A VIDEO of a frustrated rate payer repairing potholes and painting it with the proclamation “DUIT SAYA” (literally MY MONEY) has gone viral.
X user NaratifRakyat’s (@NaratifRakyat) short clip, has unsurprisingly resonated strongly with Malaysians fed up with pothole ridden roads.
What made the video more compelling is the protagonist’s frustrated tone as he described being ignored by the authorities.
Jalan berlubang sampai ada penunggang motor jatuh. Dh adu kpd Adun Taman Sentosa Klang tetap tiada tindakan. Akhirnya org awam baiki dgn duit sendiri !!
Apa gunanya ada kerajaan mcm ni? pic.twitter.com/9UNjOT2VUZ
— Naratif Rakyat 🇲🇾 (@NaratifRakyat) January 9, 2024
He said he was forced into taking ‘do-it-yourself’ (DIY) measures as the municipal authority and the state assemblyman concerned were content to just ignore the many complaints about the terrible conditions of Jalan Hulubalang and other roads in and around Taman Sentosa, Klang.
He further explained why he painted the “DUIT SAYA” proclamation on the newly tarred section of the road which was to ensure the elected representative and others in municipal councils did not take credit for it.
His actions have been commended by netizens with one even suggesting the Good Samaritan stand for elections.
While some attempted to use the video as evidence of the ineffectiveness of the current government, many were quick to point out this was a problem faced by ordinary Malaysians everywhere regardless of who is in power and that such issues were the responsibility of the municipal councils.
However, the adverse publicity generated by the video has finally forced the state assemblyman for Sentosa to address the issue.
It does appear that social media is an effective weapon to get a response when official lines of complaints do not seem to work.
Not only are MPs and state assemblymen forced to take action, they now face backlash on social media and may eventually have to deal with all the negative publicity. It paints them as ineffective and uncaring.
Syabas to the man in the video for being proactive! Social media – a powerful tool for democracy in Malaysia indeed. – Jan 17, 2024
