As far as populist statements from politicians go, PAS Deputy President Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man’s statement yesterday on traffic enforcement takes the cake.

In a Facebook post, Tuan Ibrahim questioned the use of hidden speed traps, saying it gave the impression that the authorities were more interested in making profits than saving lives.

He opined that the speed traps should not be hidden, but placed in clear view at dangerous stretches and that road users should be given a warning of speed traps some 5km in advance.

He also said rather than fine errant road users, the government should take action against toll companies who had failed to tackle the traffic jams, forcing road users to use the emergency lane, although he noted that PAS did not agree with the use of emergency lanes, except for emergencies.

It is true that there is a lot to be desired about the traffic conditions on our toll highways, for which road users have to pay a lot to use.

This does have to be fixed.

However, it is no justification for using the emergency lane and Tuan Ibrahim’s feeble effort to come to the defence of irresponsible road users speaks volumes about what is wrong with many politicians in this country.

The rules are there for a purpose and Tuan Ibrahim, as a leader of a huge national party, should be promoting the rule of law and encouraging people to abide by the law and practise self control without exception.

Tuan Ibrahim’s statement that speed traps should not be hidden and for speed trap warnings to be put up is also moronic to say the least.

If speed traps are not hidden, then they would be very poor traps. In fact, they would probably not be called “traps”.

The speed traps are meant to teach a lesson to motorists that they are being watched and can be caught for speeding.

Going by Tuan Ibrahim’s logic, we would need to have speed traps in the open, along the entire highway and not “dangerous stretches” alone, as accidents can happen anywhere.

This would be akin to treating motorists like sheep which need to be herded, rather than the responsible road users they are supposed to be.

Politicians need to stop wasting everyone’s time with populist statements which do not address the root of the problem, which is Malaysians who refuse to play by the rules.