Twirl: swirls and curls of dairy milk chocolate

Whoa...

It's been more than a year... how time flies. Getting caught up in this ratrace of work and endless KPI crap. Work is getting so frantic and everything seems to be urgent now. I can't seem to enjoy my weekends anymore either, but I'm acclimatising. I guess it's like the saying goes: "Welcome to the suck." The trick is to enjoy the situation you are in. Regardless of the crap that's being flung at you. Takes a constant effort. 

The new gimmick that entertains now is Comixology. Buy comics online and cloud it. It's cheaper and obviously saves cupboard space. I've bought a few comic series which were too expensive to buy when they first came out in the 90s. It's a wonder that they still sell them. Then again, I see that Marvel is only now bringing the 90s storylines to the cinema. It's our time now. Fuck yeah. 

Television is getting mediocre nowadays. It's like these people don't even try anymore. I remember a time when you would look forward to the Friday/Saturday/Sunday movies. Radio too. The song mixes now are just tasteless. Where's the good R&B now? Where did it go? I buy more iTunes music. Jeeez am I turning into a consumer-junkie? 

Selfies. Taking pictures of your food with filters. Ostentious. Social media is being abused. This is not what technology should be about. It should make life easier for us. Even this instant text-messaging apps now; you text whenever you want. Even during conversations with real people? C'mon...

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." 

                                                     -Mahatma Ghandi.

Word. 

1434

It's the second day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri. I'm waiting for Friday prayer time, listening to the malay station play Raya songs. They are a mixture of feel-good songs and jiwang ones. Enough to make any family get in the mood for this Raya occasion. The music is loud enough to drown out everything else.

It was mild wet weather yesterday; good enough to visit a couple of houses. Thank goodness people welcome me into their house; it's Raya right? At least I can get a good feed with some decent company during Raya. People are happy and sociable. If you come to my house, it's as if Raya is not celebrated. After the man of the house abdicated his responsibilities, it all fell apart. My mother just sits at home, staring out the window. I start to feel sorry for her, then I get angry. 

What makes Raya? The kuih? The new clothes? The movies on tv or the radio stations and their playlist? How about the mercun or the duit raya? It used to create an air of festivity for me, but now it just doesn't cut it. I'm actually touched to see families together. It's happiness just to see kids running around and goofing off :)

Everytime I go to my aunty's home for her Open House, I see her entire family there, grandkids and all. It warms my heart to see this, but also overwhelms me at the end of the day to realise what I'm missing out on. I know it's not my fault, but it still hurts. That's when I decide that I've outstayed my welcome and leave. 

My friend Fadzli spoke to me a week before Raya. What I remember is him reminding me to be happY this Raya. A simple observation. Its good advice. Half-full or half-empty, drink the water! An old friend from our days of working together.

Speaking of which, I look around and see the people I know have changed. I have changed too. But we have grown apart. Tragic but trite.  

Only 1-2 kuihs bought this year, but so what... Puasa wasn't easy this year, mixed in with trying to be a better muslim and what-not. Perhaps this is God's way of making sure I know it all takes effort. I liked going for the terawih prayers but I did 8 rakaats only. The mosque radiates with this serene feeling. The doas are different too.

I will do my best to celebrate Raya. I've come to the sudden realisation that I really can't stand anyone to give me crap anymore. I don't even bother to fight. Why is that? Probably because of my own experiences I guess. Negativity in your life should be eradicated. Why should you fill the hours in your day dealing with crap? I'm done with it. Either get even or get over it. Easier to just push it aside. After all, work itself is essentially a file of problems to solve. You don't get paid to live your personal life.

I am grateful to the families who accept me into their hearts and their homes. Those who accept me for who I am. Without them, it would be solitary. This Raya is looking good, InsyaAllah. 

Have a HappY Raya, celebrate with your loved ones, make good memories, take photos, enjoy :)

Containment

The rush-hour system that has been implemented of late has put immense pressure on lawyers all over the country. It seems that the top-management level of the Judiciary is only concerned with 1 thing: a court disposing of cases and the monthly statistics it can present. 

I spoke to someone (who works in the corporate world) about this and was told this is how things are done, immediately with no proper consutation. Fast, fast, fast!!! Sadly in the legal arena, speed is not the solution for a backlog; it merely shortens the timeline of an individual's case. It doesn't improve the client's case, or the quality of work spent on it. Sadly this fact of life hasn't been properly made known to the public yet. Yes, it affects you and your legal rights.  

