Welcome

Hi.

This is KPUM’s new blog/forum thing.

We started this to provide a platform for frank and open discussion about various issues, legal and non-legal, plaguing Malaysians newspapers and coffee shops. There are apparently loads of forums here in UK which you can attend and give your two-cents, but as it turns out, these forums are not heavily publicised or supported, and so there are a few more cents out there not shared with everyone. We are here to encourage free expression, allowing all of you to say what you want here, online. We know you can express yourself on other blogs with cooler names, but we feel you should do it here for of several reasons.

Firstly, we feel that opinions and criticism alone is not enough. We have been talking for ages about the problems, but nothing has been done. Thus, we aim to not only discuss these issues fully, but also to come up with resolutions stating our stand on the issue and propose recommendations for change. We will then published these resolutions and recommendation, and forward it to the authorities concerned. They will most probably ignore us, or send a mean letter to the committee, but we will stand by it. KPUM has claimed since it was founded to be the representative body of all Malaysian law students in UK, even when some of them don’t even know it exist. We promise to do this from now on. We will represent you, rather than just claiming to, and you will be heard. But you first need to say something, even if its worth two cents.

Secondly, having an active body of members gives us more leverage to ask for sponsorship. The more you talk, the more money we can get, the more events we can organise, and the more free food you get when you come. Simple economics.

Thirdly, for your own self satisfaction. We know this does not mean much to some of you (or maybe that’s just me?), but you will be surprised at how good you feel once you have said what you want to. It gives you a sense of purpose. And even if KPUM can’t give you free food, we have given more if we were able to help you realise you are more than just a future degree holder, but also the saviour of our country (as lame as it may sound). We should not merely aim to be successful subjects of the system, but rather to be a part of a successful system. We may criticise the authorities for ineffective governance, but a bigger crime is to be indifferent. To be indifferent about a problem is not being neutral about it, but rather being supportive of it.

(but in any case, we will try to give you free food)

For all these reasons, we hope you support this forum. And on our part, we will try our best to give the representation you deserve. Looking forward to hearing from you.


Rashid Karim
Blog moderator