A RECENT series of TikTok videos have truly tugged at the heart strings of Malaysians. The first which was posted last week (Sept 12) purportedly showed an e-hailing rider walking forlornly away from his motorbike after it was confiscated by the Road Transport Department (RTD) for not having valid insurance and road tax.
The short video seemed to have captured the e-hailing rider’s torment as he seems to be at a loss as to how he was going to continue working without his motorcycle. Many comments reflected the sympathy that many netizens had for a person in the B40 segment trying to make ends meet.
But the story does have a heart-warming ending when the video was spotted by social media influencer – Aisar Khaled.
Taking the initiative to identify the rider, Aisar visited him at his home in Sepang, Selangor. The rider – 26-year-old Muhammad Shahrul Shah Abu Bakar – recounted the incident and took full responsibility for not renewing his bike’s documents.
To Shahrul’s utter shock and surprise, the main reason for Aisar’s visit was to present him with a brand new motorbike saying that it was an indispensable tool for an e-hail rider.
Generous influencer
Shahrul’s tears of gratitude have truly melted Malaysian hearts as the videos have generated millions of views, likes and shares. The videos highlight a few things. Firstly, Malaysians in the B40 segment are trying very hard to make a decent living. Secondly, kindness and empathy is still strong among certain Malaysians as Aisar clearly demonstrates.
However, as the norm with social media, there are always a multitude of views and opinions, some not always jiving with current sentiments. For instance, some had suggested that perhaps it was enough for the RTD to issue a summons without having to compound the vehicle which was the only means for the rider to earn a living.
In a statement released on Sept 13, Negeri Sembilan RTD director Hanif Yusabra Yusuf regarded the actions of the authorities as was done with the intent of preserving Shahrul’s safety and other road users as well.
As heartless as it may sound, RTD was merely fulfilling its functions without fear or favour. What if Shahrul had been involved in a road accident? He would have had no insurance coverage to help him get back on his feet.
The blame would then be placed at RTD for allowing Shahrul to continue riding without the necessary documentation.
Also, with the number of bikes apparently confiscated in the video, these sorts of offences seem to be prevalent. The RTD may want to consider a social media campaign reminding motorists to do the necessary.
Leverage on the above videos if need be with the underlying message to NOT let this happen to them. Remind motorists that renewals can be done online and that it is relatively inexpensive (as compared to summons and compound fines).
Another disconcerting trend in the comments is the need to politicise everything. Instead of focusing on Aisar’s spirit of generosity, some netizens decided that the videos highlight the extremely difficult position of the B40 population under the unity government with the motorcycle seizure being an example of the cruelty of the Madani government.
Really? It can surely be said that such operations are routine and have been carried out by the authorities no matter who is in Putrajaya.
Please let us not get the issues muddled up. Let’s just focus on the act of kindness as well as the rider’s acceptance that the fault was his and did not seek to blame RTD for merely carrying out their duties. – Sept 18, 2023
