The Star published an article about good samaritan, Encik Panjang (he decided to keep his full name private), who fixes potholes in parts of Johor Bahru. This wouldn’t be a worthy news if not for the fact that Encik Panjang doesn’t work for the municipality, the real authority that should be doing this in the first place. He helps the community without expecting any compensation.
Being a Johor Bahru citizen myself, I am very familiar with this problem. Our roads, to put mildly, are shit. Probably just as shitty as the bloody idiots who run MBJB (Johor Bahru City Council) and MPJBT (Central Johor Bahru Town Council). Don’t the assholes that are in charge of these two entities not drive themselves? Last I checked, none of the staff there commutes using helicopters, therefore it’s bloody ridiculous that they’re not aware of the situation themselves. From this, I can deduce that these people are just a bunch of ignorant, lazy assed idiots who “makan gaji buta” (Malay saying for people who take salary but don’t do the work).
Hopefully, with this media coverage, they would get off their collective asses and fix our damn roads. Encik Panjang couldn’t do this by himself… not that he’s even supposed to, mind you. Johor Bahru is the southern entry point for foreign visitors. What sort of impression are these incompetent government bodies trying to project to them?
Encik Panjang is one of the rare breed of modern day heroes that thrive to make a difference in the lives of those around him, regardless of how these people perceive him. In these days of politicizing but no leadership, I’d rather put a perceived mad man on the pedestal, rather than politicians who are all talk, but no action. At least Encik Panjang acknowledges the problem and took action to overcome it, unlike our media-whoring politicians who only talk about it… provided there are enough lenses focusing on him/her.
Encik Panjang, you are my hero and I salute you for your efforts.
