How should we judge a government?

In Malaysia, if you don't watch television or read newspapers, you are uninformed; but if you do, you are misinformed!

"If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing." - Malcolm X

Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience - Mark Twain

Why we should be against censorship in a court of law: Publicity is the very soul of justice … it keeps the judge himself, while trying, under trial. - Jeremy Bentham

"Our government is like a baby's alimentary canal, with a happy appetite at one end and no
responsibility at the other. " - Ronald Reagan

Government fed by the people

Government fed by the people

Career options

Career options
I suggest government... because nobody has ever been caught.

Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?

Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?
Corruption is so prevalent it affects English language?

When there's too much dirt...

When there's too much dirt...
We need better tools... to cover up mega corruptions.

Prevent bullying now!

Prevent bullying now!
If you're not going to speak up, how is the world supposed to know you exist? “Orang boleh pandai setinggi langit, tapi selama ia tidak menulis, ia akan hilang di dalam masyarakat dan dari sejarah.” - Ananta Prameodya Toer (Your intellect may soar to the sky but if you do not write, you will be lost from society and to history.)

Friday, August 31, 2012

When judges were bowled over...

they have set a precedent in law which has serious implications. It means any man who can afford Rm25,000 and has a 'bright' future and had consensual sex with a minor, he is likely to escape jail sentence when he commits statutory rape.

Just days after the judgment by the Court of Appeal judges involving national bowler who was deemed to have a bright future (never mind many people commented he is no longer fit to represent our country), an electrician was bound over at Rm25,000 (see the same amount?) after he was found guilty of statutory rape by a Sessions Court judge. She considered defence's reasons that 'he was young, a dropout and there was consensual sex'. Many people feel the recent judgments looked at the men's side favourably without due consideration for the under-aged girls. There must have been good reasons for statutory rape which provides for mandatory jail sentence. The judges role is to uphold the law and not be influenced by other considerations. If the law is deemed bad, then it is up to the lawmakers to change the provisions of this particular law.

I can imagine a rich young man fooling around with under-aged girls, and when caught with evidence of statutory rape, he can easily get away from being jailed based on the precedents set. Either he or his rich parents can easily afford Rm25,000 and his 'bright' future easily be verified if he is due to inherit his parent's successful business.

Just to show how controversial this matter is, the links in Malaysiakini alone on this particular subject today are as follows:
When a child is still a child
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/207598
Twitterjaya: Statutory rape is no child's play
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/207599
Father of 13-year-old: What if it's your daughter?
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/207566
Statutory rape: 'Can a child consent to sex?'
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/207473
Consensual? What then is statutory rape?
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/207475
Consent can be factor in statutory rape, says lawyer
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/207474
From the letters section (free):
We need to protect our children from rape
http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/207571
Statutory rapes: Film censorship board wiser
http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/207569
Statutory rape cases: Who is the law protecting?
http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/207430


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