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We need strict laws to control noise nuisance, speeding and drunkenness
Aug 11, 2008 Letters
Dear Editor,
Allow me to extend my full and wholehearted support to the Minister of Home Affairs for the excellent piece of legislation to ban music in mini buses. This is something that has been allowed to get out of control for a long time, and now is a nuisance to the society.
No one can tell me that they cannot enjoy music if it is played quietly just for them to hear, without the person sitting next to them being disturbed.
The music player could control the volume of music by using an earphone, so that their neighbours, who live next door, do not having to complain that they can’t hear their own voices.
What kind of discipline are we inculcating into our children and our society when you could hear music playing in the wee hours of the morning so loud that residents living streets away could not sleep? It is time that the Government gets serious with this lawlessness that has permeated our society.
Not only should there be a ban on music in mini buses, but also there should be a ban on loud music in our communities. Why should we play music so loudly that it disturbs other people from resting? Why should liquor restaurants and beer gardens be allowed to function without a licence, and be allowed to open and close their doors whenever they please?
We all would agree that rum drinking and speeding are the main factors that contribute to fatalities on our roads, but what have the authorities done about this? Could the Honourable Minister Rohee see to it that a monthly press release is made by the Police Traffic Department giving the public the number of offenders they have charged? This is revenue for the Government and safety for the nation.
If we are to stamp out this indiscipline that has consumed our society, then we need not only to make new legislation, but to see that it is implemented. Why is it that illegal rum shops have outnumbered the licenced ones?
Why is it that they can open their doors and close whenever they please? And why is it that these owners don’t close in the nights, but blast their music till the wee hours of the morning, with the authorities doing nothing?
Is it because they have connections in high places?
It is time that a watchdog committee be set up to see that these bar owners adhere to the law; and the police should be the ones to see that the law is implemented.
For too long rum drinking has been allowed to ruin the lives of many families, leaving children without parents, without food and shelter, and without an education. Rum drinking is the major cause of domestic violence and family separation.
I am not saying that rum should be banned, since it is a top source of revenue for the Government, but it should be controlled, just as loud music and cigarette smoking. People should not be allowed to smoke in mini buses and public places, since they not only destroy their lives, but the lives of others.
I would appreciate if the Honourable Minister Mr. Clement Rohee could introduce strict laws controlling these three areas.
R. Singh
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