I GO to shopping complexes to buy household provisions, on foot and by public transport. 

Often I have been stopped and questioned by security guards or auxiliary police as to my purpose, which is none of their business. Since youngsters ahead of me are not stopped do these gentlemen believe that oldies like me should not be “wandering around”?

I am turned back after having walked some distance there.

The most frequent issue is that I do not have a “smartphone” to scan. Not everyone carries one and some not even a “stupid” phone, which is all I can afford.

The point is, what is the rule? 

At Mid Valley Megamall and KL Sentral, I have been denied access at one entrance and entered through another after writing down my particulars. 

Walking underground from KL Sentral to exit near the National Museum, I was interrogated about my purpose. When told I was going to the Taman Perdana park (when it was open) he said I could not proceed and waved a laminated card at me. So I backtracked to KL Sentral, exited and made my way around the skyscrapers to the park, an unnecessary loss of 40 sen to the operators. At Dataran Merdeka I flagged down a GOKL bus but before allowing me to board the driver needed to know where I had been (to buy lunch) and where I was headed (home). 

What is happening? Do we need this?

I can only conclude that among our local security guards and auxiliary police there are many “little Mahathirs” who think they know what is best for the public and for those who pay their salaries, and so make up their own rules. 

In Europe there are laws against ageism. I am not suggesting our Parliament cut and paste the laws here. No. 

Generally, oldies are treated decently here. – July 19, 2021.

* George Thomas reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.