trapping confused motorists at kulai

we were cruising around kulai looking for a certain dirt track that was supposed to lead to gunong pulai. we came to this cross-junction where the traffic lights seemed to be red in all the sections. finally, the traffic in the opposite direction moved and one motor-cyclist signalled to us, on the opposite side, to follow. thinking that the traffic lights were faulty, we moved although the light on our side was still showing red.

we were not beating the traffic light; we had assumed that the lights were not working properly and had taken the initiative to drive on. a short distance after crossing the junction, a policeman in white uniform signalled to us to stop by the side of the road. we were up to then still unaware that he was using this devious way to nab us. finally, when he said that we had not stopped for the red light, we realised what he was up to.

he proclaimed: i am fasting; i would not lie to you. you have indeed failed to stop for the red light. when i explained that it was also red to my left and right, he volunteered to show me that i was wrong - the traffic lights were in working order. yes, they were working; only the order was not the normal order.

he was taking advantage of the atypical traffic signal system at that particular junction to make a fast buck. locals or those living around that area may be familiar with the system but if you are new to that place or just passing through, you may fall into his money-spinning trap.

he asked for my driving licence and identity card and told me to get into my car and stay in the driver's seat. right away, i knew his intent. to make me understand his intention, he added that the fine for the offence was rm$300.

realising that i was 'trapped' as i have indeed committed an offence unwittingly, i slipped rm$20 into his summons book. so, there goes my unblemished record of not having been made to pay a fine for traffic infringement in my more than 25 years of driving in malaysia.