It is indeed distressing to see such a thing happening. Legal practitioners who want to draft their pleadings in a proper manner, conduct legal research to an acceptable level, go through the case before trial and prepare witness statements and the evidence, and/or even prepare for cross-examination and draft a good submission are going to be for a rude awakening. 

(Not to mention the absurd time-limits being given, which now make it quite hard for some legal practitioners to collect their legal fees in full before trial. Legal firms have fiscal responsibilities to their staff too, who in turn have families to feed and bank loans to pay. But that's not anyone's problem, right?)

Quite a number of judicial officers have also lamented on this fact, where it is now quantity, and not quality cases before them. So many lawyers are also left feeling helpless, and dissatisfied with their performance in the office as well as in court, as they feel the duty to their client has been glazed over with the over-riding duty of having a case disposed of, in less than 9 months. 

For your information, go to the nearest MLJ and flip through the 1970s volumes. Even then, a backlog was present. It is not part of the problem: the matter of a backlog is inherent in any functioning legal system. Would the Transport Ministry instruct people to drive faster when there are traffic jams? After all, the vehicles on the road are the problem, innit? So get them off the roads for Pete's sake!!! 

Welcome to 'Nam. Where the only thing you have to do is survive. 

Before I go on and on about this, it would me also important to read an article on this a link I accidentally stumbled across. It really articulates what the majority of us think and feel:

http://sociopolitics-blog-malaysia.blogspot.com/2011/02/speedy-gone-justice.html

It is unfortunate (and indeed shameful) that the Bar Council of Malaysia is not not doing more to alleviate this situation. Where is the leadership? 

What we need now is a proper assessment on the impact of the legal standard in Malaysia. Is legal work being prepared properly? How are lawyers performing in court? What are the quality of Judgments nowadays? And most importantly, what are the clients feelings on their experience in court?

It does not bode well for the future of the Malaysian legal system or its stakeholders. Who shall save us?

Next time

When you feel that someone has does wrong by you, what do you do?  Emotions almost always tend to get the better of us. How many times have we flown off the handle because we were enraged or just so infuriated that we damn the consequences? It's amazing how your mind just switches off when you're angry. Maybe that's why we are told that when we are about to go ballistic, don't mail the letter. Keep it for a few days, then review. Heh...

Is it really better to forgive and move on, or just write that person off as yet another idiot we have to move past? It really depends, I guess. Sometimes I look back at some of the not-so-nice things that I have experienced with others. Perhaps the thing to keep foremost in my mind is this: Is it worth it? 

This month of Ramadhan may be the reason for this sudden abrupt pondering. Memories of things oh-not-so-long-ago, of better times with persons I used to be familiar with, etc. Maybe this is an opportunity to try something different. 

It really is unrealistic and unreasonable for me to expect that people shouldn't make such mistakes. Because that's what people do. And I can't reconcile with this fact. Maybe that's what makes it even more difficult; the need for some logic. I should just drop the logic then. Round and round the mulberry bush we go... Maybe it's the constant struggle of not expecting much of people. Then again, wouldn't this make you feel superior to others?

This is crazy. 

Walking Points

Whatever it is you do, I truly believe it's persistence that matters in a big way. And sometimes the moral courage to follow-through (but that's a whole different kettle of fish). 

I'm not delivering up a novel idea; its been made sayings of and stuff, but it is indeed a Truth. 

I was reading an anecdote about it just the other day. Don't give up. Keep calm and carry on (another saying from another age...)

You're lucky if you can get the support from others, by the way. Appreciate such people. They are the ones that give you the extra push and inspiration along the way. I find that they give you the motivation you need sometimes. It does help. And I thank them for it. 

Just make sure you're doing something worthwhile. 

Going someplace

I just realised this post should have been put up in October 2011. 10.10.2011 to be exact. Well it's up now.

I received a phone call last year, in October. I was getting ready for work. Puan Sri Zaimah had passed away. The wife of the late Federal Court Judge, Tan Sri Syed Othman, she passed away peacefully in her sleep sometime in the early morning. She was in her 90s. I knew her as 'Tok'. She took me in as family. She knew me since I was a kid. 

She was always good to me. Staying in her house with her maids, she was probably a little lonely. She kept budgies, and mynah birds. And there was a koi pond in the garden. All her children, grown up and in their 50s and 60s, had their own lives to live (one had recently passed away a few years ago after routine surgery), and were mostly in KL. They did their best to come stay with her from time to time. They were filial, always remembering her although in KL.

