Of Mistakes and Apologies

Few weeks ago, a man named Karpal got so infuriated with an alleged death threat made against him through a website. One boy posted such a threat-like comment on a website stating that since this Karpal guy had slandered Islam by making sensational remarks against the religion adhered by majority of Malaysians, he has the right to be killed. Karpal lodged a police report soon after.

 

Few days after the report, afraid of being reprimanded the boy publicly seek apology from Karpal and withdrew his posted comment. He hope that his ‘sincere’ act in seeking apology will reason Karpal to forgive him and withdraw the report made.

 

So far the report has not been withdrawn due to the fact, as stated by Karpal, that it is illegal to withdraw a police report lodged. This is absolutely true because once a first information report (FIR) is lodged the progress of the case or matter will be under the absolute authority and discretion of the attorney general.

 

Few weeks later, it seems that tables have turned for this guy named Karpal. The Utusan Malaysia today reported that a police report is made against Karpal, by several MPs and an NGO, for his direct criticisms hurled against the Sultan of Perak. (To read the report click here)

 

It seems that lodging police reports are now the trend for Malaysians regardless their political stance. From this trend I see that Malaysians, who are recently officially divided by two according to the division of their political interests i.e. the BN and the PR, are more confrontational with each other now than ever before. From the way things go it looks like the ability to reason and compromise have withered drastically as each side try to politically assassinate the other by any means possible. Is this a good sign for the Malaysian democracy and the Rakyat? I think not.

 

There are a lot of differences between a person who wishes harm than a person who does not.

 

Personally I believe that the young boy who hardly knows about politics who posted hate comments on the net has no actual intention to rouse the public to kill Karpal. Nobody will listen to him a ‘nobody’ himself, even the famous death penalty on Salman Rushdie made by a Muslim cleric fell on deaf ears. So is there a reason to be afraid? I can bet that if that boy is left with Karpal in a room and be given a weapon he will not act to foolishly end the life of another. The comment posted was merely made in an effort to defend his beliefs and of course to seek personal attention, a typical act of boys his age.

 

On the other hand Karpal made direct criticisms against the Sultan of Perak with regards to the Jamry case. In this matter I also believe that no ‘derhaka’ is intended. Karpal being a senior lawyer with extensive knowledge of the law is just merely putting forward his personal opinion on that matter, though perhaps a little bit harsh considering the subject matter of the criticism, which is based on sound application of the law. His comments were made merely in an effort to show off his knowledge and presence, a typical act of a lawyer cum politician his age.

 

But one matter does give stark contrast to the two person’s situations as stated above. The boy seek apology. Karpal refuse to do so. Perhaps Karpal can learn something from this boy whom he had lodged a police report against and that lesson would be to acknowledge your mistake and try to remedy it. Promote peace not confrontation.

 

All that I wish for is that Malaysians regardless who they are can instil the feeling of tolerance and compromise deep in their hearts. We may have different political allegiances but nevertheless we are also brothers and neighbours. Let us all respect each other and together live in harmony.