Rozario in his article dated 1 April published in Malaysiakini wrote "to Chang, all I can say is "sow what you reap" by his indifference during the sacking of Salleh Abas, this so-called prominent and experienced lawyer decided that silence was bliss, so to him I say, "Matthias, you were party to making this bed so do not complain when you lie on it."
Rozario where have you been? You should get your facts correct before you comment on matters of which you are ignorant and on Matthias. It is on record and public knowledge that Matthias opposed Mahathir's interference with the judiciary. He was one of the few lawyers who openly opposed Mahathir's sacking of Salleh Abas, the than Lord President of the Supreme Court of Malaysia. He played a critical role in defending the judiciary in general and Salleh Abas in particular at that time. Many prominent lawyers including Justice Eusoffe Abdoolcader commended Matthias for the stand he took. So, Mr Rozario, please get your facts right if you wish to be seen as an objective opinion writer and not a gutter journalist spreading lies to defame. For Rozario to describe the judge who committed Matthias to jail as "brave" shows a total lack of objectivity and a perverted mindset who is bent on discrediting Matthias.
Matthias is not a member of any political party and has campaigned against injustice all his life. In 2000 he was invited to be Mahathir's political secretary because of his untainted reputation as an independent-minded professional, not aligned to any political party, who is prepared to speak his mind and stand up to Mahathir as demonstrated in the Salleh Abas case. He accepted the role during the last three years of Mahathir's premiership out of a sense of duty and service to the country, with the aim of doing good by providing objective advice to Mahathir, with no expectations of any favours and overt or covert rewards. The key role of a non-partisan political secretary is to provide non-partisan objective advice. This does not necessarily entail compromising one's principles.
Lahore San, also in Malaysiakini, commented that "he (Chang) was a beneficiary of this system", implying that Matthias benefited from his role as political secretary to Mahathir. One can try to do good for our country by either working within or outside the establishment. It is a sad reflection of our country that it is assumed that whoever works within the establishment is there primarily for personal gain. To date Matthias is still known as ordinary Enche (Mr) Chang, with no titles, still living in the same house, driving the same type of car, and having the same lifestyle as he did before he was political secretary to Mahathir. If Matthias has benefited overtly or covertly, his enemies - and there are many, especially within the establishment - would be exposing his ill-gotten gains. So, Mr San, produce some evidence.
Like many who know Matthias, I salute his courageous stand. By the way I am very proud that Matthias is my cousin. We are as close as brothers and I write with in-depth knowledge of my dearest cousin.
Stephen Chang
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(In case anyone wonders why I am taking a personal interest in Matthias Chang's predicament, he acted for us successfully in an eviction case up to the then Supreme Court hearing. This is the least I can do to help highlight his side of the story.)
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2 comments:
Many miss the point. Our disgust with Mahathir and Matthias's blind support of the 'evil one' is behind the enmity that is shown to him.
However, justice is the right of every Malaysian even someone as screwed up as Matthias. There is much disquiet over the behaviour of certain judges and the Chief Justice would do well for the overall image of the judiciary to bring these judges to task.
AS for Stephen Chang, I feel for you and the whole Chang family. There are however many forms of corruption and material gain is only one of them. The desire for power or to be close to the rich and powerful is no less insidious. Matthias has alienated many right thinking Malaysians in his blind loyalty to people who have destroyed and subverted key instituitions and values of this country including the due process of the law.
Matthias's antics to many seem more to do with grandstanding rather than solving the problem of errant judges. It may unfortunately lead to a closing of ranks and a defence of the errant judge. While sad, it therefore not surprising there is very little sympathy for poor Matthias as the public in general have forgotten his past exploits- his vigorous protest against the sacking of Tun Salleh Abas and his early opposition to Mahathir.
All we remember is a brilliant twisted mind that is bent on convincing us that Mahathir's rule of iron, political expediency at the expense of what is decent and good and previously unseen levels of corruption should NOT be consigned to dustbin of history.
OPEN APPEAL TO MATTHIAS
Dear Matthias
I hope you are well on the road to a full recovery.While I would not wish what you went through on anyone, I hope it gave you some opportunity on genuine reflection. Malaysians are generally a caring lot but I am sure the public apathy and disinterest for what you went through is a reflection of the contempt they have for Mahathir Mohamad. I am writing this letter to appeal to you as a Catholic and a Malaysian. Put aside your intellectual ego and ditch Mahathir and the evil he represents. In the name of God and for the good of this country, please put your considerable intellect to genuinely serve the interests of justice, to serve the ordinary Malaysian whether Malay or non Malay who feels cheated by successive Governments. Abandon this vendetta against sleepy head Badawi which is really to divert attention away from the substantial wrongs of his predecessor's 22 years of misrule. Call a spade a spade. Mahathir and his cronies(including Anwar and Daim)did much wrong in Malaysia and can be blamed for much of the mess we are in.
This country needs your dedication.Forget Saul and remember Paul.
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