Should justice prevail...

I was upset, angry and frustrated when reading the news "NS dodger jailed" published in The Sun, Wednesday, May 11, 2005. And I'm very positive that I'm not alone in this. (And yes, we understand it loud and clear because you put it on the front page and we got the message - Nobody should be absent from NS training!!)

As reported by The Sun, Ahmad Hafizal opted for 14-days jail sentence because he can't afford to pay the rm600 fine issued by the court after failing to attend the NS training last year. It is also reported that he didn't attend the camp because he decided that helping out his single mother, who earns rm150 per month as an assistant in a nursery, is far more important than climbing up walls, crawling under the thorny fences, performing flying fox...A noble intention, a mature decision, yet the judge didn't seem to agree with this, the judge overlooked his situation and his priority!

I do agree that strict action should be taken against NS dodgers, but why, why pick on the weakest lot of them all?! I don't think the punishment was a fair one, not only because this poor guy was not represented by a lawyer, but he has also pleaded guilty and this shows that he's aware of his wrongdoing.

I think Ahmad Hafizal doesn't deserve the 14-days jail sentence. He dropped out of school after Form Two to work and support the family. He might not even know what are his rights, and how do you expect this chap to defend himself in the court of law?! No, I'm not undermining his capabilities...but given the fact that he couldn't afford to stay at school and (at least) complete Form Five, I'm concerned and worried with how he's treated (or mistreated) in the court.

Ahmad Hafizal should be given a chance to be represented by a lawyer; an advocate(in the real sense - perhaps providing one for him on pro bono basis) , and the judge should impose a lighter punishment on him. Perhaps something to do with community services and society building. That would be a better option for him, and that would give him a chance to contribute to the society. Isn't that one of the objectives of NS Camp? To inculcate and promote patriotism. I firmly believe community service is one good way to show your patriotism and at the same time build up your character and morality!!

I felt hurt when seeing Ahmad Hafizal being led out of the courtroom with his hands cuffed. Why are we treating him like those criminals who rape, murder, rob (and the list goes on) when he should not even be considered as one, it is out of his 'ignorance' that he failed to attend the NS training. To stay behind the bars for 14 days, God, that's a high price to pay for being 'ignorant'!

Written law alone does NOT suffice to allow justice to prevail!