'Berlusconi to stand trial for underage sex’ reads the headline in The Sun today. Silvio Berlusconi the Italian Prime Minister is scheduled to go on trial on April 6 over an allegation of paid sex on a 17 year old Moroccan night club dancer named Karima El Mahroug. Prostitution is legalize in Italy but in the case of Berlusconi, having paid sex with an underage girl is a state offence.
I am bringing out this issue merely to impress upon those in the seat of power, leaders and Malaysians in general that the Italian law, and I suppose the law in most developed societies does not distinguish nor segregate individuals by their status, prominence and standing in society. All are treated equally in the eyes of the law. Berlusconi’s trial is a case in point, and this can be an eye opener to all Malaysians that see the law as their only saviour.
In the case of Malaysia, we have seen numerous cases involving individuals at high places that are alleged to have committed sexual related offences and abuse, but the treatment they get from the law is unlike that of Berlusconi.
If a report is launched by the victim of a sexual abuse committed against the alleged offender who happens to be a dignitary, it gets very little notice by the mainstream media. Even if the alleged offence is reported, the name of the offender is cleverly concealed till the very last. There have been cases like this (rightfully or wrongfully) in the recent past, and it was the alternative media that had exposed the name of the alleged individual (who happens to be a person of renowned standing). The quick reaction is to deny and a statement made to say that it was an act to discredit the alleged offender.
I do not wish to name such cases here (for it is well known in public domain), but the authorities should not view the Malaysian society as fools and are all blind and ignorant of the happenings surrounding them. Malaysians today are no gullible creatures that can easily be ‘taken for a ride’. The fact that there is now so much of voice against the authorities for wrong doings, are clear evidence of a Malaysian society that is more alert, concern and demanding that the truth be revealed.
With so much of talk that our law and the justice system is not so equal; rather it has a bias towards the ‘rich and famous’, this glaringly has becomes the concern of all likeminded Malaysians that can ultimately be the cause of civil unrest.
What seem to me as ludicrous is that the people that were alleged to have been involved with cases of sexual offence and abuse are gleefully running around, and continue to remain a prominent public figure. They don’t seem to have the slightest conscience of their shameful past, and some are even ‘rewarded’ to some towering public positions.
I am certainly not amused by this, and my only appeal to those in the seat of power is to seriously treat the Berlusconi episode as a lesson to be learnt.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Dear Uncle Arshad,
ReplyDeleteWelcome back. I did ask my old man Gen. Jack Palance where have you been. And after a long hiatus, its good to see you back on track.
I've been following your blog since my first postings overseas to Washington, though amused with your thoughts and writings, I applaud your critical thinking even being a public servant himself. Welcome back and write more juicy stuff - healthy juice that is, YBhg. Dato'.
Dear Afdal,
ReplyDeleteYes, I know you and the rest of your siblings. Thanks for the compliment. I thought, now that I am retired, the only thing that can keep me going is writing (for whatever it is worth).
My salam to you and the family.
Kalau nak jam tart, beritahu auntie. Your late mom likes it very much.
Will do, sir.
ReplyDeleteI've also worked with your nephew Amiri Bakar who's now serving in Islamabad.
When was the last time you met him?
Jam tart? Wahh... sounds lovely.