Saman Ekor In Malaysia – Is It Working Out?

In an article to a daily newspaper, a reader who calls himself “Unhappy citizen”, reiterated that he feels the police should stop saman ekor immediately.

He says further that it is not fair to motorists. In fact, I have refrained from touching upon this sensitive subject for quite a while now. The reason why this stance has been adopted is because I do not wish to be embroiled in it.

“Unhappy citizen” went on in his article, having to settle the summons means drivers are admitting guilt when we may not be aware that we have been summoned in the first place. I am fully aware of Unhappy citizen’s frustration and anger over the issue of saman ekor.

A few years ago, I received a shock of my life while checking the police web site to ensure whether I have any outstanding summons. I was surprised that I was blacklisted. It seems that my old jalopy, a Toyota Corolla, a 1980 model received a summons in some remote town near Seremban in Negeri Sembilan.

What a ridiculous shock it was to me!

First of all, I have never even been to that part of Negeri Sembilan. Secondly, my wife, who was working on the day the summons was issued, drove the Toyota to her work place in Port Klang.

Thirdly, there was no way the Toyota could have been near Port Dickson or being driven by someone else. We have never, ever lent our old car to someone else, for that matter.

Fourthly, it should also be reminded that our Toyota was a very old car. Who in his right mind would ever envisage to drive such a vehicle a few hundred kilometers to Negeri Sembilan from the state of Selangor?

According to police sources, some 17 million summons, so it seems, have remained unpaid. Steps are being taken to blacklist these drivers. If you are blacklisted by the relevant authorities, you cannot renew your license and you cannot renew your road tax. In short and also in reality, you cannot drive anymore.

Let’s us now come to consider the question of, is it fair for the authorities to do such a thing in the first place?

When doing a study on the history of ancient China in Penang some 20 years ago, my lecturer on the subject, a Mr. Abdul Rahman used to remind us students that ancient China used to follow a judicial system whereby a person is guilty unless he is proven innocent.

As a student then, I opposed such a maxim that was advocated by my lecturer. Mr. Rahman, in fact did his utmost best to explain to use that China in those days was usually under a dictatorial King or Warlord.

Now, let’s come to European law, which Malaysia is following today. While studying English Legal Systems, one of the compulsory papers necessary for the intermediate level for University of London examination, time and time again I was told a person is innocent until he is proven guilty.

It looks as if the police and the relevant authorities have today chosen to adopt ancient Chinese judicial system. Inspite of the fact that today, Malaysia has now entered into the 21st century and is a fully democratic country.

Readers can therefore decide for themselves as to whether the saman ekor used is right or wrong. I will not be drawn into making a conclusion. The choice is yours to make.

If anyone should feel that you have been intimidated, by all means, engage legal counsel and fight it in courts. But do remember, all these will take time and a lot of hassle.

Are you, as a driver able to withstand all the problems you will encounter? Are you able to withstand not using your faithful vehicle for a few months, at least while waiting for your court case to proceed? Only you can answer that question.

By | 2012-09-21T20:23:02+08:00 January 18th, 2011|Driving In Malaysia|2 Comments

About the Author:

2 Comments

  1. Fatimah January 19, 2011 at 10:30 pm - Reply

    I am a new driver 8 months and I must admit that driving is one of the great pleasures in life for me! Tonight, however, I feel otherwise. You see, I was driving home from work and due to a stalled car in my right lane, I had to move into the middle lane. I did everything as per procedure, which is signal, etc. There was a big lorry which didn’t let me pass and kept honking at me. In the end I managed to pass him. By the way, he was going slowly and it was only after I signalled to cut in that he started speeding up!

    Anyways, he kept honking non stop and he goes into the lane beside mine to gesture vulgarities at me. And then he swerved his lorry twice into my lane!!!! I was so scared that i honked twice but all the cars around me were not helping and I almost drove into another car. I am scared and furious to be bullied like this. Also, he followed me for another 20 mins, almost all the way back to my home. I really wonder what would have happened if i had gotten into an accident when he swerved into my lane. Does he think that he can get away with bullying people on the road?

    Please advise what I can do in such a situation. I do not want to die because of such inconsiderate lorry drivers like this.

    • Cikgu Yap January 25, 2011 at 1:20 pm - Reply

      I suppose what you have experience is part and parcel of driving. You have to bear with it.

Leave A Comment