YOURSAY | ‘It is somewhat ridiculous to hold that breaking bread together is acceptable, but not breaking into dance.’

Be consistent on judiciary, AG 'dancing' with executive - Nik Nazmi

Vijay47: Truth be told, when I first read about the dance controversy, there was this fleeting moment of discomfort that two institutions expected to stand separately had been indulging in unwelcome fraternising - the executive waltzing too closely with the judiciary.

However, when my calmer mind prevailed, I realised that the event had no call for criticism. But let me first get rid of any notion usually harboured by PAS and Umno that the dance itself was objectionable, with or without left feet.

The occasion was a non-political dinner celebrating the launch of the 2019 legal year, which members from the three wings of government attended.

Surprisingly, what seems to have disturbed many was not the participants dining together but that they had also danced together.

These days, celebrations come in a package, a dinner followed by a dance. Thus, it is somewhat ridiculous to hold that breaking bread together is acceptable, but not breaking into dance.

It should be equally obvious to all that the festivities were done in the open, under the gaze of everybody. The event was not some surreptitious jaunt to the cooling shade of Mount Cook.

But I do have a complaint – instead of doing a Chubby Checker, attorney-general Tommy Thomas should have done the Floss.

Anonymous_1533001722: PKR leadership council member Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, you said the leaders of the judiciary and executive can dance and interact as they like at a private event, but not so at a public event.

This displays your ignorance of what is right and what is wrong, and that is the problem here. These individuals, with the offices they hold here, have to conduct themselves properly in public and more importantly, in private as well. Because integrity is what happens even when nobody is looking.

Dancing together at a law event attended by the colleagues they work with daily is hardly a forum for concern.

Nik Nazmi, go and take a course to understand corruption, perceptions and what doing the right thing means. It is nothing to do with a social interaction which happens in front of hundreds of people.

Jeez: Much as we dislike the ulterior motives of some people in bringing up this dancing episode, we have to differentiate between right and wrong.

In this case, it is not appropriate behaviour for instilling confidence in the separation of powers between the judiciary and the executive.

We need these criticisms to rein in those in power. As we all know, there will be big-headed leaders who will abuse their powers if there are no restraints. We have seen what happens during BN’s tenure where one thing leads to another.

Let the Pakatan Harapan government know that all are watching them, including their supporters.

TehTarik: Nik Nazmi, please check your facts before commenting. You are trying to compare a durian with a mangosteen.

Former attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali was wearing official BN attire and dancing at a BN-sponsored event with five other BN ministers.

This is in contrast to the attorney-general and chief justice mingling and enjoying themselves at a function organised by a non-political professional body.

Gerard Lourdesamy: Indeed, these three stooges from Umno, PKR and PAS should be reminded that this was a private dinner and dance hosted by the Sabah Law Society to mark the opening of the legal year in Sabah and Sarawak.

The judges, attorney-general and lawyers did not attend the function to discuss fixing cases, bribing judges and judicial officers, or anything else that was sinister.

The judiciary, Attorney-General’s Chambers and the Bar have very strict rules on ethics and professional conduct. In no way was the independence, impartiality and integrity of any of the parties compromised by this dinner and dance.

In fact, it is a time-honoured tradition of the Bar to host such annual events. This was not a state or national occasion where protocol and decorum dictate the conduct of the guests.

In Apandi's case, he was dancing in public with ministers at the end of the National Day parade at Dataran Merdeka. Therein lies the difference.

Umno Youth cries foul over CJ, AG seen dancing in a video

David Dass: There is a difference between then and now. The Bar, at the federal and state levels, has events at different times of the year.

At these events, the attorney-general, the judges and the law minister are invited. Lawyers, of course, attend. Those who attend usually come with their spouses or with their partners. Speeches are made, dinner is served and then there may be dancing.

The occasion is usually a happy one. Nothing untoward happens. Boundaries are respected. And the next day all go back to their respective offices and it is business as usual.

For PAS and people who think like them, dancing is haram (forbidden), laughing is haram and music is haram.

Fortunately, all do not think like them. The photos depict people who are dressed appropriately and modestly and the dance is simply men and women moving to the rhythm of the music. All are generally having a good time.

People who hold important jobs and have grave responsibilities are entitled to have a good time in a manner that is universally accepted by most people in the modern world. And it is considered important for those who uphold the law to have a cordial relationship with each other.

There is respect for the offices of each other and no lines are crossed. There is a world of difference between then and now. And everyone knows what the difference is.

New Hope: Is there nothing better to do than to make such stupid statements? It is typical of Umno knowing nothing else to do except to find fault over nothing all the time.

How about doing something constructive for a change? The country is looking for solutions to combat corruption, to run the government more efficiently, reduce wastage, tackle illegals and a host of other issues.

Come out with some workable solutions. We do not need people barking all over the place over nothing or inconsequential matters. The people need representatives who can represent them, as well as those who are thinking people with ideas to benefit the people.

Cogito Ergo Sum: Asyraf, nobody is dancing to Umno/BN’s tune anymore. They are dancing to the tune of freedom and a corruption-free New Malaysia.

It was freedom of the judicial system that was being celebrated after being emasculated by Najib Abdul Razak and Umno.

Freedom from tyranny has a song and a dance, Asyraf. A tune that you will never be able to dance to.

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