Saturday 9 May 2009

Happy Wesak! Respect My Speech!


Today we have the Chief Pirates of Malaysia wishing all Buddhists a Happy Wesak, extolling the virtues of Buddhism, Buddhists and their organizations. To add insult to this injury, they would at the same time try to draw parallels with the Umno/BN regime which stands diametrically opposed to anything that preaches virtue.

Incidently, I had a very vivid dream last night - after reading some "stories" on the internet. There was this grand old man who was the head of the family & clan, who had returned home for a yearly celebration. He was much revered by his children and all members of the clan.

As per protocol in this traditional family,
all of them gave him a warm welcome with much pomp and splendour. This year though, he came with company - a new concubine (that's a polite way of saying "whore") supplied by the thugs/pimps who worked "for him" in his vast business empire.

Before he took his seat at the head of the table, in full view of the whole clan, he got his bodyguards to drag the mother to his children (who objected to his philandering) by the hair- out of the dining hall amidst much protests from his children, and approval & praises from his bastard children. The concubine then took the seat of the mother to his legitimate children, beside him.
Meanwhile prior to the customary speech (no - it wasn't an officiating speech)before the meal, the bastard son said grace, thanking God for the food on the table.
When the children protested once again, with much composure and "grace" he warned them with his arms around the whore,
"If you want to remain here & work with me, Respect my speech!"

That was my dream - I then woke up to this "Happy Wesak Day"!
BTW, Najib & Hishamudin are the Santa Claus & Santarina ......

Police mockery of right to legal access


THE Malaysian Bar strongly condemns the arrest last night of five lawyers at the Brickfields police station who were there to represent their clients.

We are shocked and disgusted by this blatant transgression of the rule of law. By their action, the police personnel in question have demonstrated utter disrespect and blatant disregard for the criminal justice system that they are duty-bound to uphold and protect. They have violated the specific provisions in the Criminal Procedure Code guaranteeing access to lawyers. Although there is an exception to this provision, it cannot by any stretch of the imagination be turned into a right to arrest lawyers who are waiting to render legal representation to their clients.

The police action makes an absolute mockery of the constitutional right to legal representation and is a travesty of justice. We call on the Inspector-General of Police to immediately explain this gross abuse of police power.

This unprecedented conduct by the police has far-reaching consequences. It means arrested persons can be denied access to their lawyers without challenge. And when their lawyers are denied access and are forced to wait outside the police station, the lawyers themselves are at risk of arrest.

We acknowledge all our colleagues who have come to the aid and defence of those arrested by the police simply because they have chosen to exercise their fundamental right to assemble peaceably.

We salute our colleagues from the Kuala Lumpur Legal Aid Centre — Fadiah Nadwa Fikri, Murnie Hidayah Anuar, Puspawati Rosman, Ravinder Singh Dhalliwal and Syuhaini Safwan — who, without regard for their own safety and well-being, voluntarily went to the aid of those arrested, only to be arrested themselves. They have exhibited great courage and by their actions have demonstrated the highest standards of the Malaysian Bar. Their exemplary sense of duty and professionalism stands in stark contrast to the despicable conduct of the police.

Ragunath Kesavan
President
Malaysian Bar