RIFLE RANGE BOY: Unruly rule of Law?

https://www.hitamputih.blog/post/najibs-pardon-can-it-be-challenged

Among my many indulgences is listening to real crime podcasts. More often than not, the prosecutor and the family victims go all out to ensure that the accused, in murder trials, gets the ultimate punishment, the death penalty. The victims feel their grief is not resolved unless and until the accused is punished to what is accepted by them as appropriate. If the trial ends in their favour, they would say in the post-trial interview that justice was served and they can carry on with their lives.

Occasionally, I hear of their victims’ kin saying that whatever punishment is meted out will never bring back the victim or bring back the life they missed. No punishment is severe enough to right the wrong. If the sentence does not fall in their favour, they would promise to continue fighting till the end of time.

Very rarely indeed, I have heard of the victims forgiving the assailants and letting them start a new slate. In such cases, those forgiven feel an instant relief from their burdens. Their head feels light. That, they say, is the magic of forgiving.

Humans, from time immemorial, had faith in the legal system as the higher authority to mete out justice. Assuming the legal system is only second to God in fairness, it has been likened to a divine decree.

Lately, in Malaysia since 2008, people have been talking about the rule of law and about Malaysians not glorifying criminals as heroes.

Now, we know that this statement is contextual. When the accused is linked to a particular political party, he may have been falsely accused and have had evidence planted by his enemies. He is, however, guilty as sin if he is in the opposition. Trial by media is popular. Everyone is a legal expert, and the loudest and the most foul-mouthed must surely be right. If, earlier, everyone thought ‘rule of law should prevail’, now the same people will rant that the legal system is compromised and engaged in selective prosecution.

Suddenly, the idea that the law of the land is supreme is no longer relevant.