I could always talk to her. She was a straight-shooter. She cared about me, always asking me about my life, work, etc. She may have been old, but she still had all her mental faculties about her. She was old-school, and I have immense respect for that generation. In fact, I can connect more with them, then some others nearer to my age. Now I realise what this Generation Gap is all about. But in a different way.

As always, we also wish we had more time with them before they pass on. Death is a part of life, but it's those who remain who share the burden of the loss. She was a part of my life. 

I used to pop in from time to time, mostly after she would call me to come over. I remember once we went out to buy bird-seed. And sometimes I would take her to the bank. And we had the buffet-lunch at a hotel once.

I was always invited for Hari Raya. It was the one place I knew I was welcome, and felt so.

Who we are, is also affected by who we interact with. She brought a ray of hope into my life. I will never forget her. 

Al-fatihah.

This Little Light of Mine

Losing control. The very thought brings out the worst in us. 

Whether in your personal life or work, its never easy to come to terms with. It plagues your mind and fogs your thoughts until it envelopes the host. 

The fear of the uncertainty and helplessness. Damn that's alot of S's. heh... Sometimes, all you can do is to just say fuck it, and move forward. DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. Having a plan would be re-assuring, although it's not always that simple, and planning for contingencies is exhausting as well. 

Or turn your mind to happier things. 

There's this old chinese lady near my office. She looks in her 70's perhaps. She has short white hair, and wears brown-rimmed spectacles. A little over 1.5m tall, she wears a dress. And her cute little shoes. Though her dress has faded oh-so long ago, you can see she still wears it comfortably. It reaches until her shins. 

She worked at a photocopy place but now I don't see her there. Another person has taken over. But I did see her once going up the shophouse staircase, umbrella in one hand and a small plastic bag in the other. 

I'm curious as to what her story is. How she got to where she is now. Whether she's ok. I spoke to her once when I needed something copied years ago. She had this very dainty voice, and she sounded how she looked; nice and quaint. I don't mean to be patronising. She really does embody how a nice old aunty is. I'm sure we've all met one. 

I wonder how she looks after herself, whether she has anyone to look out for her, and whether she is financially secure. She appears to be alone, living in that shophouse's 1st floor, but I may be wrong. I hope I'm mistaken. 

Generation Next

Every generation has the potential to be better than the last. We forget that. We just carry the arrogance that we actually are.

When I do make a decision, at least I know I did something. Let the chips fall where they may. Just complaining about something makes me sound like a whiny bitch. Nobody likes a whiny bitch. Plus it's like the analogy of a frog in a pot of water being brought to a slow boil, compared to one being put straight into a boiling pot.

It really helped to bounce ideas off friends, and those who may give their own opinion. At least there's one matter that I'm trying to deal with, taking some action, and getting some sounding boards. I wonder if it will turn out positive. Hmmm.... Oh well, at least I'm doing something. I can only hope it goes well for me.

Everyone else's problems look simpler than your own. It's like looking throug a distorted window. Weird. This should teach us that what we perceive to know, just isn't true.

Green House, Blue House

This weekend, I managed to meet up with some old school friends. It had been 16 years (!!!) since I met one of them. He looked the same, but different. He's married, with children. He's not the only one though. Just the 4 of us sitting down and catching-up, remember schooldays and other stuff. We ended our session in the early evening, all of us parting ways.

Just being there made me a little blue. I haven't had much contact with my old school buddies since I left secondary school. I have to admit, it was good seeing them again, all in one place with a little time to ourselves. After all, once you're married and have commitments, your time is not really your own. It was just the realisation of the loss of time. Everytime I learned something new about someone, a little bit of me felt bad. My god, how could I have gone through all this time without even getting in touch with these guys? Friends are the main reason a lot of us actually survive school, if you ask me. Fostered camaraderie is also a comfort in the years that come.

Schooldays are one of the best and worst times of our lives. Our formative years. We are there for one another. I was fortunate enough to be part of that. These are the people we should all cherish, and appreciate how they affect who we are today. Thinking back of what we went through, and the funny stories shared, I noticed I was laughing to myself driving back.

There are so many life lessons friends can teach you. All you have to do is pay attention. A friend can ground you, tell you what you need to know, let you forget what you don't want to. Yes, people do change. But for once in your life, don't let that change things with your brothers.

