I refer to the Komunitikini report Woman dies in fire as BHP staff refuse to loan fire extinguisher .

As I read this latest piece of tragic, freak accident involving three vehicles, I cannot but feel utterly disappointed with the human race. One of the greatest tragedy that man could ever experience is to watch another fellow human being die before him. Quoting and un-quoting one of my friends, ‘Standing helplessly watching someone burn to death knowing that you have the ability but not the means to help is the worst feeling in the world. This will haunt him for the rest of his life.’

There is a note going around in Facebook, apparently from the man himself, relating the whole incident; on how he quarreled, argued, and even shouted profanities at the two attendants who seemed ignorant enough to give any decent response. I find myself asking but this one question: What would I do if I were in that man's position?

However, the point of my short letter is not this: that the man could have taken other measures/ initiatives to ensure the girl's survival etc. What I would like to highlight are the attitude of the two BHP attendants in this incident and the company's policies in general.

I find it extremely disturbing that these two attendants could show no compassion towards fellow mankind in the name of law. But is adherence to laws and policies justified in this case? The point in contention is this: Robberies are rampant and therefore, the two attendants were just protecting themselves and the company when they refused to help. But were the two attendants that ignorant that they failed to see the urgency and desperation of the man? If it was a risk to open the door after hours, I would say it was a risk damn well worth to take.

Would you rather lose a life or the entire cash in the register? Moreover, it was reported that the man himself offered money and even his identity card as deposit for the fire extinguishers. What more safety precautions can you ask for? It was also reported that instead of helping, these two attendants threatened to report the man to the police and management for behaving in a somewhat violent manner when his request was turned down.

If these two attendants were foreigners, we could at least afford them a little grace; they may not be familiar with the language, what the man wanted, and the urgency of the situation. They have issues like job security to think about as all of us know pretty well that foreign workers are not properly treated in Malaysia. But these two attendants are locals; Malaysians, who know the language, culture, and implications of their actions.

 

If they opened the door and they were robbed, Malaysians would see them as victims; the incident would serve as a warning of a new robbery tactic. If they opened the door, and the man was genuine in his story, they would be lauded as heroes, alongside the man. But the reality is that they refused to extend their help, and now, we look at them with nothing but disdain.

Thousands of excuses can be given by BHP. The company's government relations manager even found the guts to say that the man was not acting calmly when asking for assistance. He further defended the staff by saying that they have been attacked and beaten up previously. This is another one of the world-class moronic statements we can get in Malaysia. How do you expect someone who just witnessed a horrific accident and rushing against time to remain calm?

If you're catching the train and you're already late for work, would you walk with a sense of urgency or take a stroll in the park? And that is just a poor analogy, mind you. If the person inside the Myvi was the family member of the two attendants, would they plead the cause of mere obedience to management in refusing help?

BHP has been very, very disappointing in handling this incident. Instead of taking appropriate actions and issuing a press conference over the matter, they maintained that the staff should not be blamed, and only expressed their ‘regret’ over the incident. In my humblest opinion, these two attendants should be fired immediately for failing to act rationally on grounds of humanity.

BHP would then be sending out a strong message that they do not take the value of life lightly. Also, the policies of the company on loaning of fire extinguishers and opening the doors after hours should be amended with exceptional clauses in view of certain situations/scenarios involved.

Just as in every state, laws/rules are important to regulate and maintain order in organizations. But how can laws be above man when laws are man-made? God gave us brains to think and act like humans in times when the rules fail to provide us with a humane guideline of conduct. Let us always remember that laws are dead, rigid; humanity, and decisions are not.