RIFLE RANGE BOY

Law: Freedom trap? Heard over the weekend, a public forum, in the ambience of a multi-storey departmental, the epitome of the success of capitalism, of a topic highlighting things that mattered to the lowly common folks of the country- the law and whether it was the best thing available for the common man on the street. The forum forms part of the series of BFM Night School's outdoor activity, bringing intellectual and philosophical discussions to the masses. With the advent and selective use of law by leaders, of late, to subdue their political opponents and even curb the supposed freedom of his subjects, this topic appears more relevant than ever, today. Whenever common sense fail to rule, the long arm of the law is conveniently invoked to scare the living daylights of its victim (lay people). The law sometimes seem not accessible to the common man as compared to people in power. Law seem to take more time than the process of governing the country. Even though avenues are avai...

Coming from a background of science where things are more objective, where a spade is called a spade, I am slowly trying to build the right side of the brain with reasoning and creativity. Culture and logic, I found out of late, is very subjective and can be argued all through the country side till the cows come home. My quest to acquire knowledge landed me in the company of intellectuals and those who thought of themselves as one on a Sunday noon in the heart of town. Yes, BFM Night School had their first live show! In a hall in Annex Gallery in the vicinity of Central Market, 5 intellectuals gathered to lead a discussion to theorise the troubles that are slowly brewing in Malaysia. I was particularly impressed with how the panel members approached the title. At one look, it looks all Greek to me but they managed to dissect the troubles simmering in the country from a few angles. Ahmad Fuad Rahmat (of Islamic Renaissance Front) and Sharrad Kuttan (of BFM) acted as moderato...