ONE of the issues of public concern is how to develop a strong maintenance culture in Malaysia in the interest of public safety and convenience.
Malaysia prides itself in the provision of First World infrastructure but, alas, the maintenance of these facilities is not so.
Poor maintenance of public buildings and infrastructures can lead to accidents and injuries.
Public toilets that are not properly maintained can cause health problems.
Poorly maintained children’s playgrounds can also result in accidents and injuries.
Roads and public drains that are not properly maintained can result in flash floods.
Potholes that are left unattended for weeks cause great inconvenience to motorists.
Failure to prune tree branches and leaves that obstruct road signs along our highways and federal, state and trunk roads is not only inconvenient but also causes road accidents.
These unpleasant occurrences are a reflection of Malaysian malaise clearly manifested in inferior work quality, poor execution, inept management, poor maintenance and a lack of ethics.
What is at stake is not only ethics but also the issue of safety and health at workplace.
The occurrence of collapsing structure from tall buildings is an issue affecting health and safety at work that must not be overlooked. It is time we curbed this malaise.
The comment that Malaysia is a country “having First World infrastructure but Third World mentality” is very true when it comes to maintenance.
Maintenance and services have never been the country’s forte. We are good at providing state-of-the-art buildings and equipment but when it comes to maintaining them and making them function properly, we have many shortcomings and weaknesses.
All authorities and every Malaysian must practise the culture of strong maintenance and make it a way of life.
Let us not have First World infrastructure but a Third World mentality when it comes to maintenance.
I call on the administration of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to put an end to the poor and unsatisfactory maintenance of public amenities in the country.
The time has come for the emergence of a new era that emphasises the development of a strong maintenance and safety culture.
Improving a country’s image is not only the responsibility of the government but also the duty of each citizen.
Despite Malaysia’s economic growth and progress, we have not succeeded in developing a civic-minded society. Littering is still common despite many public campaigns against it.
Let it not be said that Malaysians work hard to pursue wealth and success but lose sight of their civic obligations.
TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE, Kuala Lumpur