Podcast : BFM interview of Safer Malaysia

Towards a Safer Malaysia

Recent incidents, events, and news about crime and violence in and around the Klang Valley have been disturbing and troubling.

This led to a few Citizens of Malaysia — who have been talking about it, complaining about it, and lamenting about it — deciding about three weeks ago that “enough is enough”.

This led to some discussions about plans and proposals for a safer environment to live in. As a result, the Safer Malaysia project was initiated.

Safer Malaysia is a project by concerned private citizens of Malaysia, which attempts to push for reforms of our security administration.

Safer Malaysia defines “security administration” to include the justice system, the police, and of course, the government which controls it. Safer Malaysia hopes to provide a platform for people who share our concerns and views to air their grievances and concerns. It hopes to act as the voice of the people to promote a safer living environment for Malaysia, and Malaysians.

Currently, Safer Malaysia appears on three online fronts:

1. Facebook: Safer Malaysia
2. Twitter: @SaferMsia
3. Website: safermalaysia.com

In the space of less than two weeks, and with minimal publicity, almost 200 people have clicked “like” on the Facebook page, and over 130 people are following the tweets.

It is noticeable that the people who follow or “like” the respective social media pages have a particular trait, that is, their concern for the safety of their loved ones, and a wish to act on these concerns.

What particularly irked the initiators of Safer Malaysia was not just the news and stories of people who were attacked, but the amazing reply and comments by the relevant authorities about the said crimes. Statistics were released to purportedly show that crime rate had decreased. We read of our Deputy Prime Minister claiming that Malaysia is “the most peaceful country in the region”. We also read of comments by the Home Minister that recent incidents at shopping malls of attempts to abduct ladies or violent attacks on ladies were considered by our authorities as being mere “isolated incidents”.
Perhaps these Ministers were either living on another planet or we Malaysians are just a bunch of people who are really and truly perpetually unlucky to face and be victims of crimes over the years.

Safer Malaysia is not merely a platform for complaints and laments. Safer Malaysia desires to be an initiative to push for reforms and to also reclaim ownership of the issue of safety in our country.

Our plans

Safer Malaysia foresees three stages to the Safer Malaysia project.

In the short-term, Safer Malaysia hopes to host platforms and create avenues for citizens to speak and share their experiences, fears and/or concerns about our safety as citizens of Malaysia. Facebook, Twitter and other forms of social media will be used for people to talk about the issues, and update Safer Malaysia of crimes being committed. Safer Malaysia also want to give the victims of the crime a chance to speak of their fortunate experiences (if they wish to do so), to allow the victims a channel to release and speak of their apprehension and fears. If the momentum of this short-term plan picks up, Safer Malaysia hopes to host a gathering and hold a candlelight vigil as a silent and peaceful way of informing the authorities that we are very concerned about crimes in Malaysia.

In the mid-term, Safer Malaysia will draft a memorandum drawing out suggested solutions and proposals of reforms for the security administration. These will be handed to the Prime Minister, Home Minister, Education Minister, the IGP of PDRM, the Attorney General, and the Chief Justice of Malaysia. The contents of this memorandum are still in the process of being drafted (we may need some help on this). Flowing from this memorandum, Safer Malaysia hopes to have dialogues with the relevant people to put forward our case.

In the long-term, Safer Malaysia takes the view that the best way to minimize crime is not only to impose heavy penalties or to increase the presence of police, but to give a strong perception that crime absolutely does not pay. To do this, the education system must include programs to teach and ingrain into young Malaysians of the adverse effects of crime on a victim, and that if one does not wish to be such a victim, one should not get involved in crime. Studies must also be made on criminals as to why they did what they did.

For example, was there a psychological study on the murderer of Canny Ong? In the US, authorities studied the infamous Ted Bundy crime and thereafter, from the study, took steps to ensure that the circumstances and social conditions which led to the Ted Bundy committing those crimes would be diminished. Safer Malaysia wants a similar culture of the study of the criminal mind, understanding it and then, and repairing the situation from then on.

Another long-term plan is to inculcate in people’s minds to “not commit crime” instead of to “not be the victim of crime”. For too long, Safer Malaysia feels that the message coming from the authorities is “Don’t get robbed”, “Don’t get raped” or “Don’t get attacked”. Perhaps the correct and appropriate approach ought to be “Don’t rob”, “Don’t rape” or “Don’t attack”. This process will take time to produce results, thus we must start as soon as possible.

Also, in the long-term, Safer Malaysia hopes to work with the authorities to harness the enforcement of law and to help increase its effectiveness. Corruption must stop, and incompetent officers must be removed. This too cannot be done overnight, hence, some time is required to get this taking off.

The comments and plans above, are however not exhaustive. Safer Malaysia concedes that the proposals need more refinement and perhaps some amendments too. However, any project like Safer Malaysia should not be merely a complain bureau, but it ought to also be an initiative to offer solutions to the Government. Any suggestions to improve the above plans will be considered.

