Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Police Bribing in Asia

You know whats ironic about the whole situation of "police is out in force" because of increased snatch thief cases on the roads? its because it is an opportunity for them to earn extra cash!
Bribery and corruption is something the governments of Asia aren't particularly proud of, but the worse thing is, they don't acknowledge that it is a problem to them! Its so deep rooted into the whole countries administration system, that any force to weed it out, would be deemed as a threat against the very people that takes money from the system.
so here we are, not sure weather to feel safe or scared that there are more police out, patrolling the roads.

I was really pissed off when i got pulled over by the Malaysian police after doing 110km's/ hr on the highway.Well the speed limit was 110! well it was raining and i think maybe the camera couldn't snap properly.
He insisted that i was speeding, and pretended to look at my number plate. It took him like 5 minutes to just look and hint to me that he wanted something. He kept telling me that, i needed to go to the police station to sort things out. And like that would take me 2 weeks.

So ok, i asked him if there was any other way to solve. I cant prove that i didnt go past 110km/hr, and i cant argue that he is bluffing. So i innocently i asked ...and he just nodded and asked me straight in my face if i wanted to be his friend. Errr i said, yeah ok. What do i have to do?

RM 50 bucks to be my friend. Straight up, thats the minimum price of bribery nowadays. Well of course ive heard cases of begging to the policeman telling him you dont have cash, and he will do away with 10 bucks....or even a packet of noodles. (I would have done that, if my mum wasnt by my side) - Pity she already took up a few tens....to show the police man.


So ultimately unless you follow the law straight and straight, then you wont need to worry. But if you happen to get into a tight spot. Remember the golden phrase " is there any way to settle this"?
Then bargain like its friday night in Patpong!

The other case was when i was in Indonesia. Man i tell you, bribing in Indonesia is like first nature to them! Well the police caught me doing an illegal turning on my scooter to the main clubbing area. Checked my "VALID" licence and all and told me straight up. "Jalan Salah!" (Wrong Road), You need to pay 200000 Rp.
I didnt have so much cash with me at that time, and no way in hell am i going to get suckered into paying that much. Latest price list for bribery is (20000 for locals, and 100000 for foreigners)
OK this is what you have to say:
You:I left my wallet in the hotel
Him: ok ill hold your vehicle registration and you go get it.
_______________________________
YOU STALL AND PRETEND TO THINK

Next you say, sorry sir. But i scared ill get caught by the police on the next corner for not having my vehicle registration. Ill pay you what i have now. Is it ok?

Then you start to negotiate.
Important point here is to stall as much time as you can. This makes it look like you regret what you did.


All the best! And thank god for bribery. If not, the world would be square!


















0 comments:

 
Backpackies. com. Design by Wpthemedesigner. Converted To Blogger Template By Anshul Tested by Blogger Templates.