I refer to the Malaysiakini report, 6 months jailed, RM 3,000 fine for cop biting MP .

George Orwell in his classic book Animal Farm wrote in one chapter "All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others". Considering the unequal treatment of people who commit crime in this country by the authorities, one can conclude that what the author wrote during his time rings true even today.

An opposition MP was sentenced to six months jail and a fine of RM3,000 for allegedly biting a policeman. This might result in another by-election in his constituency if the high court affirmed his sentence.

A prominent lawyer who was implicated in the "fixing" of senior judges in the judiciary was not charged in court because the Attorney General office says that there was no strong evidence to implicate him in the judicial scandals that have besmirched the judiciary.

These two contrasting actions by the authorities smacks of double standards when it comes to the enforcement of the law against the rich and powerful and those who sit on the opposite side of parliament.

Past records had shown that the authorities would come down hard on opposition lawmakers with a whiff of scandals involving them but turn a blind eye when it involved government lawmakers and their cronies.

Enforcement agencies, which should work without fear and favour, have been used by the present regime to crush the opposition into submission while government machineries and funds are used like "ATM" machines in order to win votes comes any election time.

Prominent people are above the law, which is only applied to the laymen who commit criminal act like graft and abuse of power. No wonder our country seems to losing its edge in attracting foreign investments as foreigners feels that our judiciary is not free from executive influences.

The yearly auditor's report shows billions of taxpayers hard earned money was lost through leakages and high price paid for government assets. This proves that rules and regulations for procurement of government assets are not adhered to by those entrusted with the responsibilities.

But surprisingly, no top officials who were implicated in misdeeds were charged in court and every year the audit report will "sing" the same song without any improvement by those in charge to stop the leakage from draining future.

As long as those high officials who has skimmed public funds by dubious means are not hauled up to court for their misdeeds, don't expect any improvement in our ranking for being one of the most corrupt countries in the world.

Our government never learns. When will they listen to the common people's grouses about endemic corruptions and abuse of power, which have affected the marginalised?

Or should our people be in perpetual poverty as long as those holding the fort make hay while the sun shines? The choice is up to us to make come election time.