Penny wise, pound foolish

The phrase (or, more grammatically-correct, idiom) "Penny Wise, Pound Foolish" means to be cautious with small amounts of money, but careless with large amounts.

This was the first thing that came to my mind when I read about this particular incident in the local newspaper : http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/1/19/nation/7827132&sec=nation

Apparently, on an unfortunate Tuesday afternoon, a Toyota Hilux was on its way to Melaka on the North-South highway when it was rear-ended by a BMW, causing the driver to lose control and crash into the embankment. The collision resulted in ~RM75,000 worth of coins spilling onto the highway, as the box it was in was flung from the rear of the Hilux.

The fate of the occupants of both vehicles were not mentioned (so I guess there were no fatalities).

Now, here, whenever there was an accident, passing vehicles would slow down to a crawl, mostly to gawk at the scene (like there was something so fascinating to be seen), and some even try to get a glimpse of the license plates for some "lottery inspiration".... :)

In this unfortunate incident, many passing vehicles stopped along the roadside. Not to help the injured, but to "loot" the coins that were spewed all over the road like chickens in a cornfield. This was in the middle of a highway, mind you, so these people were not only greedy and inconsiderate, but oblivious to the fact that they could be hit at any time by another passing vehicle (therefore become part of tomorrow's news). Here, even stopping by the road side in the emergency lane is dangerous (many time before, innocent lives have been lost as their incapacitated cars are rammed by impatient, inconsiderate drivers who abuse the emergency lanes). What more can I add to this?

In spite of pleas from the owners, these people continued with their activity until the Police arrived and contain the mess. Fortunately, no loss of life was reported.



Since the largest valued coin in the Malaysian currency today is only 50 sen (or roughly 16 cents US at current exchange rate), you'd have to pick up 100 of these just to get only RM50.00. If you can afford to drive a car, and pay the toll on the PLUS highway, what the hell are coins to you? What if you get hit and die (cheap ending 6 feet underground) or don't die (expensive ending in the hospital)?

By the way, speaking of coins, in Malaysia, legally you cannot pay for something using just coins if is is more than a certain price. Coins issued by the Bank shall be legal tender in Malaysia at their face value as follows:

Denomination	Maximum Amount
50 sen	Not exceeding RM10.00
20 sen, 10 sen, 5 sen and 1 sen	Not exceeding RM2.00

Source : http://www.bnm.gov.my/index.php?ch=209&pg=657&ac=568

So, the only practical way to use these coins would be to:-
a) Given it back to the rightful owners, or surrender it to the Police
b) Change it at the bank (banks should be on the look out for these kind of people)
c) pay for cheap stuff using coins (may or may not annoy the people you are paying) until all are used up

I wonder, if there were an earthquake or natural disaster, would Malaysians degenerate to looting like you see in the news?



To all those who have taken what did not belong to them (bukan rezeki halal), shame on you!!!

[UPDATE 3.37PM GMT+8, 22 Jan 2011] : From the legal aspect, applicable to those who stopped, scooped and scurried away, the Penal Code says in Section 378 that “whoever, intending to take dishonestly any movable property out of the possession of any person without that person’s consent, moves that property in order to such taking, is said to commit theft.”....