In the name of Justice

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Rocky

Shanghai Stephen

Nuraina A. Samad

Tony Yew

Yang Berblog Jeff Ooi

Zorro  

Malik Imtiaz

CJCM

Shar101

X-Eyed Jules

 

The sleepy Putrajaya woke up today with footsteps of thousands of lawyers, political activists and bloggers  gathering at the foot of the Palace of Justice. Some of my fellow members of the Malaysian Bar arrived as early as 9.30 a.m to walk the talk.

Some parked their cars as far as the Immigration Department and continued on foot to reach the Palace. I was informed that buses ferrying lawyers from Jalan Raja were instructed to leave the buses. The instruction did not deter them in any way as they continued the journey by walking as far as 5 kilometres under the scorching morning sun to reach the Palace.

The crowd thronged the Palace and together they marched to the Prime Minister’s office after a short speech from the Bar Council’s President. The distance from the Palace to the Prime Minister’s office is about 1.5 kilometre. I kid you not!

Scores of FRU trucks, police patrol cars and noisy choppers could be seen throughout the Walk. But walk the talk they did: without fear or hesitation. In the words of the Bar Council President, “when lawyers are walking, something is seriously wrong!“

Hats off to the man in the picture above. He single-handedly encouraged the motorists to honk away in support of the Walk. Well, the poster should read “honk” instead of “horn” but then again who the heck cares? The motorists did honk away in support of the walking crowd.

The rain came pouring shortly after the crowd reached the Prime Minister’s office to submit the memorandum. Even heavy rain could not dampen their indomitable spirits for they continued to chant away “we want justice!“

I was overwhelmed by the spirits. I was elated by the cause they are fighting for. If my boy decided to be part of the Malaysian Bar in the future, I know I have done something good for him and his generation.

Kudos Malaysian Bar!

*Purpose of the Walk of Justice is explained in my previous posting – Penguin March. Will update later after fellow bloggers upload their photos and posting*

 

Penguin March

[Update as at 5.16 p.m. from Haris Ibrahim: No dress code for non-lawyers. Come as you are. However, Rocky thinks we should be in black and white to show solidarity with the lawyers. Thank you Haris, I stand corrected]

Oh! I don’t always agree with Bar Council and its sometimes-bizarre idea. But this time it’s different as it involves the judiciary. In the wake of the controversial video clip hinting on the judicial impropriety involving a prominent lawyer and a senior judge, the Bar Council has called upon its members and public to join the Walk for Justice on 26th September 2007 at 11.00 a.m.

The Walk for Justice will start from the majestic Palace of Justice to the Prime Minister’s office where they will submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister urging for an immediate establishment of the Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate the allegations in the video clip. I haven’t an inkling of how far this walk is going to be but I must admit that I am not a keen walker myself.

I previously blog about the independence of the judiciary or lack thereof here in Malaysia. Please click here. The judiciary must always hold itself distinct from the arms of executive and legislative. The judiciary must also be free from any political pressures. The stringent requirement for the judiciary to be independent is to enable judges to decide the case before them impartially, on the basis of facts and in accordance with the law without any influences, pressures or inducement from any quater. Damn, law is so mundane, I wonder how I managed to finish law school in the first place!

Personally, I think this is not the first time that the judiciary is being seriously undermined. The sacking of Tun Salleh Abas as Lord President in 1988 has, without a doubt, compromised the independence of the judiciary.

Let’s walk the talk and help restore the faith in our judiciary. In the words of Harris Ibrahim of People’s Parliament -

“Return the judiciary to the rakyat”

Of course, you are required to observe a certain dress code for the march: please put on that hideous penguin outfit!

I kid you not!

While the whole nation is still in shock over the abduction and brutal killing of the young Nurin Jazlin Jazimin, Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan is now considering to charge her parents under the provision of Children Protection Act 2001. I kid you not.

When I first read about it, I thought the press must have misuderstood his statement. Unfortunately, the joke is on me. They are seriously investigating the conduct of Nurin’s parents which may tantamount to negligence under the said Act.

The IGP said that parents who neglect the safety of the children can be charged according to the Act. Section 33 of the Act provides for a fine up to RM5000 or a maximum two-year jail term or both for parents found quilty of leaving their children. I read this statement in utter disbelief. His lack of compassion is appaling.

Have they not suffered enough that we must add to their misery? I am sure the grieving father of three who drives a cab for a living can pay the RM5000 fine and serve a two-year jail sentence without a problem. You are just doing your job; I understand that.

