Questions:
1, It was recently ruled that a law banning college students from political activities was unconstitutional. Your thoughts?
2. Who’s your dream date for BAC Gala Night 2011?
3. What do you think of the current pro-democracy movement in the Middle East?
4. What scary creature/monster/politician were you for Halloween?
5. Tell us why you deserve to be Malaysia’s Next Top Lawyer.
NAME: Beh Huey Ching
1. There is this wind of change in our country and this decision is part of that change. The people want to be heard and they mean it this time. It is clear that the younger generation wants to be a part of this vital phase and finally, the courts are acknowledging it.
2. Adam Levine from Maroon 5. He knows how to work hard and play hard ! Look at how he rocks in the Moves like Jagger and Cosmopolitan UK cover !
3. It is for the better in the future. The people should decide how they want to be governed and not be controlled by one single power or man.
4. People thought I was dressing up as the sexy,dead nurse. But I was really an injured-in-a-crash air stewardess.
5. I can tell you for sure that I don't deserve that (yet) because I am not a lawyer. But definitely a good goal to jot down in my list. =)
NAME: Alvin Kei
1. If college students are allowed to vote, why can't they take part in political activities since 'voting' is considered picking a political side which you favor.
2. Johnnie Black.
3. True democracy isn't being practiced at all even in developed countries, so how successful can it be in a post-war country with Western intervention, who are only interested in siphoning out the black gold and not sincerely taking into account of the citizens' needs?
4. Justin Bieber
5. There are two kinds of lawyers. One who knows the law, and the other who knows the judge.
NAME: Neil Tan
.
1. I don't really keep up on what exactly happened back then, from what I have read, my view is that it's true that students nowadays do have a much matured mind than before, so if you say the law is "necessary to prevent infiltration of political ideologies among students who were vulnerable, capable of being subjected to peer pressure and easily influenced," that statement would appear flawed, by saying that you might be referring to those who has attained 21 years of age and still an university student are actually not a legitimate person to vote.
1. I don't really keep up on what exactly happened back then, from what I have read, my view is that it's true that students nowadays do have a much matured mind than before, so if you say the law is "necessary to prevent infiltration of political ideologies among students who were vulnerable, capable of being subjected to peer pressure and easily influenced," that statement would appear flawed, by saying that you might be referring to those who has attained 21 years of age and still an university student are actually not a legitimate person to vote.
2. I don't really have such a "dream date" though.
3. I always believed there's some sort of "underground network" which controls the almost everything for example the government, banks and etc and directing them to maximize their interests, also they will crush anyone or nation or any organisation trying to stand against them, so probably the middle east has been trying to resist against the network, and as a result a bloodshed has occurred
4. Woops sorry, never been to a Halloween party, so probably I'm just being the "Creature Neil" or "Monster Neil" or "Neil MP" throughout the day.
5. Ah sorry, I don't wanna be the next top lawyer in Malaysia, as long as I can still sit back and enjoy my life while the cash is still coming it like a tsunami, why become a top guy which you might subject yourself to "work like a dancing monkey and at the end of day, your client is asking you 'can discount ah?'"
(credit to Mr Chia Chee Hong, an awesome BAC lecturer for Company Law and Conflicts Of Law :) )
NAME: Vijayandran B.
1. Banning college students from political activities are unconstitutional as it hinders people's freedom of expression. However, regulations must exist in controlling such an issue. At such an age, a person is very easily influenced by peer pressure.
2. Some dreams should be left a dream.
3. It shows how power of the people can overcome dictatorships and maybe the youths of our country can learn a thing or 2 from them.
4. Take a look at the picture and try to figure it out.
5. No one deserves to be Malaysia's Next Top Lawyer. If you are hardworking and understand the game, being a top lawyer will be a certainty.
NAME: Natalie Chong
1. It is long enshrined in Article 10 of our Federal Constitution that everyone is entitled to freedom of expression. Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA) 1971 clearly contravened this, in a similar manner that Internal Security Act violates human rights principles.
Our revered Prime Minister, in his 1Malaysia movement has pledged to abolish this repressive and archaic law in promise of greater respect for civil liberties – this must certainly be applauded.