Join us

You are invited to join the Safer Malaysia project.

The project has already started with the social media platforms. Safer Malaysia also recently featured on BFM, and will continue to champion the desire of the people for a safer place to live in.

If you are concerned for the safety of your loved ones, worried of what may happen to them, or aghast at the violence and crimes around us, do consider supporting this project.

You may start by following our Twitter account or “liking” our Facebook page. And if you have some time, do visit our website.

Towards a Safer Malaysia!

can be seen on : http://www.loyarburok.com/2012/06/28/safer-malaysia/

Ng Chia How joins RWY

RWY welcomes Ng Chia How to our Team. Ng was a Pupil at RWY under the Pupilage of Mr Yip. 

Ng has shown great potential in drafting and research. He is a welcomed addition to the Team. 

Selamat Datang ke Team RWY.

My Experience as an Intern at RWY (Wong Jyh Ling)

When I started my three-month legal attachment program in Messrs. Richard Wee & Yip on 20^th February 2012, I didn’t know what to expect. To be honest, all I knew was that I had to complete this program by hook or by crook, and I had to do my best, as it would ultimately benefit me and make it easier for me to understand the subjects that I would be taking in my final degree year in Multimedia University.

(Well, that, and also that if I didn’t pass this program, I would not be able to graduate on time… But that’s a different matter.)

On my first day of attachment, Mr. Richard gave me an organizer (two, actually) and an exercise book, making it very clear that in order to be a good lawyer, you must be organized. I was also given a reference book on conveyancing procedures to study and understand the subject better.

Thereafter, I spent my first week in the firm mainly focusing on general/clerical tasks. I have also helped out in the Conveyancing department by doing some basic tasks such as filling in CKHT forms and preparing letters for presentation of documents to the Income Tax department. Puan Sarah had also given me a closed file to study in order for me to understand the general procedures of sub-sale of properties. Although I did not manage to participate in every procedure for a sub-sale, Puan Sarah would nevertheless try to help me develop a better understanding of the process by explaining to me via various “Conveyancing 101” sessions. Miss Penny had also given me opportunities to compile relevant documents for presentation to the land office, call clients, and prepare letters for presentation.

Apart from that, I was also given the opportunity of helping out with the litigation files. This experience is truly an eye-opening one, and it made me realize that being a lawyer really isn’t as easy or glamorous as per the impression I had after watching one too many reruns of Ally McBeal when I was younger.

For instance, a lawyer must be very meticulous in his work. Both Partners of the firm are truly my inspiration as they would pay attention to every single detail of the work that they’re dealing with. This is very important as every mistake could lead to an unwanted result. The legal associates of the firm, Mr. Ezhan and freshly called to bar Mr. Ng also followed in the Partners’ footsteps and the firm treats every client’s case with extra care and attention.

I have also learned that it is very important to be organized and disciplined in our work. An unorganized lawyer would attend to his case in court unprepared, and justice cannot wait for a lawyer’s endless flipping of documents in court.

Of course, being a legal attachment student didn’t mean that I would be treated like a normal student. Both Mr. Richard and Mr. Yip had given me a taste of what it’s like to be a real lawyer by allowing me to handle some files on my own (under their strict supervision). It was a risk that they chose to take, and I am grateful for being given the chance to do so.

Moreover, I have also learned to do a lot of things, such as: doing legal researches on various areas of law; drafting Letter of Demand; (an attempt at) drafting a Submission after Trial; attending full hearings in court (and recording the Notes of Proceedings); attending an arbitration matter in KLRCA; participating in the preparation for an Injunction matter and more.

One thing that I appreciated most about attaching in RWY was that it has allowed me to grow from my mistakes. Granted, I still make a fair share of mistakes today… But what I have learned from RWY is that to err is human; what matters most is for you to find out how to remedy the situation as quickly and efficiently as possible, and to never repeat the same mistake again. I have also learned that it is okay to ask whenever you don’t understand the task at hand, and all members of the firm would never hesitate to lend a helping hand.

That being said, I would like to take this opportunity to apologize for all the careless mistakes I’ve made during my time in the firm, and thank you so much for never giving up on me. 

So thank you, RWY, for your patience and kind guidance; for treating me like a part of the amazing family; and for giving me a chance to observe, make mistakes, and learn for the past three months. I am forever indebted.

Wong Jyh Ling

June 2012

Lesley joins Team RWY

RWY welcomes Lesley Lim to Team RWY.

Her calm and analytical methods will further enrich the RWY Team. She is also an ardent sportsperson who is part of the KL Bar Dragon Boat Team, and she represent the Malaysian Bar in Squash. 

With her as part of the firm, we now have a team of 6 Solicitors. 

Mediator

Congratulations to our Partner, Mr Yip Huen Weng, who recently received accreditation from the Singapore Mediation Centre (SMC) and the Malaysian Mediation Centre (MMC). 

Mr Yip is now an accredited and registered Mediator for both SMC and MMC.