However, the investigations on Nurin’s parents are in line with the law. Or at least Nazri Aziz thinks so. Read about it here.

Sadly, I have to agree with Nuraina A.Samad – not because she is a friend of mine but she does have a valid point of argument. Nurin’s case has indeed gone too far. If they really pressed charges on Nurin’s parents – I rest my case. What is the point of fighting a lost cause?

But Mr. IGP, before I found the law, I first found compassion, decency and humanity. What about you Sir?

Tears in Heaven

[UPDATE: Nurin's parents accepted the fact that the body found in a bag is their daughter due to overwhelming scientific evidence found by the police. Click here.]

Late yesterday afternoon, an incessant beep from my motorola pierced the thoughts in my  head. An old friend sent me a text message I will never forget: “Jane Doe is Nurin!” My heart sank a million times. In a cruel twist of fate, Nurin Jazlin went up to heaven to be with God. In the heart of my hearts, I am eternally grateful to know that she suffers no more.

I silently said a prayer for her. I believe in science and of course, I believe in DNA. My heart goes out to Nurin’s parents and family. No parents should outlive their children – so I was told. I hope the second DNA test will give Nurin’s parents the closure they badly need.

I tried to compose this posting since last night but to no avail. Anger and despair overwhelmed me.

Dear God, why her?

To the pepertrator of the despicable act: I hope you die a thousand painful deaths in this life and after. I hope God bestows upon you the same pain you subjected her to. And for as long as I live, Nurin Jazrin will always be in my prayers.

Al-Fatihah.

To Farah Nellia Mohd Faizal, Nurul Ariesya Ezhar Fahim, Nur Aishah Mahadi, Aishah, Nur Dinie Sani Hasrul Sani, Kak Ngah, Zahra Syakira Zairul Hisham, Iman Amani Azmi, Tatiana Zainal Remy, Shahirah Mohd Asri, Dina Nazman, Qistina Reza, Qistina & Irina my nieces, unborn Lufty’s girl, Sofia Darwina and the names I untentionally left out here: stay where your parents can see you and don’t, ever, talk to strangers.

Cries for justice can be heard from Nuraina A Samad, Pasquale, Acciaccatura, Zorro, Marina, Typhoonsue, Galadriel, Tony SUP, Raden Galoh and Rocky. 

Prayers for the little Jane Doe

As a mother, my heart goes out to the little Jane Doe found in a bag yesterday. What is wrong with the world today? A close friend of mine, Basyirah Anuar, from a prominent law firm in Damansara Heights and a mother of two herself wrote me an email this morning. She laments -

“… I am (also) depressed knowing that the safety of your children (and mine!) is at stake.  I am depressed because my children will grow up in fear and taught to be fearful. I long for the days when we roam free in the playground which was miles away from home; I long for the freedom to feel safe and secure; I miss the times when we are able to be in the park till midnight and enjoy the stars. Tell me how do I teach Aisyah and Adam…don’t fear, reach out for the stars? And how many lives do we rob till we understand that children too are entitled to live in a secure and safe environment? Please, just tell me how?”

For the first time in fourteen years of friendship, I could not answer her. I am leaving the office shortly to be where I belong: home. I am going to hug Luqman tight and tell him to always look out for his safety as these evil monsters are still looming free in our compassionate society. It matters not that he would not understand a single word of it; I just have to tell him.

My heart also goes out to Nurin’s parents. Our prayers are with you. Fellow bloggers and friends, please help find Nurin Jazrin. Please click on this blog. In the meantime, let us continue praying for her safe return. Amin.

The Blogging CEO

The NST is turning the table around about blogging. Through columnist Tengku Zafrul, CEO of Tune Money.com, the NST seems to be taking a positive and friendly attitude on blogging. I don’t need to explain about Tune Money, Google is after all, at your disposal.

In his Sunday column, he writes about the social portal – Facebook – and his recent decision to join the blogging bandwagon. What more, he is actually looking forward to put up a new posting each time. Click here for actual posting from him.

Would Tengku Zafrul now be labelled a liar? A goblok? Of course not, he is after all an NST columnist  and CEO of Tune Money. Wonder if Tengku Zafrul is aware that NST has nothing but contempt for most bloggers, especially the Malaysian socio-politico bloggers.

But as advocates of freedom of speech we welcome you to the blogging world.

We all love to write, the only difference between you and me is that your writings get to be published in the pro-government newspapers whereas mine ends here.

Hey, its nothing personal. I am sure you are indeed an awesome individual. Peace brother!

And all the best.