It's the heated news and the talk of the people today on the incident where a rescuer tried to help a girl, who was trapped in a burning car caused by a traffic accident, but was denied access to the fire extinguisher in the petrol station nearby. The rescuer could not do anything but to watch the victim burn to death in the car.
It is a tragic incident. One that pierces conscience and questions humanity. Many asked my opinion about this incident and this is what I would like to say:
- The rescuer has done all he can to help the victim. He had witnessed the most tragic incident. I can feel his pain and anger. We all do. You have proven to us that despite all these, humanity is still hopeful.
- In strict legal sense, I think the operators do not have a legal responsibility towards the victim. Conscience is not a cause of action against another person.
- It is easy to point fingers at somebody but that somebody is rarely the only culprit. Many blamed the operators for the girl's death but what if you were the operators yourself? What if you are the illegal immigrant, trying to avoid the eyes of the police and robbers on a daily basis? What if you're the one living in fear everyday? Would you have trusted the rescuer? Would you have opened the door for him and let him in?
- I think that the actions of the parties are only a reflection of the society in general. It is us, who caused such tragedies. The operators are afraid because of the liabilities and fear of their safety. It is a well-known fact that security is extremely poor in this country. Robbery, rape, gang fights, drug dealings, murder and many other criminal activities are rampant. Our police force is unhelpful and corrupted. We take advantage of illegal immigrants and the less fortunate. It is only human for them to react the way they did as a consequence of these compounding factors.
- I understand that speaking is the first step to a better society. But just talking alone is equally pointless. We talk about it at work, at lunch, with friends and family members but that is all we do. After the chit chat, we move on and feel satisfied that we are somehow better those guilty operators because we criticise their actions. I am guilty as charged myself.
Yes, it's so easy to comment, so easy to say who-who-who is unconscionable, who-who-who should be boycotted. But really, do you treat your maid at home like an equal? Do you drive past the road sweeper every morning and thought nothing about how dangerously they risk their lives working at the road side filled with speeding cars? Do you throw rubbish from your car window to the streets? Do you watch a colleague get into trouble and think "thank goodness it's not me"?
Note: My sincere condolences to the girl's family. I'm sorry for causing her death, whether directly or indirectly. And to the rescuer, you have shown us the best side of humanity. Thank you for keeping us sane.