But my thoughts on this matter is that this abolishment has long been overdue and should have never been in place at all. Since majority of the voters are from the age group of universities’ students – could this be a strategic tactical step for the upcoming election? Whatever it is, I’m elated that students, being the future leaders of the country, are free to participate in political activities now.
2. Patrick Dempsey. His naturally wavy hair, slightly scruffy stubble and of course his McDreamy eyes just drives me crazy. He is not just a macho man, he is certainly someone charismatic and of exemplary character.
3. The Middle East has long been embedded with the idea of democracy. I agree with revolutionist who argued that democracy is incompatible with Islamic culture and values simply because of the lack of a clear cut difference between religion and the state stifles democracy in the region.
I personally think that the current pro-democracy movement is merely a cosmetic upliftment, played by the politicians to distract the eagle-beagle eyes of the media because in the Middle East, the economic and social soil is still not deep enough to enable political democracy to strike root and flourish. What needed are not merely constitutional or administrative reforms, nor just a change in government machinery and personnel. It is not even the adjustment of an obsolete political structure to bring it in line with a new balance of forces reflecting changing relations between various social classes, as was achieved by the Reform Bills in 19th-century England. What is required is a great economic and social transformation which will strengthen society and make it capable of bearing the weight of the modern State. Such a development is a necessary, condition for the establishment of genuine democracy in the region. For, in politics as in religion, a Reformation must be preceded by a Renaissance.
In the meantime, while it is futile to lament the absence of democracy in a region still unprepared for it, it is absolutely necessary to set in motion the forces which will transform Middle Eastern society in the desired manner. Great efforts must be made to improve means of education and as far as possible, bring about a cultural and spiritual unity which will bridge the chasms separating the linguistic groups and religious sects. Great efforts must also be made to develop the economy of the different countries in order to raise the general level and to create opportunities which will allow the individual to emancipate himself from the grip of the family, tribe, and village.” Then, and only then, genuine democracy can be achieved.
Closer to homesoil, whilst we lament so much about genuine democracy, no matter how imperfect it is, we are still fortunate to be in a perfectly imperfect one and the Middle East is definitely pale in comparison.
4. I'm going as sexy devilish lawyer for Halloween. Have the suit, a pitch fork, paint myself red, with horns and of course a pointy tail. If I have an option to resurrect Lord Denning from the dead, I will do so too – so that we can play trick-or-treat on legal judgment together!
5. Being competitive is a key feature of a next top lawyer. Clients today are driven by choice. Choosing among multiple options is always based on differences, implicit or explicit, so you ought to be different for a client to pick you.
Practicing law is by its very nature adversarial, and for me, I will always persevere on winning in an argument. I will never give up until no stones are left unturned. Being a top lawyer also means that you must be persistent as you will not get your way the first time around. You will need to write letter after letter, draft motion after motion, in order to succeed for your clients. Beware of irate judges, angry clients, and vicious adversaries. You must be able to take a fair share of abuse.
Being a lawyer always mean that you must be sharp in drafting briefs, contracts, motions, pleadings, and demand letters. I’m fortunate to be blessed for a flair of it.
Lawyers negotiate on a daily basis. Whether you are a sports lawyer negotiating contracts for professional athletes, or a personal injury lawyer negotiating settlements for injured clients, or a criminal defence attorney negotiating plea bargains, all this comes with practice. Being a shopaholic at a flea market, I’m glad to say I put this into practice pretty often.
Motion practice and trial work is all about persuading people to your side of the argument. Whether you are persuading a judge or a jury, it takes a great amount of skill and practice. Being an avid debater and an active public speaker, I’m pleased to say that I’ve honed this skill close to perfection.
Born in the Tiger year, I’m characteristically very aggressive and being a lawyer will definitely work in favour of me. I will be a pit bull as poodles will never be in the game. No client wants a lawyer who is a pushover, or a lawyer who waits for things to happen. Clients want lawyers who are hungry and unafraid of a fight. They want a lawyer who is aggressive – that clearly epitomises me.
Lastly, I’m an all-rounder. I’m good at managing my time because this is essential as a lawyer - I will need to juggle between paperwork, courtroom appearances and of course telephone calls.
So, what is stopping me from becoming the next top lawyer?
Questions by Nigel Lim. Special thanks to Bey Huey Ching.
