SEPT 18 — I am sure many Malaysians like me who have no formal schooling in law are wondering what can our country's professional members of the legal fraternity do collectively to steer the nation on to the right and virtuous path and become a revered lawful nation. To say that there is nothing wrong in so far as legality, rights and justice is concerned in this country is akin to acting plain dumb. Now that the nation is brutally being divided can our bastion of law practitioners do something?

If we agree that justice is being trampled upon. If we think that laws are being rubbished off with impunity. If we know that there is gross abuse of the laws of this nation for the onward and sole benefit of certain people in power. Then can our legal fraternity do something?

Perhaps the time is about right for all value-centered lawyers, magistrates and judges — retired and still in practice, to convene, collaborate and send your clarion call to the powers that be.

Perhaps, if it is not too extreme a viewpoint, our nation's honorable legal fraternity may even have to take that un-imagined stand to down their tools for a day and stand up for a correction of the state of observance of law and its practice in the country.

Politicians have been crying out against several cases of power abuse in the country. Civil society leaders and supporters have taken painful sacrifices to register their concerns. But we do not see light at the end of the tunnel. The country is continuing to be plunged into darkness.

The Bar Council has held EGMs and passed resolutions. It also seems to appear like banging against a darn blank wall.

Please all learned, principle-centered lawyers, magistrates and judges, do something for this country of 30 million people who are day by day being victimised in so many ways. Some politicians are not spared for asking about accountability. Investigators are not spared. Civil society leaders are being roasted with all kinds of bullying. Even our past statesman Tun Dr Mahathir seems to be facing an uphill battle of sorts.

The latest is the strange travel bans that are being imposed and appears arbitrary.

As concerned, caring and patriotic citizens living in perilous times, we ask can our legal fraternity of ethical practitioners and professionals to stand up and be counted.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.