When it's about safety, be proactive not reactive
LETTERS: The tragic death of a 16-year-old schoolgirl in Negri Sembilan is not just one sad event. Similar incidents have happened before.
The loss of a 16-year-old schoolgirl in Negri Sembilan is more than a single tragedy. Such incidents have occurred before, and we have dismissed the necessity of taking proactive measures rather than reacting to incidents after they occur. We repeatedly observe the same cycle: a catastrophe befalls us, we discuss it following our reaction, and then we remain idle — until the next disaster strikes.
This is not leadership; it is waiting for harm before taking action. We have witnessed this firsthand. Highway structures have collapsed, roads have failed, and risks have been highlighted. However, our authorities almost always respond only after an event has occurred, rather than implementing proactive actions to prevent accidents.
We proclaim that "better safe than sorry" - yet, we frequently opt for "sorry." Safety should commence before an accident happens, not after. We require a genuine culture of prevention and action before a tragedy. This involves addressing issues when they are minor - not deferring until they become large and hazardous. It entails routine inspections of our roads, bridges, and public facilities.
It means conducting thorough and consistent maintenance, scheduled evaluations, and prompt repairs. We should not wait for a road to disintegrate before we fix it. This is of utmost importance in our schools. Every child deserves safety while learning. This means constant oversight of school grounds, buildings, and all activities.
It involves establishing clear measures to prevent violence before it commences. We must not wait for another incident to tighten regulations, enhance supervision, or bolster school security. Prevention is not additional labor - it is our responsibility. It is far more cost-effective to maintain safety than to mend what has been damaged.
More importantly: it saves lives. We owe it to our children, our families, and our nation to alter our perspective. Let us cease acting only after tragedy strikes. Let us plan ahead, protect ahead, and look forward. A safer Malaysia is constructed not when we mourn - but when we decide to prevent.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
