I refer to the Malaysiakini report, Rescuers search for 3 missing after ferry blaze .

Unfortunately, enforcement and maintenance in Malaysia is not a culture held highly. Slipshod and tardiness is the hallmark of Malaysian service industry. Why is this so? I as a citizen and consumer attempt to give three reasons:

1) Those placed in position of enforcement have succeeded in closing one eye (a saying made famous by an MP) and sometimes if the money is right in front of both eyes. It is so sad that those in positions of authority can sell their God given responsibility to ensure that buses and lorries are safe, boats are checked, airport security remain tight. Corruption is endemic and the cause of many of our woes.

2) Lack of responsibility and sense of pride in what we do. There is a marked difference in the security when I leave the KLIA airport and that of other airports around the world. It is very common to see the airport security personnel talking among themselves, especially the man viewing the X-ray screen. He merely presses the belt, moving the bags along while his head is turned to talk to his colleagues. There is just no sense of responsibility. It is not a culture we foster in our children from young.

3) The job is often given to the contractor or company who has the right connection or a bumiputera company who has no experience in the job. There are many vultures who circle around Putrajaya awaiting handouts in the form of contracts. These middlemen maybe former civil servants or politicians who have no value add. They merely rely on their inside contact to get the deal and then they pass on the job to another company after having taken their lion share of the money. The final contractor who does the job has to make do with whatever funds left often having to cut corners. This is a culture spawned by the NEP and which will soon destroy our beloved land.

How do we progress and market our country as a tourist destination when the public amenities are not safe, not maintained and dirty. If one was to venture to Taman Negara for example, one would notice the sad state affairs as the once longest canopy bridge is half of what is used to be. The once five-star hotel is run down and poorly maintained. When will we ever learn?