Smear tactics

I have just learned of a very serious, scandalous rumour supposedly going around. And what better topic than sex?

It boggles the mind that such allegations, are being perpetuated ad nauseum. But that's the nature of the beast, I guess. Create something so unbelievable, that it must be true, at least some of it. And most people don't stop for a moment to digest what is being told, to really process the absurdness of such allegations.

I have an idea of who the culprit is. From what I can surmise, this person has something intangible to gain from this; upping his reputation as the "saviour of women". I have to say I was really shocked of what I heard it was about. But then again, some people have no scruples. That's probably why there is always that little percentile in any group that is dishonest.

[Trying to find out who this person is; one is faced with the argument "If it isn't true, why do you want to know?" However, that misses the point of confronting that person, and telling him to stop the shit he is spewing about others)

So while he badmouths another who doesn't even know him as an acquaintance, this little bitch is "reaping the benefits", so to speak. After all, once he badmouths someone else, there is little competition for what he has in mind.

But this person lost sight of one thing; only he was interested in what he was spreading, and to his intended targets. The other individual had no such interest in all this at all.

I have a funny feeling this person has had enough, hearing good things and the little praise (perhaps every once in a while) of the other, that he has actively sought out to try to badmouth him. Others have done much more, for less.

So then today, I read this article, and it all makes perfect sense.

http://www.malaysia-today.net/mtcolumns/no-holds-barred/43700-the-four-letter-word-called-sex

This little bitch will have to pay the piper, sooner or later. We'll just have to see how gullible others are.

Common bonds

So today was the celebration of Ramadhan 1432. The day started off warm, but went into a cold slow drizzle lasting 'til nightfall.

I managed to attend Aidilfitri prayers and had a heavy breakfast later in my friend's house. His mum always has something nice to eat during Hari Raya. Then I rushed home after a while and dozed off 'til lunchtime. Little did I know Nazrul's relative passed away today. It must have been a tough day for him and his family.

This year, the festive mood was not with me. I don't know why. A lot of the preparation was rushed. It wasn't easy fasting this year either. But going to the Masjid Besar was nice, with the prayers being led by an imam with his melodious voice, the grand architecture, and the entire mosque illuminated with light at night; it was truly inspiring. I had a sense of peace. Maybe I need to appreciate the little things better.

I went through the routine of the few visits to houses by myself, and trying to enjoy the day. But by the end of it, in the evening, I was glad it was over.

There was a point in time that I felt I had overstayed my welcome in the 2nd house, so I slipped away after many hours of just hanging about. The whole house was busy with 'family-time', and I felt really out of place. I didn't feel like dragging out the goodbyes with so many people there. I hate goodbyes.

People are lucky to have a functioning family. It really counts for something. Everyone has to participate, otherwise apathy sets in. And when people don't care, others get left behind.

Oscillations

Time is relative. I wonder if I actually make that tiny bit of difference everyday at work, because I want it to mean something more that just a file. Personal/Job satisfaction. Then I catch myself thinking of work after-hours. A really dirty habit, one that I have to constantly be on my guard for. But then again, it does help when brainstorming with someone else.

Things are happening in this country. The undercurrent is rising. What that will bring will reveal itself in the near future.

I just realised that most people will try to take advantage of you if they can. I find that quite disgusting, especially when it's someone higher up in the food-chain. After all, aren't those types of people, now in a position to help people like me?? Instead they work their insidious ways to squeeze more out of people. For free. No wonder the rich stay rich. They have gotten so used to lining their own pockets that it actually (physically) hurts to have to pay when asked to. But I believe that there will be an equitable conclusion. There always is.

I may have to re-assess the way work is done. New outlines may have to drawn up. This all has to be streamlined and enable my workload to flow smoother. I need to delegate more. Don't we all. No man is an island, indeed.

Many of us go through the days without actually realising what is important to us. What makes us want to wake and and start the day. And act on this. Perhaps all we can do most times is to live in the moment. Food for thought.

It's nice and peaceful tonight. It was a beautiful evening, with a glorious swirl of colours lighting up the evening sky. It reminded me of my school days when I used to while away the evenings, waiting for my TV shows to start. The crickets are a welcome background ambient. It reminds me that it's quiet, in a weird sort of way. Yesterday was nice too. Spending it with friends, and just getting away. Wonderful Saturday, thanks to my friends.

