I called one of the Perodua Service Centers in Kuala Terengganu two days ago because I wanted to install my rear seat belts before January 1st. So I called them with the knowledge that it is mandatory for vehicles manufactured/registered after January 1st, 1995 to have their rear seat belts installed.

But the clerk at the Perodua Service Center said that the seat belts will only arrive next year. I thought she had misunderstood me, so I repeated my concern — that the rear seat belt ruling will be effective beginning January 1st. But the clerk said otherwise. She said that there isn’t such a ruling, and that once the rear seat belts have arrived, they will make an announcement in the newspapers.

But guess what I read in the papers yesterday?

The wearing of rear seat belts becomes mandatory on Jan 1.

– No summons for fourth passenger in backseat, The Star, December 5th, 2008

On another note, what is more disturbing isn’t when the wearing of rear seat belts becomes mandatory. It the the fact that “the law allowed for the authorities to take action if a vehicle was overloaded with passengers, [but] it had not been enforced.”

The Road Safety Department Director-General Suret Singh said although the law allowed for the authorities to take action if a vehicle was overloaded with passengers, it had not been enforced.

“It was not enforced in the past and will not be enforced now or in the future. This policy will remain,” he said, adding that the department was aware of the social implications.

– No summons for fourth passenger in backseat, The Star, December 5th, 2008

Why is there a law if it isn’t enforced? So when do we take action? Do we start pointing fingers after innocent lives have been lost? Or after some big-shot-politicians put in some pressure?

And this makes me wonder, how many other laws that are left “unenforced” in Malaysia.