I read with interest the latest prosecution of Kim Hong-Up, the second son of current South Korean President Kim Dae-Jung, on charges of corruption and tax evasion. This came on the heels of the prosecution of his younger brother, Kim Hong-Gul, on similar charges.

The fact that these were sons of a president who was formerly in the opposition, a former recipient of the Nobel peace prize and came on board as a president who was intent on fighting graft made the irony of the situation more pronounced.

The big difference between South Korea and Malaysia (other than the fact that we won't qualify let alone get into the semifinals of the World Cup anytime soon) is that even sons of presidents can be put in jail for a criminal offence.

In Malaysia, sons, fathers, daughters, brothers, sisters and just about anyone closely related to high ranking politicians are automatically exempted from prosecution. Indeed some would even say that this amounts to some sort of royal immunity albeit a kind that is not found anywhere in the constitution.

Even the royal immunity, once guaranteed by the constitution, has been amended. But de facto political immunity remains.

When the close relatives of our political leaders seem to get away with just about anything, is it surprising that the rakyat would take note of this trend and behaviour and try to emulate them?

When we complain that the civil service, the police and other institutions are corrupt, do we take a moment to examine the behaviour of our leaders and their close relatives and find that we shouldn't be surprised at the current state of affairs in these public institutions?

When even the relatives of leaders and even leaders themselves are not safe from the long arm of the law, only then will there be credibility and trust in our system of government.

The tale of the two Kims have taught ordinary Koreans an important lesson — that the truth will catch up with you, sooner or later. When will ordinary Malaysian's learn this lesson?