I am not at all surprised by Southern Bank Berhad's action in imposing a fine of RM400 on a bounced cheque as highlighted by Dr Chris. I am of the view that banks have become absolutely mad. They pretend not to know what is a mistake.

Instead, they take the view that one is liable for mistakes made. But when banks make a mistake, they simply brush it off as 'human error' and walk away. Most customers don't have the time or the resources to pursue any form of action.

But banks, on the other hand, wouldn't hesitate to send legal notices to customers to collect just RM5.

May I call upon any of our learned lawyers to could come forward to help take Southern Bank to court over this RM400 penalty imposed? May I suggest that each malaysiakini reader volunteer to donate, say, RM0.50 sen to help the lawyer institute legal proceedings against the bank?

Will malaysiakini be kind enough to receive these funds from readers?

Banks have lost all their sense of decency and self-respect. They have no qualms in being rude and unprofessional when dealing with customers.

And what does Bank Negara do about it? Nothing. Nothing whatsoever. They remain as silent spectators.