TALI PINGGANG KELEDAR; NAK DIDIK ATAU NAK SAMAN?
Oleh: Khairul Faizi bin Ahmad Kamil
Hari ini saya terpanggil untuk menyuarakan sedikit pandangan berkenaan isu saman yang dikenakan terhadap penumpang bas ekspres yang tidak memakai tali pinggang keledar sejak dari hari pertama penguatkuasaan peraturan baharu ini. Ya, hari pertama terus kena saman. Tentunya mereka yang disaman terkedu dengan saman yang mereka terima pada hari pertama penguatkuasaan memakai tali pinggang keledar dilaksanakan.
Saya tidak menolak kepentingan keselamatan. Malah, saya setuju bahawa memakai tali pinggang keledar, termasuk di tempat duduk belakang, memang boleh menyelamatkan nyawa seperti mana yang telah saya nyatakan pada 1 Julai yang lalu. Tapi, persoalan saya, perlukah terus saman pada hari pertama?
Penguatkuasaan undang-undang ini, pada saya, bukan soal siapa cepat kena tapi lebih kepada nak ajar, nak didik dan nak sedarkan rakyat. Kalau kita terus hukum tanpa beri peluang orang faham, tanpa beri masa untuk sesuaikan diri, maka apa mesej yang kita nak sampaikan? Undang-undang ini nak selamatkan rakyat, bukan nak "tembak curi" mereka dengan saman.
Ramai orang termasuk warga emas, pelancong, penumpang kali pertama mungkin belum tahu pun yang tali pinggang keledar dalam bas dah wajib pakai. Ada yang naik bas pun tak tahu kat mana tali pinggang tu tersorok. Jadi, adilkah kita terus kenakan saman?
Saya nak cadangkan 3 perkara mudah:
1. Beri tempoh peralihan 1 hingga 3 bulan sebagai masa untuk beri penerangan dan tingkatkan kesedaran.
2. Guna amaran dulu, beri notis lisan atau bertulis, bukan saman dulu.
3. Pastikan semua bas memang lengkap dengan tali pinggang dan arahan jelas, jangan nanti penumpang dah nak patuh, tapi prasarana pula belum sedia.
Keselamatan jalan raya memang tanggungjawab bersama, tapi jangan sampai rakyat rasa undang-undang ini lebih menghukum dari mendidik. Kita perlu lebih berperikemanusiaan, lebih mendekati rakyat dan lebih rasional dalam setiap pelaksanaan.
Sekian. Terima kasih.
KFAK
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SEATBELTS: TO EDUCATE OR TO PENALISE?
By: Khairul Faizi bin Ahmad Kamil
Today, I feel compelled to share some thoughts regarding the issue of passengers in express buses being fined for not wearing seatbelts on the very first day of this new regulation’s enforcement. Yes, fined on day one. Naturally, many of those fined were left stunned by the sudden enforcement of the rule requiring seatbelts to be worn in the back seats.
Let me be clear, I do not deny the importance of road safety. In fact, I fully agree that wearing seatbelts, including for backseat passengers, can indeed save lives, as I have stated on 1 July. But my question is this, was it really necessary to issue summonses on the very first day?
To me, enforcement of any law shouldn’t be about catching people off guard, but rather about educating and raising awareness. If we punish people immediately without giving them time to understand or adjust, what message are we really sending? Laws are meant to protect the people, not to “ambush” them with fines.
Let’s not forget that many especially senior citizens, tourists, and first-time passengers may not even know that wearing seatbelts in the back seats is now mandatory. Some might not even know where the seatbelt is hidden. So, is it really fair to fine them straight away?
I would like to propose three simple suggestions:
1. Introduce a grace period of 1 to 3 months to allow for public education and awareness campaigns.
2. Issue verbal or written warnings first, not fines.
3. Ensure all buses are fully equipped with accessible seatbelts and clear instructions, let’s not penalise passengers who are willing to comply but are let down by inadequate infrastructure.
Road safety is a shared responsibility, but let's not make the law feel more punishing than protective. We need a more humane, compassionate, and rational approach in every enforcement.
That’s all from me. Thank you.
KFAK
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