It would of course be better if the person in question refrained from committing the violation, something that often leads to punishment and fines. It is relevant to mention the saying: Behind every misbehavior there may be some good intention. What this means is that any person who has the slightest amount of reason, responsibility and a sense of belonging to the land where he was born and raised will not allow himself to do that which would inflict harm on himself or others, or in the least will not behave in a way that would lead to him being held financially accountable before the government or any other authority.

Why do citizens break the law? This is a question that I often ask and for which I seek reasonable answers. For me this is a matter that needs to be studied by relevant government organs, particularly city municipalities given many people directly deal with them and they get the lion’s share of the fines that citizens are made to pay.

It is thus common sense that municipalities should not have a free hand when people’s properties and rights are concerned. People should be consulted and treated decently. It should also be taken into account that municipal councils are there to represent and stand up for people. For example, municipalities should not compel the owners of buildings to paint their properties in colors that they are uncomfortable with.

If municipalities were to coordinate with municipal councils and consult members of the public, then they would indeed make considerable gains and achieve their objectives without losing hearts and minds. On the contrary, when municipalities begin handing out orders, and threatening people with punishment and fines then it becomes necessary for them to reconsider how they manage themselves and strive to understand the communities they were established to serve.

A man who can afford spacious accommodation, fulfill all of his family needs but still breaks the law must be mentally ill or suffering from an inferiority complex.

People who lived in areas that came under the Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Housing Project went on to illegally build homes due to problems with the city’s authorities and the companies that had been handed out construction projects. Around 2,000 people broke municipality rules at that time.

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