For a loving symbol he is, we can understand Pak Lah's frustration at why deaths on the roads keep increasing every year despite efforts by the government and careful attention by the authorities related to traffic. Pak Lah usually only give sermons and his work is done.

Why have the scenes of increasing fatalities and gruesome sights shown everyday over TV not been able to invite deterrence? Why are more and more cars being used during festive seasons? Is it because our public transport has failed to provide alternate solutions?

People say, we never had a transportation masterplan. If the mindset of drivers is the problem, is teaching in schools a effective solution? Or is it the licencing method that fails to produce disciplined drivers? Or is it the low quality cars that is the culprit? The list goes on and on - you blame me, I blame him and he blames you.

The frustration Pak Lah expresses doesn't surprise anyone either. The government is already legendary in not discussing the problem with the public. The most would be one or two radio or TV shows with 'half baked experts'. A proper in-depth study is required from not our worthless Transport Ministry but by a professional impartial body which will have no qualms in tell the truth.

This is because the Transport Ministry is either incapable of doing it or will hide the facts to protect unknown fallacies. As in other ministries and government departments, officers occupying senior positions in Transport Ministry are products of an apple-polishing culture, not one based on reward for ability or aptitude in producing excellent work. It is probably a culture throughout the whole government.

Pak Lah has to start by being honest about these people who dwell in high government offices, the local councils and national or state committees and who deal directly or indirectly with roads and traffic. The first thing I suggest, is to cut the salary of all those who were involved in the recent festive season's road safety campaigns.

Start with himself, the transport minister and the works minister followed by the district officer, the police head and the public works department head. In any area that had more than two deaths on the road in the last month, haul them up, cut RM10 from their salary and if there were more deaths, then demote them. Then you will see how their brain will work. Will Pak Lah be able to do this? Or will it be the usual excuse, 'We have our own way of doing things?' and expect the solution to drop from the sky.