Secondary school was when I started to learn to be independent. It really sucked. And I felt alone. Part and parcel of such 'liberty'. Now it's like a shadow; always there but noticeable only when I really focus.

The fasting month is less than 2 weeks away. That will mean a change of routine for me. Just like the rest of us, it means going back that bit earlier, foraging for buka and sahur meals, among others.

What shall I do tonight...

Far Away From Here, So Close To Me

I went to Aunty Ayshah's grave yesterday. Finally. It was a slow end to the week. Things had wound down a bit, so I had time to actually think. I wasn't in my usual attire for work, and I wasn't in the office all that much 'til after 3pm, after going to the Court's Criminal Registry. I left the office early, and found myself with nothing to do. I drove around for a while, enjoying the soft evening and cool weather. The week-long school holidays gave the air of a quiet evening.

I went to find something to eat, before realising I was near Mahmoodiah. I had to call her sister to find out where her grave was. Aunty Ayshah passed away on 16.8.2006. It had been nearly 5 years since I last saw her; I had met her maybe a few weeks before she passed. She had gone through cancer and beaten it, but there was a relapse. You could tell that the chemo had taken its toll on her. She stayed with her aged mother, who had just passed away 2 weeks ago.

Walking into the place, there were so many headstones. The Royal Mausoleum was freshly painted grey. I finally found her grave, her name was on it. This was the first time in my life I had actually visited someone's grave. I was not scared. I was calm. The mood was somewhat sombre. It was quiet. You could hear the trees rustling. Birds were chirping. But there was a stillness, like Time was plainly not relevant to the souls that rested here. Her mother was buried next to hers, with fresh flowers placed on her mother's (still) freshly-dug grave.

I felt guilty for not coming sooner. It had been 5 years. I had found out only a few weeks after she passed away. Her sister had gone through her phonebook and was calling people up. But after finding out, I didn't visit her grave. I don't know why. Only now. Better late than never, I guess. And knowing Aunty Ayshah, she wouldn't have minded. As long as I come see her now.

As I was remembering times together with her, I also appreciated that I was sad because of such a wonderful soul she is. She always had a kind word for me, and was fun to talk to. A lot of people I know are a generation older than me.

Aunty Ayshah worked with PERKIM as a dakwah officer. She was from a simple and modest family. She walked to work, which took her about an hour. She also had diabetes, which meant that she shouldn't have been on her feet like how she was. But she was such a cheerful lady, happy. She would always remind me of my religious duties as a Muslim. In fact, Aunty Ayshah even got my kid sister to pray. And that was when she was 8 years old!!? I always thought that was amazing.

Going through now, I remember her being a part of my life from the beginning. She even helped me get into the stream I wanted in school, in her own charming way. She was also there when I was called to the Bar. She is family to me. Even as a kid, she was always full of encouragement. I do remember her threatening to send me for "sunat". That was scary...

Time has passed, and I cannot do anything about that. All I can try to do is to never forget her, and how much she means to me. This post is rendered insignificant, compared to the individual she is. This is merely a milestone for me, in remembrance and to pay my respects to her.

I miss you. We will meet again. Rest in peace.

I want one

"Early birthday gift!" Shameless! hehehe

What to get someone for their birthday; what they want or what they need? Why not something that can be both? Though money can be a factor. But that's why you need to know who your friends really are, innit! heh

The satisfaction you get for getting someone a thoughtful gift is most gratifying. And if it doesn't cost a bomb, all the better. But since you're all grown-up now and earning a salary, it shouldn't be (too) cheap.

I got 2 people good quality sling-bags last year. Why? Because theirs had seen better days. Now that was gratifying. Just don't expect eternal gratefulness now. It's all about your intention to make the other person happy.

The persistence of resistance

It's been quite a while since I've logged on. Internet solutions abound, I have finally found an alternative to the slow-ass broadband ISP I subscribed to initially. But I still ache for an un-capped quota! Corporations really do make loads on restrictions...sigh...the irony.

Looking at the way technology is pacing itself, it's hard to buy something now without it being upgraded before the next fiscal year. So to quote Nazrul, don't think- just buy. It was good to finally meet up with him the other day. Like old times, we could pick up where we left off. I'm glad he's in a much better place now, with work and personal stuff sorted out. Now it's just about sorting out the finer details. We still get into a lot of trouble. For legal reasons, I shall not get into it. I miss my secondary school days. And friends.

