Drive safely

Drive safely

What does is the madness of the balik kampung rush and with
it, the tally of road accidents, fatalities and injuries. What
does is the flurry of activity as traffic police mount yet
another operation to induce motorists to drive safely. Even so --
like so many things associated with the spirit of Hari Raya such
as open house, the mandatory seeking of forgiveness and the green
ang pow packets or duit raya -- Ops Trafik has become a routine.

The tedium of it all casts away the little things that make
all the difference to festive cheer: Courtesy, patience,
compassion and humility. Apply these to the hours of waiting at
airports, bus terminals and train stations as well as the long
journey home and we may find a certain spiritual upliftment and a
sense of inner well-being.

The supremacy of the traditionally-cooked lemang may not be
challenged by the oven-baked foil-wrapped lemang but there is no
lack of festive cheer because the spirit and meaning of Hari Raya
are retained in the hearts. Still, there is a dampener in the
form of needless road accidents. If that sounds too gloomy, do
forgive us in the spirit of Hari Raya for being a damp squib. And
drive safely.

-- New Straits Times, Kuala Lumpur