Foul!

As published in Malay Mail today HARESH SAYS By Haresh Deol PEST, menace, imbecile and bodoh . These are among the words often uttered by drivers when a motorcycle zooms past them. Don’t get me wrong. I am a biker myself. I’ve been riding motorcycles ever since I left school and still do. On two wheels, it’s not about completing a journey but about enjoying an adventure. There are motorcyclists, including those on high-powered machines, who deserve a knock on their heads (and I’m being polite) for failing to respect other motorists. Respect, however, works both ways. Motorcyclists in Malaysia are often treated as “second-class citizens” as many drivers tend to disregard the fact those on two wheels have every right to be on the road as other motorists. Drivers complain of bikers who zig-zag dangerously and rempit where possible. But many forget that a motorcyclist is as important as the politician in a luxurious sedan, the clerk in a compact car, the cyclist o...

A series of freak mishaps killed five people on the Federal Highway yesterday morning. It raises many questions and naturally - who is to be blamed? 1. Do we blame the three motorcyclists who were using the Federal Highway despite it being strictly off-limits for motorcyclists as they are supposed to use the motorcycle lane? 2. Do we blame 21-year-old Wilson Lee who was believed to be speeding before he lost control of his Honda City and hit into the three motorcyclists stationed at the side of the road? 3. Do we blame M. Kalaychelven, 50, for getting down of his vehicle to help the victims? 4. Do we blame a supposed mob that attack Wilson after the accident as widely rumoured online? (note: the police have dismissed such claims) 5. Do we blame the crappy motorcycle lanes at the Federal Highway? 6. Do we blame certain quarters for not wanting to install the AES? 7. Do we blame certain quarters for insisting prices of vehicles and petrol should be lowered? Beyond these...