Give me RM100,000 for the road

COMMENT | Well, men have been giving in to temptation for centuries, probably ever since the beginning of our species, when a humanoid ancestor discovered the extra ‘sweet’ kick of fermented fruit.

And like much of what we have discovered of this world and what we have made of it, alcohol has been a double-edged sword, lubricating convivial occasions, and debilitating livers and lives, sparking senseless mayhem to self and others.

The federal government is mulling increasing the maximum fine for drunk driving from the current RM20,000 to RM100,000. This follows a recent spate of tragedies on the roads involving drunk drivers.

And this follows the usual government lock-step response to issues and tragedies, whether it be the collapse of a building or tour bus in a ravine – several agencies involved, a task-force formed, this is unacceptable, we will crack down hard, show we mean business.

But RM100,000 and jail-time? It’s understandable there will be a blood-lust when lives are lost because of an inebriated driver, but still, RM100,000…