Why I Took Law…

Ever since I was young, I have always been absorbed by politics. How Parliaments, Presidents and Prime Ministers are elected enthrall me. Why and when issues rise and fall like the coming and going of the tide keeps me at the edge of my seat. Until one day, I decided that I wanted to enter politics in the future. This was in Primary 6 (1998).

A decade later, I am in my 4th Semester/2nd Year at Universiti Teknologi MARA Malaysia. Here doing the Bachelor of Legal Studies (Hons.) which I will complete in 2009.

Why did I take Law? Because, back in 2002 or 2003, I reasoned with my friend: how much can you earn with a degree in political science? After all, the law, too, lured my attention. This was after writing and re-writing the U.S. Constitution in my days of solitude. Somehow I was not in the wrong programme. While I took it for granted in my first year, now Constitutional Law becomes more and more of a calling and obsession. With the Barisan Nasional’s loss in 5 states and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, new Constitutional issue emerges.

Last night, on my way to dinner, I was thinking of my future. I know that I will complete my Bachelor of Legal Studies in 2009. After that, I will be doing an M.B.A. and an LL.M. It’s just a matter of which comes first. Another Master’s Degree I hope to pursue would be in the field of political science.

But how will I support myself? I’m not of a wealthy background. I don’t have a trust in my name created for me. I cannot rely on my parents. As of today, I am laying the foundations for positive cash flow. I realise the need to buy my time in the future with a waterfall of a income. The journey is long and hard, but achievable.

At the end of the day, I intend to be acknowledge as among the experts in Constitutional Law and Political Science in Malaysia - if not the region. An expert who also rides on commerce and trade.

Becoming a Member of Parliament or the State Legislative Assembly?

Ask me this question 3 months ago, I would say ‘yes’. Ask me again today, I’d reply ‘probably not’.

After the loosing the 2007 Campus Elections last year, I began to think and ponder on the direction that I am heading to. Would being engrossed in politics help me help my countrymen? Just because loose, does this mean I cannot help those around me? Is being a member of the Students Representative Council the “is all” and “end all” way?

Here are the fruits of my reflection: Politics and position is one way to help and contribute. But it is by no means the only way. After all, we must not forget that there is always room for business in politics; but business holds no room for politics. The prime mover of societies have always been business, trade and industry. Democracy, like capitalism, follows the root of power: demand. A political party is successful because their supply (manifesto, candidates and vision) satisfies the demand of the voters.

After all, as I mentioned earlier, I am moving to become an expert in constitutional law and political science, emulating both Prof. Dr. Shad Saleem Faruqi and Jayum ak. Jawan, while embarking in business to support my studies and the assistance and contributions that I intend to do in the future.