The roadblocks set up by the police each time a demonstration or rally is planned are nothing but trouble and inconvenience to the public. Starting with the roadblocks set up in November 2007 when the Bersih and Hidraf rallies took place, the roadblocks set up last week when the Protes rally took place and the roadblocks set up yesterday and today, they have caught the public in traffic chaos especially in the Klang Valley.
The latest roadblocks are set up as rumours on a rally at the Parliament building is planned to take place today in view of the no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister, which was eventually rejected by the Speaker. As today is a working day and traffic would be heavy during the early morning rush, the roadblocks did not help but worsen the situation as the people rushing to school and work are trapped in unusual traffic congestion in Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya and surrounding towns.
Pakatan Rakyat has denied reports that the opposition coalition has planned for a rally. Until now, there is no report yet on any rally taking place at the Parliament.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Home Affairs & Internal Security, Syed Hamid Albar says sorry to the people for the inconvenience. However, he stressed that the measures were taken in the interest of public security. Come on, is the public security being threatened until it warrants such an inconvenience to the public?
With the recent hike in fuel prices, the traffic congestion created by the roadblocks did not help but causing more fuel to be burned while vehicles are trapped in the congestion! The government owes the public an explanation to the trouble and inconvenience caused by the roadblocks. Syed Hamid’s explanation and apology does not help. Is he willing to compensate everyone for their time and money (fuel usage) wasted in the congestion?
On the other hand, doesn’t the police have more important tasks such as fighting crime which is rapidly increasing in this country? Instead of spending their work hours in roadblocks which brings nothing but trouble and inconvenience, the police should focus their limited resources to help the public in fighting crime and resolving criminal cases. After all, we are their boss as we pay taxes and they are paid salary from our taxes!