The past 2 months have been quite busy, what with preparations for the capital offence cases. My method is different from other (senior) lawyers who do this day-in and day-out. And have had an entire lifetime of experience. Preparation takes time, plotting out what to do requires foresight. And that is why it is always good to have someone's ear. Someone who is hopefully more knowledgeable than you, and actually takes the time to listen to you.

Being given the treatment while doing your work is a work-hazard, but you just have to soldier on. After all, trials and tribulations right...And you should never, ever antagonise the Judge...heh

I was up against not 1 but a battery of people in that drug-trafficking case..it was like the other side had legal assistance everyday, all the way through...and me sitting by myself. But it was a satisfying conclusion. Court-appointed capital offence cases are thankless jobs. But then again, alot of such work is of similar nature.

Another case got resolved for undisclosed reasons (though I have a pretty good guess why), so I and the other lawyer were discharged. But I should check-up in that other case, to see if they have applied for legal aid.

All my other cases are coming to their natural conclusions, so it's still quite a hectic season, preparing Submissions and research. But you must find the time for life's pleasures as well, no? Work ought not consume you. It cannot be allowed to take charge and dictate how you live.

Del & Oaks came down today, so that was quite fun. Lovely afternoon/evening. Nice to have company for dinner. Now you could take a leaf out of their book for how to live life.

When I get my Sikorsky S-76C, I shall fly them to JB and back anytime. Heh

What's that in your bag

2011. So why would u want to change who you are? New year resolutions? In a Gen-Y culture that keeps expanding?

The last few months of 2010 went like the blazes. One of the worse things you can do is set into that comfort-zone *(read= kill-zone) But now it's all about the money.

I finished reading Hagakure (the manga version) last night. It was good. But a little warped. Then again you would have to read it in the period it was written, in the 1700s. Act fast and think quickly. Maybe that's what we should all be doing.

Beacon

These past few weeks have been different. I had to make a difficult decision. One that involved someone else's life and liberty. So many variables and no senior to offer sound advice. Then again, you can't take your client's word as the gospel truth. But talking to him, part of me believed in his innocence.

Far away from his family and friends, accused of drug trafficking. All he did was to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was even in the country legally, running from the devastation of the Aceh tsunami. He had a good case to fight, but the variables involved made me doubt his chances of acquittal. That's right, in a system such as this, I had my doubts after what I've seen. Shocking things.

Things are different now, and not in a good way. What I have come to expect is the unexpected. So I advised him to take the deal. It was a very good deal though. I got a call late one evening a month ago, just as I was about to leave the office. If all goes well, he has another 12 months to serve. But then he gets deported. Back to nothing. Family? I just hope I did the right thing. He was happy. But he was in such a world of trouble, anything else was a lifesaver. Literally. Plus it was a guarantee to stay away from the hangman's noose.

This was a series of events that led to this moment. I have to live with the decision I made, and move on. But my faith in the criminal justice system has wavered. Charging someone when the case is not strong is one thing, but saying "Let the court decide" is just plain irresponsible. This is someone's life you're playing with. We're talking about a capital offence case here. Playing "chicken" is fine for them; if they lose, they just shrug it off and say it was a bad case anyway. But if things were to go the other way (which they most often do), well gosh darn, that's one more statistic they can rack up to their name. "He was guilty anyway, I'm sure of it". What a wretched way to see things.

A couple of weeks ago, an olde man was charged for causing hurt with a parang. He was sitting in the dock with the others, at the end, just staring blankly into space. The other guy was bleeding in the head. Sounds simple enough, right? What wasn't read by the person making the decision to charge (in the Investigation Papers) was that the accused had found his (much younger) wife in bed with this other man. Another legal officer conducting the prosecution immediately withdrew the charge. This is a classic case where it simply does not benefit the public interest to charge that olde man. Allah bless that legal officer who did the right thing.

So here I am. I really wasn't sure what would happen to him if he had claimed trial, and I guess I just didn't have enough faith on the system. Maybe I need to talk to someone. Maybe I need to talk to someone different. Like just yesterday, a friend of mine told me that everytime he feels so demotivated, he calls his mentor/boss up and spends time with them. It gives him the positive energy he needs. Hmmm. Something to think about.

I just hope he's alright in prison for the remainder of his sentence. And that he survives the 3 strokes he has to suffer, as a first offender. May Allah grant him a better life now.

Assigned Counsel

So today I went to see the Accused. He is a very well-spoken individual, in his mid-thirties. A horse-riding instructor in this field for nearly 20 years. Quite good in his English and an intelligent chap. Well as far as that can help him.

