'Lingam is proof of something the masses have long suspected: when a person is in a position of power, no one can find him of any wrongdoing.'
Disciplinary proceeding against Lingam on Monday
Cala: The ‘great' VK Lingam is a shame to the legal profession. In normal circumstances, the findings of the royal commission formed with the task to reprimand Lingam for his misconduct ought to have been followed by the attorney-general by charging Lingam and his cohorts for committing a criminal offence.
But when the personalities involved are too hot to handled, the system collapsed like a pack of cards. The proposed initiative from the Bar Council is indeed a laudable one in order to save the image of the profession much tainted by the ‘great' Lingam who invented his memorable exhortation: "The person in the video looks like me, sounds like me, but it is not me."
Lingam is proof of something the masses have long suspected: when a person is in a position of power, no one can find him of any wrongdoing.
Lim Chong Leong: It has taken a while for the Bar's disciplinary committee to take action. Why so slow? Is it because they need to undertake a thorough investigation like what the attorney-general said in Mohd Khir Toyo's case? Get on with it.
Magnus: On what grounds did the Court of Appeal judges decide that the three accused (mal)practitioners could legally challenge the RCI's (royal commission of inquiry) findings?
The Parliament as well as the government have the rightful powers to set up a RCI (in accordance with established procedures) if they think it necessary to investigate any matter of serious public concern and which may impinge upon a question of public or national interest.
I can understand the three accused maybe wanting to appeal to the courts on any decision made against them by the disciplinary board (by way of judicial review of the 1976 Act) but not the findings of the RCI itself.
What would be the point of setting up any royal commission of inquiry if its findings could then be challenged in a court of law? The RCI findings/recommendations do not have the force of law but they do have the necessary gravitas and the force of public opinion behind them for them to be respected and heeded and to be acted upon by the relevant authorities.
Ibrahim Ali and Muhyiddin, partners in history?
Faz: I would agree that Ketuanan Melayu is needed by Umno more than the Malays as its invention after independence is to support the position of Umno and not so much the needs of the Malays in general.
But I beg to differ in the interpretation of the NEP (New Economic Policy) implementation in the initial years. In early 70s, there were virtually very few technocrats among the Malays and whatever few available were basically tied down to government service due to the scholarships.
The Malay bureaucrats in the government and the Umno politicians were the first to realise the money-making potentials of the NEP and without the technical know-how, began to rope in non-Malays businessmen and technocrats to take up the bumiputera portions which NEP had to offer.
This gave rise to the Ali-Baba syndrome that was protected by Umno in particular as it benefited them a lot, but of course lesser in quantum to the profits by the non-Malays in the arrangement. This was the mistake that was not corrected till today.
Zimbobwe: Thank you, AB Sulaiman, for being a truth-speaker in these murky times when substandard leaders like Ibrahim Ali and Muhyiddin Yassin jostle for power and privilege using race and religion as their political weapons.
Ksn: This brilliant article is an education for all Malaysians about our history. It will be beneficial for all to understand it. Similarly, those interested in our history before or from 1400 AD should do some reading which will be even more beneficial and illuminating to many.
That knowledge will contribute to clearing the ignorance and the opening of their minds to sanity.
Not Confused: It's a great pity that we are never likely to read or hear a similarly intellectual discourse from the likes of Ibrahim Ali and Muhyiddin Yassin. Unfortunately, the opposing views are not well thought out or based on any real facts or reasoned argument. Sad really.
Limml: 'Man must have history, for without history man is nothing.' But there are those who conceal their past, disown their roots and ancestors in order to enjoy the special position in the Malaysian society.
It's 'Datuk' Teng Chang Khim now
Ferdtan: We cannot help to be cynical about the whole thing. The Selangor palace must have 'forgiven' Teng Chang Khim for his previous stand against wearing the songkok during the swearing-in of the state government assembly. From the recent statements made by the Perak, Johor and Selangor royalties, it is as clear as daylight which side of the political divide the royalties are rooting for.
Anyway, congrats to Teng - you did not request for it and were given the title by the sultan - you must accept the 'datukship' on behalf of the people of Selangor. You, as a state assembly speaker, deserve it.
Anonymous: Why accept such a title? Without it, one can earn more respect. Umno people have tainted and corrupted all these titles. I don't know what Teng Chang Khim is thinking. Is it because of glory and ego?
Nicholas Lim: Another few hundreds of 'title holders' created over night.
CarL: Teng has to just say ‘no'. But like Ngeh Koo Ham, this is the first step to follow the ways of the BN. No one can stop the process, as it will be easy to see that when power is nigh, one has a change of mind and heart, and follows the ways of the corrupt.
Non-issue: I see this as a non-event for DAP as a political party. The refusal of such conferment by a sultan by DAP will be played up by Umno as disrespecting the sultan.
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