Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Rule of Law

"For as in absolute governments the king is law, so in free countries the law ought to be king; and there ought to be no other."
- Thomas Payne (1776)

Perhaps my apparent lethargy and tardiness in blogging may just be par for the course. I see some of my ex journo peers are now also simply doing c&p of published online news material. Sheeesh.

But we cannot really blame them. The reason must surely be that all these happenings on the political front are getting a bit tiresome, old bean. All that mindless talk of derhaka against the Sultan and news reports, here, that the new Perak state government is consulting an English QC for help in the constitutional crisis confirms and points to what we have been saying all along ...

Its simply a matter of the rule of law, stupid.

That the lawmakers themselves do not seem to quite comprehend this must surely be very bewildering and mind boggling to some and gets my goat.

My old friend Capt. Gian Singh Sehmi sent me this old joke which I think is still relevant and funny:

One day a florist goes to a barber for a haircut. After the cut he asked about his bill and the barber replies, "I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week." The florist was pleased and left the shop.

When the barber goes to open his shop the next morning there is a 'thank you' card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door.

Later, a policeman comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the barber again replies, "I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week." The cop is happy and leaves the shop.

The next morning when the barber goes to open up there is a 'thank you' card and a dozen donuts waiting for him at his door.

Later that day, a college professor comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the barber again replies, "I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week." The professor is very happy and leaves the shop.

The next morning when the barber opens his shop, there is a 'thank you' card and a dozen different books, such as 'How to Improve Your Business' and 'Becoming More Successful.'

Then, a Member of Parliament comes in for a haircut, and when he goes to pay his bill the barber again replies, "I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week." The Member of Parliament is very happy and leaves the shop.

The next morning when the barber goes to open up, there are a dozen Members of Parliament all lined up waiting for a free haircut!

And that, my friends, illustrates the fundamental difference between the citizens of our country and the Members of Parliament.

9 comments:

  1. Capt,

    Our lawmakers don't make new laws nor do they refine the existing ones.

    Rather, they just mess up it up to justify their positions and salaries, for as long as possible.

    Going BACK to England for help is a classic example of unaccountable sovereignty.

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  2. Baa haa haa..... gud one! Gud day to u 2 u sir

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  3. Jokes at the expense of lawyers and now politicians. Haha! I happened to be in both categories in choice of profession but not in the same category as the jokes...

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  4. Agreed. There are too many outlaws and in-laws out there for the liking of law-abiding people like us.

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  5. As far as I know they denied sending their team to London. As usual denial syndrome is very much alive & kicking ...It is a simple case of breaking the law, not ordinary law but the constitution, the supreme law. Just show us under which article of the Perak constitution the Sultan derives his power to sack the MB.

    frm: non lawyer

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  6. You hit the nail squarely, captain.
    You might be interested in postings by Sakmongkol (my sidebar):

    Mr.PKNP sir, soalan tambahan.(24 Feb)
    Again! PKNP and its O&G Industrial Park (26 Feb)
    Kind of like PKFZ revisited.

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  7. The joke describes our politicians very well.

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  8. Dear Captain.

    This is a wonderful story.

    The moral of the story is that Members of Parliament only know how to exploit and take advantage of people's kindness. They don't know how to be kind and considerate themselves. In other words, they are just selfish people.

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  9. Dear Captain,

    Great to see you at Quality Hotel, Shah Alam when all gathered to hear his Amanat Harapan to PKR MPs, ADUNs and general body.I thought my boss, as usual, delivered a brutally frank speech to make us get cracking as there is no time left for frivolity and celebration. It is time to make action speak louder than words.

    I am quite disgusted with what is happening in Perak which has become ungovernable as a result of a decision by the ruler of the state to allow a BN political coup.

    It would have been easier if perakians are allowed to decide who should govern after a snap election. All this derhaka bit is to me way over the top UMNO "gangster" politics under the protection of the Royalty. But I hope, the impasse can be resolved soon.--Din Merican.

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