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Stop being litterbugs, please!
Date 29-Oct-2020 | Category | Author YEAP MING LIONG , Letters, News Straits Times
https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/letters/2020/10/636263/stop-being-litterbugs-please
This file pic dated Jan 17, 2018, shows rubbish thrown a long a road in Pantai Dalam. -NSTP/File pic
This file pic dated Jan 17, 2018, shows rubbish thrown a long a road in Pantai Dalam. -NSTP/File pic

LETTERS It is regrettable that some of us have decided to turn into litterbugs! I'm sure we have seen how some irresponsible individuals blatantly throw their rubbish from their cars on to our public roads and highways.

They calmly open their car doors or wind down their vehicle windows and dump their trash either while driving or stationary. These litterbugs should be ashamed of themselves.

It is disappointing that they are not embarrassed at all and will commit their act in broad day light and in the full presence of the public eye.

Please spare a thought for Mother Nature. Stop your selfish act of harming the environment and landscape. Also, unbeknownst to you, the trash you discard poses a hazard to other road users.

The pieces of tissue paper you have just thrown can be sucked into the engine bays of other car drivers causing damage to property and who knows possibly human lives too.

Drivers and motorcyclists as a possible natural reaction will often try to avoid litter on the roads regardless of size and will swerve to other lanes while doing so. This may catch the driver in the other lane unaware and potentially cause an accident.

The government, local authorities and even highway operators have always been pushing for a stop to littering with countless signage and info graphics and reminders to heighten the awareness and sensitivity of the public to stop that shameful act.

Direct and indirect campaigns or reminders like these involve monetary cost and effort which should be channeled to more important matters such as the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Once again, I humbly urge all litterbugs to please stop your selfish act. This is not the mentality and attitude you should be carrying into the New Year. Pause and reflect. Think about what you are doing to the environment.

YEAP MING LIONG

Subang Jaya, Selangor

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