The Great Depression

A legislative assembly held under a tree because of police blockage to the the assembly House, a High court order restraining the speaker from discharging his duties, another High Court order directing that the Anwar Ibrahim sodomy trial be heard in the High Court overturning the ruling of the Sessions Court below - looks like the government of the day is using the police and the judiciary to achieve its goals that is to prevent the opposition run state governments from ruling the states efficiently. The sacredness of the doctrines of separation of powers and natural justice have been defiled, brushed aside and the police (those guys with guns) are on the side of the powers that be. The latter seems to be lacking in will to condemn and and punish those involved in cases of police brutality as can be seen in the Kugan case. The anti corruption agency is also very slow to investigate cases that involve people that are in the circle of the powers that be but very fast to highlight 'wrongdoings' by opposition leaders. This is a frightening scenario for the nation. What about the army (those guys with guns, bombs, tanks, and trained in the art of war)? whose side are they on?

And the ordinary people? They have the economy in mind. They have survival in mind, to make more money to make ends meet. They have to wake up early to go to work like robots to make a living. They have to sit and wait through heavy rains, bear with flash floods, long traffic jams (due to poor town planning), which makes them even more rushed for time, agitated and frustrated. There is no good news from the powers that be to give them the 'feel good' feeling, to allieviate their worries and fears. Instead feed the public with sex scandals and brutal crimes to talk about, encourage conditons of apathy and selfishness so that they have no time to think about lofty selfless ideals, about fighting for good and justice or for bringing about change for the betterment of the nation. Likewise the lawyers who are supposed to be the guardians of Justice and human rights in the country are now being subject to what seems to be a policy to frustrate, humiliate and degrade them in the Jalan Duta Court complex- they are made to sit, stand and wait at the Court corridors while waiting for instructions as to how next to proceed. They are treated like school children or people at the bus or train station waiting to buy tickets. Further lawyers who repesent the powers that be can be confident of winning while lawyers who represent the opposition can be confident of losing. There are those above the law. The rich and powerful can get away with wrongdoings, even murder.

Perhaps that is what the powers that be want. Keep the people preoccupied with their personal problems, keep the lawyers frustrated so that the powers that be can run the country as they wish. No need for transparency and accountability. Only damn the opposition. All the machinery and might of the State (including the Internal Security Act) must be used to frustrate and silence opposition.

We are waiting for a Superman or a Savior to save us from all these ills and evils but there seems to be none in sight. We feel helpless, hopeless, frustrated, angry and insecure. Everyone into himself or herself! The Great Depression is already here..