I SLEPT WHILE THE WORLD PASSED ME BY

What if you woke up one morning to discover that the world you knew had changed forever? That with the retreat of the last tendrils of slumber it suddenly dawns on you that there is a discernible change in the world. You cant quite put your finger on it and force yourself out of bed. Then it strikes you that there is an unnatural silence this morning. As you rush to the window hurriedly, an impending sense of dread falls upon you. You draw the curtains as the full force of the change to the world is unveiled like a twisted panorama before your disbelieving eyes. The sun is covered behind thick red clouds causing the world to be bathed in an unnatural red glow, the trees in your front yard are withering and dying, the carcasses of birds, squirrels and other small fauna are scattered everywhere and the fetid, cloying stench of death and despair cling to your nostrils. What then?

Of course, the scene i just described is merely a fictional embellishment on my part and one which I sincerely hope I never ever see even in my nightmares. However, the realisation that the world may have changed beyond our wildest imaginings is very real and entirely plausible. Unfortunately, that scenario may very well be visited on all of us sooner rather than later if we continue to embrace inaction, impassivity and apathy.

As lawyers, we have a social, moral and ethical imperative to be involved, engaged, passionate, dynamic, willing and to participate.

The Pakistani constitutional crisis sparked international consternation and mobilised Pakistani lawyers to stand up against the oppression of the military junta and the injustice visited upon their Chief Justice, the blatant disregard of the constitution and the dilution of the concept of the separation of powers.



Hundreds of lawyers took the streets in demonstrations against the junta and ultimately many of them were assaulted, arrested and imprisoned. Nevertheless, their activism and fearlessness was not wasted and was instead a catalyst for the citizens of Pakistan to understand
the situation in Pakistan and the lawlessness of the ruling junta. At considerable expense to their livelihood and lives the lawyers in Pakistan stood up to be counted in the face of oppression.

However, here in our sleepy little corner of the world, we cant even gather up the energy to get involved in our own Bar activities. Senior and young lawyers are both guilty of this listless apathy here in Perak. Nevertheless, the bulk of my ire is reserved for young lawyers in Perak from whom one day we will draw our leaders and decision makers. It is a sad day indeed when the Perak Bar Young Lawyers Sub-Committee calls a meeting and the only person in attendance is the Chairman of the said Sub-Committee. Personal calls to young lawyers to take part in Bar work and activities are more often than not met with non-committal answers, complete disinterest, utterances of "no time", "dont know" and "dont care". And now you are telling me that a future leader will be drawn from this sorry bunch? Honestly, that causes me to shiver in trepidation at the thought. If we cannot even muster the effort to be a part of something (which we are, the PERAK BAR) to show solidarity and to participate in the various sub-committees and activites planned throughout the year, how then can we be entrusted with the heavy task of leadership in the future? Young lawyers MUST get involved. Get off that sorry fat behind and stop snaffling the crisps and DO something. There are so many sub-committees that require assistance and manpower. Offer help, make yourself available and be a part of something other than your own self-serving ego and apathy. Afraid that its all too boring and stuffy? Then take part in the various events organised by the social committee such as the upcoming Family Day at Sunway Lost World (nb: a rather tepid attendance of 14 lawyers as at date hereof), the upcoming Charity Nite, Paintball excursion, white water rafting, treasure hunt and of course the Annual Dinner. If even that fails to engage you then perhaps all hope is lost and you are merely a frivolous being with no substance altogether.

Life is too short to coast along without a greater purpose. If all of us, senior and junior, allow the apathy to set into our lives, then we will be like a rudderless boat set adrift on the ocean pushed here and there by the currents. Our course determined by others, servile and compliant. Seniors, you are caretakers of the world and have a responsibility to educate, mentor and set an example for your juniors. Juniors, you are future leaders and must equip yourself for that future, to be concerned, eager to learn and to take part.

"The death of democracy is not likely to be an assassination by ambush. It will be a slow extinction from apathy, indifference and undernourishment." Robert Maynard Hutchins

Therefore, wake up! Wake up before its too late, before the world passes you by and leaves you with nothing but regrets and self recrimination for the things we could have done but didn't do.


Submitted by Gavin Tang