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Value time
09/01/2007 The Star By BHAG SINGH
We should be mindful of wasting other people’s time as it is such an
invaluble asset.
AS WE face the days, weeks and months ahead, it is comforting to note that
we have almost the entire year before us and so much time to do what is
desired. Time, indeed, is an asset that is available to everyone to use
according to his discretion.
Yet news reports about some national service trainees being asked to turn up
many hours earlier than necessary, and others being asked to come back later
after waiting for hours on end, are instances of wasted time.
When such things happen, there will be reasons. It is not the purpose of
this article to examine these reasons but what happened serves as a lucid
reminder of how, in our society, we waste other people’s time and sometimes
even our own.
When this happens it is sometimes at the expense of the person causing the
wastage. In other cases the wastage in borne by others. All the same, it is
time wasted. As has been said by someone: “Everything requires time. It is
the only truly universal condition. All work takes place in time and uses up
time. Yet most people take for granted this unique, irreplaceable, and
necessary resource”.
However, it is not as if we are a society that is not time-conscious. We
have all the facilities to keep time. Time can even be tracked via the
handphone which very few people do not carry.
In law, time plays an important role and tremendous importance is given to
it. Rights can be lost if time lines are not observed. In some cases there
is flexibility. In other cases, there may be none. This depends on what is
involved and what has to be done.
As an example, the law of limitation creates a time bar in relation to a
person’s right to institute and commence legal proceedings. Thus in
Peninsular Malaysia, in most cases if an action is not filed within six
years of the cause of action arising, the right to sue is permanently lost.
Of course, there are instances of shorter limitation periods, and on other
occasions, slightly longer periods. But these are the exceptions rather than
the rule. In Sabah and Sarawak, the limitation period is generally shorter
though there are provisions for the extension of time in certain
circumstances.
In the case of litigation, there are specific time frames within which
documents must be filed. And when it comes to appeals, this may only be in
terms of days or weeks within which to file the Notice of Appeal. If time
has passed, the right to an appeal may be lost.
Of course, unlike in the case of limitations, the court has in litigation
matters the power to extend the time. Though there is greater indulgence in
criminal matters as compared to civil matters, the final decision depends on
the facts and circumstances surrounding each application, and sometimes can
be unpredictable.
Similarly, there are many other areas where failure to abide by time lines
will result in the loss of rights to take certain steps or adopt a
particular approach in dealing with the matter at hand. Yet as Malaysians,
many individuals are only conscious of time when a personal interest or
stake is involved. In some instances, more people become conscious and value
the need to be punctual and observe the time lines.
Thus if a person is headed for a job interview that he or she really wants,
the person will surely be on time. Or if an individual is to collect payment
of money which he needs or sometimes even does not need, the person will be
present right on time.
I cannot personally state this for all areas of activity, but from what I
have observed in the courts, some litigants and lawyers are sometimes kept
waiting though the time stated in the Summons may be 9am or even earlier. It
would not be wrong to say that not a few lawyers spend more time waiting in
the court corridors rather than arguing cases in court.
Hospitals provide another example. Appointments are often given more for the
sake of giving the appointments rather than for keeping them. A patient who
has an appointment in a hospital would be well advised to keep half the day
free if he is not to stress himself out before he gets to see the doctor or
consultant.
This is not the only case with government hospitals where the treatment is
free or at nominal cost. It is also the experience of some patients who are
paying in full for their consultation and treatment at commercial rates,
irrespective of whether the establishment is publicly or privately funded.
One also reads of complaints from individuals who have to deal with certain
departments and organisations, who have to make several visits before they
are attended to because the person in charge is on leave or away or just
unavailable for whatever reason.
Some friends in other professions tell me that a similar disregard for time
prevails when they go for meetings, discussions or interviews.
With reference to the national service trainees, it may be said that they
have all the time available and though they had to wait they would not have
suffered any loss. However, this does not justify the distress caused nor
reflect the spirit of a “caring society” that we would like to be.
Of course, the lack of appreciation of other people’s time may not be a
major problem. What is said earlier does not apply generally. Depending on
the department, establishment or organisation involved, it may be at a
minimal level or even non-existent. However, this is hardly any consolation
for those who are at the receiving end.
All Malaysians would therefore be helping to preserve a national asset and
contribute to greater productivity if we respect and value the time of
others. |
