Corporations must get behind courtesy drive

TS,Sunday 17 July 2011 

I agree with “Giving way will help traffic flow” (The Star, June 15). 

Drivers must be courteous to each other. 

The lack of courtesy is apparent in all spheres of our lives. 

Sadly, the majority adopt the adage “If you cannot beat them, join them” but when overseas, they would practise “When in Rome, do as Romans do”.

Making a whole list of our shortcomings will raise awareness at best. As such, I wish to offer some suggestions in promoting courtesy. 

Several years ago, instead of displaying a taxi ad, the back of my cab sported these words “Each time we give way willingly, our hearts grow a little bigger”. 

Large corporations can print stickers such as “Courteous Driver”, “AWAS – I am giving way”, “Show Courtesy” etc. for mass distribution as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility. 

It will be more effective if the sponsors’ names are omitted but in a way the public can associate the slogans with these companies. 

Another method is for trade associations to conduct training workshops on courtesy for their industry personnel and seek grants from their respective ministries. 

I am involved with a national travel association in such endeavours and will also be conducting Train-the-Trainer courses to build a large pool of facilitators to conduct courtesy workshops nationwide. 

The Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry will be reviving the Courtesy and Noble Values Campaign. However, concerted efforts by all parties are necessary for it to succeed. 

It would be impossible to make every citizen courteous, but society can be transformed once we reach a critical mass. 

To achieve this, all caring Malaysians do their part to promote courtesy and upgrade the quality of life for all citizens and visitors alike. 

YS Chan 

Kuala Lumpur