Yesterday, I was with boss at a health-screening programme at his constituency. He was invited to officiate at the event, which was, well, what you can expect from such functions. There were kiosks for visitors to check their blood pressure, health information booths and even a place where dental checks were done. I also noticed some doctors on standby dispensing advice. True to being a bersama rakyat programme, everything was free.
The official opening even had clown act to keep the kids entertained and silat performances. Children could also take part in a colouring contest. The response was rather good. I mean who wouldn't want to get a free health-check - rudimentary as it may be - and a chance to beramah mesra?
After my job was done, I headed for my car, ready for my next assignment, hoping to reach the venue before the boss did. As I was crossing a road, a car drove past me and stopped. The aunty driver, who must be in her 40s and sporting a huge white hat, wound down her window.
"Is this the place where you get your blood pressure examined?" she asked in Cantonese, pointing to the tents set up for the function. Her tone was rather anxious and she couldn't seem to care that she could be blocking traffic flow.
"Errr... yes, it is," I responded and must be subconsciously looking at my watch, hoping she could sense I was already running late.
"Crazy woman!" she said with huge relief. And before the irony sank in on me, she went on to explain: "One woman just now told me that this is where the elderly get their blood pressure checked. After that, they will chip in money for their own funeral expenses when they die."
"No, no, it's not," was all I could summon, still in a daze and before I knew it, she had sped off.
Ah... just another day of fire-fighting (of a different kind!) and a better understanding of the depth of human gullibility.
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