“We are journalists - not the public prosecutor nor the modern-day version of Buford Pusser, the hero in (the movie) ‘Walking Tall’. We use our pens - we do not walk around carrying a baseball bat or have holsters strapped to our hips. We are the eyes and ears of the public - and we take pride in such a role. Our job is to inform and educate. Our system does not allow Joe Public to bring about private prosecution. We merely record the wrongdoings, in the hope that the wrongdoers would be punished and public money that has been lost is recouped.”

COMMENT | More than 15 years ago, I penned these words out of frustration rather than anger.

There had been no action on several cases of misuse of power and (government) money which I exposed despite having my statement recorded by various enforcement agencies, there were no results to show.

When I wrote a commentary on the wives of Selangor assemblypersons going on lawatan sambil belajar (study trips), the police were more interested in finding the source of information than going after the wrongdoers.

Among those that were exposed was the “palace” built on land meant for low-cost housing by (the late) assemblyperson Zakaria Mat Deros, the alienation of state land in Selangor to cronies - some of whom were in their teens; the Petaling Jaya City Council’s billboard scandal; former Minister Ng Yen Yen being a permanent resident of Australia.

At that time, I had written about 600 articles and commentaries but the only consolation was that a former national gymnast was charged. Even then, the charges were later withdrawn.