I refer to the malaysiakini report Bus crash kills 20, two in critical condition . This terrible incident reminds us to ask ourselves some important questions about this malaise of complacency towards public safety that exists within our nation.

A nation's government system is supposed to have procedures and laws that reduce the risk of such unnecessary accidents from taking place. But it just doesn't seem to be working here.

We can ask elements of the authorities such as the CVLB (Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board), JPJ (Road Transport Department) and the police why this bus company was still operating and the driver still driving when there were at least 13 summons and two arrest warrants issued against the driver?

Only after such an accident occurs does the licence of the bus company get suspended and all kinds of counter-measures get proposed - same old knee-jerk reaction. Similarly, we can also ask the question as to why some restaurants are still placing tables and chairs by busy roadsides after it was decreed that this should be banned after a fatal accident occurred a few years ago.

We can also ask why we are wasting resources in sending an astronaut to space when they can be better spent on improving the public transportation system or why there are rampaging youths in certain areas of Klang and Shah Alam who continue to terrorise residents there.

Where is the enforcement and commitment to public safety? If we are striving to become a developed country, we need to understand that it isn't just about the tallest buildings or the longest bridges.

What matters even more are the efficiency and effectiveness of a country's delivery system, the commitment to public well-being and also a good healthcare system. Let us get our priorities right and better to protect our citizens.

We need protection not just from rising crime, but also from irresponsible bus companies like Syarikan Kenderaan Bukit Gantang and from drivers like Rohizan Abu Bakar. In a broader sense, we also need protection from elements within our authorities who are complacent enough to allow such an irresponsible incident to happen when they had the power to prevent it.

As our nation celebrates yet another birthday, I issue a plea to those in authority - please protect us.