Correcting insufficiencies by looking backward at what they have been simply invites the next, perhaps opposite error. It is like trying to drive down the highway with a firm grip on the rear-view mirror.
— George Washington Carver, American agriculturist scientist
A friend of mine almost died after his motorcycle hit a pothole at the back of his condominium in Petaling Jaya on March 10.
The poor chap had a bad fall and suffered bruises on his face, chest and limbs. The handsome guy, aged only 38, will no longer look the same again. I was just informed by his wife that he might have to undergo plastic surgery and she’s at wits end; she needs to dig deep into their reserves for the reconstructive surgery.
I am familiar with that pothole. It’s just 100 metres away from the condo that I am staying in — yes, my friend stays on the 16th floor and I stay a few floors down.
The gaping hole has been existing there for more than a year — believe me I have no reason to exaggerate. The pothole has been around since the last time I was in PJ — in October 2020 — and it’s still there now, March 13 2022!
My Honda Accord takes a bad beating every time I pass that stretch of lane, just behind a mamak eatery. I just can’t fathom why the restaurant owner has not complained, or if he did, why the damn city council in charge of the area hasn’t taken any action to repair the hole.
Are the council people waiting for someone to get killed? Perhaps, if one of its staff member gets maimed or killed it will act.
Perhaps, I should get the residents in the area to initiate legal action against the inactive council. Makan gaji buta (getting paid for doing nothing!).
I understand the MP for the constituency is an Opposition member. I hope the person wakes up from his or her slumber before it’s too late.
Just slightly a year ago, a motorcyclist died in a road accident after hitting a pothole. The accident happened near Mutiara Damansara when a food delivery rider was at a traffic light junction.
The poor rider hit a pothole and lost control of his bike and fell at the left side of the road.
He died at the scene. A video clip on the incident made its rounds on social media. Other riders could be heard trying to help the motionless motorcyclist.
And in a similar accident near Midvalley led to the death of a 75-year-old man in January last year.
In my poor friend’s case, I think I will have to advise him to get his lawyer to either talk to the MP or the council if nothing is done the next few days.
The MP had better call up the mayor and get the council staff to mend the pothole fast.
Potholes are a nuisance to road users. And those tasked with mending the holes are equally a nuisance – if they do not act!
By the way, my friend asked me if I would allow him a space in my column to air his grievances and share his near-death experience. I told him my column gets published in Sarawak only.
But your Gasak Ajak appears online what! I guess he has a point. I reproduce his letter here, unedited.
“Bro, please give me a space in your column. I enjoy reading your articles.
I was fortunate to come out alive from this incident. It was dark and I failed to notice the gaping pothole. Don’t know what happened to me last Thursday. I know the pothole was there, but I was thinking about my job.
My boss told me I will be laid off in two months’ time. I was worried and kept thinking what I would do. My wife earns enough for the rental and utilities and it’s my salary that keeps us going.
I turned around the corner fast and it was too late for me to stop. I rode right into the hole and I was thrown some 50 feet away. The helmet came off and I suffered serious facial injuries.
Blood was all over my face and I had nasty bruises on my arms and legs. My shirt and jeans were full of blood. Fortunately a passer-by saw the incident and came to my aid.
With the aid of an elderly man who happened to pass by, I was carried to his 4WD and he sent me to hospital.
The doctors told me I will have to go for facial surgery. Oh, my God! Why me?
I really don’t know why no one ever came to repair the pothole. Maybe it’s an opposition area which is why no one bothered to reply.
I think this is a lesson for me and my family to never ever vote for the opposition!”
Okay, over to the council people. Do something. Don’t wait for someone to leave this world!