So after all he's gone through, I explained to him what charges he faced, and what the situation was. We managed to come to some consensus, and I could tell he was relieved to finally have a lawyer on his side.

There are so many people in need of some help or another, sometimes I feel that its never enough.

New hardware

Ahh... just got the computer back from a major overhaul of sorts...thank goodness this new software is compliant with my internet service.

Its been a busy, hectic, fast & furious few weeks. Work has been consuming me, thankfully I have a little backup for the Judicial Review matter. Sadly things did not go my client's way, and the big Bank won. And that too, in the face of evidence to the contrary. I was stunned. My client was in shock for 2 weeks. I'm still in a state of disbelief.

I blame this new system. Things take time. Why would anyone believe having enough time is not necessary anymore? But yes, there are those in power who make decisions, who do hold onto this belief. So now we have to prepare our Judicial Review application for leave, which literally contains thousands of documents. That has been done, and copies have been filed and sent to the respective parties, so now we wait for the Hearing date.

Yesterday the Court's letter of appointment was sent to the office. 3 Accused facing 4 drug charges. 1 is a 39B drug trafficking charge. 3 Accused, with 1 of them having his own lawyer. I and another were court-appointed, only receiving the letter today. Which is quite odd, as the moment the court knows an Accused does not have a lawyer in a capital offence case, one is quickly appointed for him/them. The lawyer then shows up at the next Mention date, and follows up. The letter stated the Hearing was already fixed for next month. Another fine example of disrespecting/disregarding lawyers and their time. Even though it is such defence counsel who volunteers to take on a capital offence case for peanuts. Wow!!!! I'll see what can be done.

Growing older, time seems to slip away. Time is a thief? Its a frikkin' burgler. Rushing around with so many things to do is not my idea of an interesting life. Especially when some of these things should be dealt with by others. Nobody wants to be one of those people who run around all day, on the phone, busy busy busy, with umpteen tasks to complete on a daily basis. I think we need another legal assistant. I need a bigger room. I want a new office. And 2 sexy female assistants vying for my affection. Miaow!!!

Keep Hope Alive

Today was a busy day. I got things done, and things came flying at me until i reached home. A ray of light broke through the stormy clouds today. Wanna know what happened?

I also encountered the ugly side of touting, and corruption, faced by my client, who was led on by those that are entrusted to enforce the law, and protect the innocent. It is tremendously disappointing when you see someone being taken advantage of in their hour of need. Her husband taken away from her, with empty promises fed to her so that such people could buy time for themselves. And what can she tell her 2 infant children? In the end, the ridiculous use of powers to apply to remand someone who they themselves admit don't have any proof on, to even frame a charge, was finally neutralised.

In this case, I was blessed with an intelligent Magistrate. This was the first time I appeared before her in Remand Proceedings. She is a very smart woman, capable of grasping the facts and issues at a moment's notice. Her experience has also honed her judicial skills and enhanced her sense of fairness. She grilled him although the court was filled with suspects and his kind. I was like an eye-witness, if not as a shield for my client.

She was kind, respectful, firm and stern.

I stood amazed at how she peeled open the layers of half-truths and incomplete investigations. I was glued to my seat as she clung onto her question, demanding a straight answer from the man who was unsure of himself, after her Socratic Method was imparted onto him. She really is an agent of Lady Justice. She spun rings around him. I was impressed. Everyone was listening to her. I'll bet that even the other suspects were given hope at that point. All the other IOs shuffled their IPs to get their facts right. Amazing I tell you.

Today, a man wrongly suspected of a crime (by association) was finally freed after office hours. I received a call from the client (the wife) who uttered "Thank You"; the first thing I heard when I answered the phone. This was the very same lady who was resigned to her fate that her husband would be re-arrested even after the Order for Release. That may (or may not) have had something to do with what I had said to one of them at court before I left hurriedly...hehehe...My heart resonated with joy at that point.

It is also incredulous at how investigations are conducted, even in this day and age. It reinforces my belief that the lawyer's presence is vital, to ensure that the constitutional safeguards of checks & balances are actually functioning. Yes, we may be a cog in the machine, but I believe we are a central one.

But today, this lady Magistrate displayed a level of judicial ability that was indeed remarkable. I have her to thank for how things turned out today. With what she has given me today, perhaps I can carry on, and add strength to the courage of my convictions which have become so faint in my heart these long days.