An enforcement officer from the Kuala Selangor district council in Selangor was caught on camera flipping over a tray full of fish at a wet market recently. This happened during a routine check to ensure market vendors do not obstruct the walkways. This sort of bullying and misuse of power by enforcement officials should not be condoned.
Though the vendors may have infringed the regulations, enforcement officials should act professionally at all times. The incident occurred in a small, sleepy community but it has become a talking point nationwide as a video clip of the incident has gone viral.
Given the wide reach of social media, potential foreign investors may generalise this as the normal way of life here rather than a one-off action by an errant enforcement officer.
The manner in which the officer will be dealt with will be closely monitored by the business community and the public.
The district council’s acting president Mohamad Yusli Askandar has reportedly claimed the incident is “just a misunderstanding” and the officer concerned is not a repeat offender.
So it is looking increasingly likely the officer will be given a mere slap on the wrist. If this is the case, the local authority will be seen as endorsing a high-handed “gangsterism style” of enforcement.
Over the years, the authorities have often acted against problematic civil servants by simply transferring them to other offices. For example, a primary school teacher, who allegedly molested nine students at a school, was transferred to another school. This is merely transferring the problem somewhere else!
The authorities must send out a loud and clear message by severely punishing civil servants who abuse their position and break the law. Otherwise, we risk becoming a laughing stock worldwide.
