidey in action.
'Spiderman 2' sure lives up to all the hypes and expectations imposed. The plot, the new costume, the action... everything is superb. Sam Raimi sure did his homework diligently before making the movie. I really pity Peter Parker at the beginning part of the movie where he had to struggle to balance his job as a pizza-boy and a photographer, his obligations as a student and of course, his responsibility to save the world. Such a heroic yet sympathetic guy. Half way through, he buckled under pressure and stopped being the hero ('I'm Spiderman no more!'). Life suddenly turned better for Peter but his conscience bugged him..well, I think everyone in the whole world knows the story by now. But I was really shocked that MJ found out Spidey's identity so soon (not to mention Harry Osbourne and the people on the train). I think that spoils Spiderman's enigmity which was kept intact in comics and TV cartoon series.
On the way back home, Alvin told me a story that I want to highlight here. The story goes like this:
Some time last year, Alvin made an illegal U-turn while driving in downtown. Two policemen stopped him.
Policeman 1: Adik, IC dan lesen..
(IC and licence handed over)
Policeman 1: Adik buat U-turn di tempat larangan U-turn tadi. Dah langgar undang-undang lalulintas ni! Kesalahan ni kena denda RM250 tau? Nanti kena demerit jugak, lesen P ditarik balik!
Alvin: (panicking) Yakah...?
Policeman 1: Jadi... adik mau bayar berapa?
Alvin: (confused) Huh? Nanti saya panggil ayah langsaikan RM 250 itu.
Policeman 1: Tak payah... Adik mau bayar berapa?
Alvin: (understood) Encik, saya hanya pelajar biasa sahaja.. tak ada banyak wang..(taking out his wallet and showing the policeman the contents)
Policeman 1: (startled)Jangan! Adik jangan tunjukkan dompet.. Saya tak suruh pun!(looking up and down the road attentively)Sila tunggu sebentar!
Policeman 1 went back to his car where he talked to policeman 2. Then he came back with a log book. He looked at Alvin's car registration no. and scribbled something on the book. He went to the back and scribbled more. Then he passed the book to Alvin.
Policeman 1: Letak kat dalam.
The book was empty. Bewildered, Alvin placed RM20 in it and handed the book back .
Policeman 1: Apa? begitu sikit?
Alvin: Maaf lah, saya cuma ada begitu banyak sahaja..
Policeman 1: (contemplating for a while) Ok, Ok.(Walked away)
I believe this is just one example of the bribery cases that are proliferating among our police force. I don't dare to say that most of the cases are initiated by the respectable policemen themselves but my friend's case is. I didn't mean to denigrate my friend Alvin for giving the bribe. My point is why did the law enforcers instigate such deplorable acts? The credibility and accountability of the whole police force is at stake here. I gathered that police constables get RM690 for their monthly salary. Is meagre pay one of the reason?
Posted by peixin at July 13, 2004 12:47 PM
Comments
lol... I don't mind giving you my laptop and getting a brand new one in the process :)
A similar incident happened to my friend; she was driving while talking on the phone and was stopped by some policemen. They were willing to let her go provided she, uh hmm, willingly spared a few change. Little wonder our law enforcers are neither "mesra dan cepat" in the eyes of Malaysians.
Posted by: zx at July 13, 2004 04:52 PM
Ehem... The story you wrote is not quite accurate. The figures are incorrect, the chronology is also not right. Perhaps you should take notes wherever you go... hehe...
Posted by: Durian at July 15, 2004 01:59 PM