Yesterday, I read an article in the Malay Mail about Mat Rempits beating up two cops while bystanders stood by to watch. Here’s the article…

http://www.mmail.com.my/Current_News/mm/Weekend/Frontpage/20070826224826/Article/index_html

At first read, needless to say, i was appalled at what happened. Thoughts like “Ain’t that just normal for Malaysians, apathetic to the max” ran through my head. But last night, whilst driving home, I thought about the article again, and I realized that though it was unfortunate that the policemen were beaten up,  the bystanders can’t really be blamed (at least not totally). Why? Because upon closer reading you’ll probably notice that the policemen were not in uniform. Yup, they were undercover (plain-clothed) officers. Who were also on motorcycles. Puts a slightly different light on it dont you think?

 Now imagine you’re one of the bystanders and you see the Mat Rempits start fighting. And then one of them pulls out a gun (which the distressed officer had to resort to to save himself and his partner). Would you jump into the fray to help or would you think “Hmmm… I’m not gonna get involved in some mat rempit fracas and get myself injured. Let them kill each other for all i care. Less for the nation to deal with.”?

Me? I am sorry to say I’ll be too scared to help in light of the not so positive encounters between members of the public and the Mat Rempits.

To the brave officers, I am sorry that you got beat up, but unless you’re attacked whilst in uniform next time, I dont think you can expect much help from the public until our fear/loathing/apathy toward mat rempit ceases.