No amendments needed to make jail term mandatory for reckless driving

January 30, 2012 in News and Current Affairs by benedict

One of the most common issues being talked about, particularly during the festive seasons like Chinese New Year and Hari Raya would most likely be the likes of road accidents. Ops Sikap, which is in its 25th edition has over the years failed to curb the rising road accidents especially in the highways when Malaysians are travelling back to their respective hometowns. In fact, the latest edition saw an increase of road fatalities which have raised a lot of concern among Malaysians.

Hence, the government is looking into imposing a mandatory jail sentence for anyone caught for reckless driving that caused accidents resulting in death. Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha, the Transport Minister said that the government is heavily considering imposing the law and that this could well be the main deterrence for Malaysian drivers from driving recklessly. Whether or not the penalty could well be effective remains to be seen but with all efforts having fallen on deaf ears, this would perhaps be the best last resort action for now. Read the rest of this entry →

Cyber Crime in Malaysia

January 30, 2012 in References by benedict

According to Cyber Security Malaysia, cyber crime in Malaysia is still very new and there are yet to be any clear cut statements on what constitutes these crimes. The national cyber security specialist centre has been busy with dealing with technical glitches and internet security issues all this while but the rising problems with ‘human behaviour’ which is harder to define and stipulate provides a whole new dimension of problems.

Adli Abdul Wahid, the vice-president of Cyber Security said that legal and ethical issues are the latest string of issues that they have to deal with and many are not aware that they have committed cyber crimes without knowing. Here is some of the things that you might have done that could put in some legal trouble. Read the rest of this entry →

Better transparency with need EC reforms

December 23, 2011 in News and Current Affairs by benedict

The recent proactive move by the EC (Election Commission) that made some changes to the electoral process has brought about some positive reviews. In fact, it has been said to have created more transparency which have been needed all this while. Among the most significant move by the EC is the confirmation of using indelible ink, a call which have been demanded since the last general election.

This was part of the recommendation made by the PSC (Parliamentary Select Committee) which also include many others and it is now confirmed which means it is a step in many to ensure a fairer and more transparent electoral process. This move is very much welcomed considering that there have always been allegations of electoral fraud using the old pencil and marking system. Read the rest of this entry →

Release of PSM6 was goodwill of police

August 2, 2011 in News and Current Affairs by benedict

The recent release of the 6 members of the PSM (Parti Sosialis Malaysia) has caused many politicians to manipulate the situation for political mileage. Known as the PSM6, those detained were Dr Michael Jeyakuma, the Member of Parliament of Sungai Siput PSM deputy president M. Sarasvathy, Sungai Siput branch secretary A.P. Letchumanan, branch president M. Sukumaran, Bayan Baru branch president Choo Chon Kai and Youth chief R. Saratbabu.
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JMM hit out at Bar Council for prejudiced political stand

August 2, 2011 in News and Current Affairs by benedict

The Malaysian Bar Council was recently slammed for its ‘biased’ political stand. This came in the wake of a recent peaceful protest by the JMM (Jaringan Melayu Malaysia) which was held to condemn the Bar Council for its prejudiced stand as well as its failure to carry out its professional duties as the body of the legal profession. Azwanddin Hamzah, the president of JMM said that during the peaceful protest, they tried to send in their memorandum but were not allowed to meet anyone at the council.

They were then ordered by the security personnel there to leave their memorandum at the front desk which demands a response in a week’s time. He also said that the JMM had proof that some of the members of the council were aligned to political parties and this information will be revealed if the council fail to response in the given time frame. JMM is with the stand that the Bar Council should not be aligned to any political party and instead should be independent so that they are able to safeguard the interest of the people. Apart from the explanation, JMM is also demanding the Bar to issue a public apology to the people for its prejudiced stand.

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Freedom of Information Act welcomed, but purchase of arms should be excluded

August 1, 2011 in News and Current Affairs by benedict

Khairy Jamaluddin, the Umno Youth Chief said that he is in support for the proposed FOI (Freedom of Information) Act although there are certain areas, for instance the procurement of arms that should be excluded from the Act. He said that while it is important that transparency of such information be preserved and practiced, in the interest of national security, the purchase of arms and its related information will only bring more harm than good. Read the rest of this entry →

2 women in Johor gets ‘married’ in traditional Chinese wedding, what about the law?

August 1, 2011 in News and Current Affairs by benedict

Malaysia saw the first publicised same gender marriage recently. Reported in a Chinese daily, the couple from Batu Pahat received the blessings from their friends and families where they underwent a full Chinese traditional marriage last week. They were known as Thomas and Apple, aged 29 and 27 respectively. Read the rest of this entry →

Resolution over moratorium on death penalty agreed in roundtable

July 12, 2011 in News and Current Affairs by benedict

It has been agreed in a recent roundtable discussion in Parliament for a resolution to call for an immediate moratorium on the mandatory death penalty. It was to call for a review of the capital punishment by a Parliamentary caucus.

The caucus will be made up of experts in the legal industry including lawyers, former judges, Non-governmental organisations as well as related stakeholders and parties. Representatives from some related NGOs and some members of the legal fraternity met at the roundtable discussion in Parliament recently where they agreed that there will be more discussions and talks on this issue with prominence given for the drug offences and related crimes. Read the rest of this entry →

Tanah Tumpahnya Darahku

July 11, 2011 in Blog by benedict

“Are you ready to die for the country?” I asked as I walked together with Simeon heading from Mirama Hotel on Jalan Maharajalela to Petaling Street.   My honest answer to my question was – No. I don’t believe I should die now. When I’m only 24. There is so. much. more that I want and believe I can do for my country.   “But what if it takes bloodshed for people to wake up? What if we were the ones to go – so that people will finally realize the need for change?” was Simeon’s reply.   …   I drove home on Thursday night. And this motorcyclist was in rage, thinking I was going to endanger his life. He drove so quickly, honking the whole way.. and as he approached my car, he bent over and shouted at the top of his lungs at me.   Wow, I thought. If this was how it’s like when there’s NO rally, I cannot imagine what would happen on July 9th.   I thought of chickening out.   …   I flip-flopped the entire 8th of July. To go, or not to go? Every time somebody asked me if I was going, I flashed them a nervous smile.   Read the rest of this entry →

Malaysia Bar Council calls for democratic rights be protected, not threatened

July 8, 2011 in News and Current Affairs by benedict

The Malaysian Bar Council has issued a statement to call for the democratic rights of Malaysians be protected and promoted instead of being stifled as currently done. It is regretted that the government has been clamping down on the freedom of movement, expression and assembly on certain groups in the past week related to the Bersih 2.0 rally scheduled for July 9. The council said that the authorities have been cracking down the groups in a ‘wanton, unjustified and wholly disproportionate’ manner. Read the rest of this entry →