Once upon a time, in a law school far far away, there were a group of students who were studying together. At the beginning of their course, these people who originated from all over the country and who are of different racial and education background had no idea that something special yet damaging was lurking within the walls of the law school. So, they carried out their daily activities like any other normal student. As each day passed, they started to find similarities between themselves and grew fonder with each other. Then came one fine day during a photo shoot session for Law Career Convention where an idea sparked that they should form a brotherhood or a fellowship known as Smaxy (Smart & Sexy). They agreed upon the idea based on the reason that since all of them felt so close with each other, they were almost like brothers and sisters. Besides, they share the common goal of someday establishing a law firm as an addition to the three big ‘S’ law firms i.e. Skrine, Shook Lin & Bok and Shearn Delamore. Days, weeks, and months passed by until one day they realized that bad rumors were spreading around the faculty and it was really damaging to their reputation.
So that was a brief synopsis on the birth of Smaxy and what Smaxy is actually all about. Before I proceed and delve into the issues concerning Smaxy, I would like to ask any party who is reading this post to be open to suggestions and criticisms which I will put forward. This was what I asked for from the J.K.O.’s in the letter which I wrote to them during orientation week. Presently, Smaxy has been labeled as a group of arrogant, selfish, attention seeking, high profile and disrespectful people. Honestly, I would have to agree with this perception to a certain extent. However, as one of the members of this group, I would like to sincerely put forward my opinion regarding certain matters.
On behalf of the whole group, I would like to sincerely apologise to anyone whom we’ve offended through our actions. We are fully aware that it was very inappropriate for us to make an announcement in front of the whole batch using Smaxy’s name. In addition to that, we are aware that ZI has been publicizing Smaxy indirectly during his lectures last semester. I do not know if some groups might perceive this as a form of favourtism but whatever it is, we’re sorry if it offends anyone of you. Lastly, I’m also apologizing for the actions of certain individuals in Smaxy with regards to last semester’s examination results and some statements which should not have been made. However, this is not the end of the complaints which we’ve been receiving but apart from those three issues, I do not find that I have the obligation to apologise for anything else. From this point onwards, I’ll give a personal opinion on certain issues and will not be representing those who are in Smaxy.
Firstly, an unidentified source has mentioned that Smaxy is a group of very selfish, individualistic people who do not mix well with the rest of the class. Well, I strongly disagree with this statement. If you were to observe, the whole group of first years are already divided into cliques. Sorry to say this but you can see a group of Malays together and another group of East Malaysian Chinese, a group of three ladies who will always be together and many other different kinds of groupies. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not against all of these groupies but what baffles me is that how can we be branded individualistic when everyone else have their own cliques? It makes no sense that just because we have a name for our group and a Facebook page, we are deemed as arrogant and selfish. To make matters worse, this source stated that we so close together until we are so hard to be approached by anyone or click together. My answer to this is simple, Smaxy do not discriminate anyone! We have people of the different race, sex and education background. We are very open people who accept anyone’s opinion, suggestion or friendship. Thus, I believe that anyone who feels that way, then you’ve got the wrong company.
Secondly, this unidentified source went on to say that we are show-offs and like to think that we are more superior compared to the rest as though we’re the group from the movie ‘Mean Girls’ starring Lindsay Lohan (example is mine). For instance, she said, that almost all Smaxians who participated in the Internal Moot Competition was very competitive, aggressive and was speaking as though they were great. Now this I find, is another absurd remark. I can’t speak for the rest but the main reason I joined IMC was to polish my mooting skills and to make full use of the opportunity given to me to shine albeit being only in first year without any knowledge on moot. With regards to being competitive, I had to spend hours reading and researching law reports one after another just to prepare for this moot. Besides, there were cash prizes up for grabs and the chance of representing UM in Singapore was an extra incentive for me to win. So if there’s anyone out there who feels that I’m competitive, aggressive or serious when it comes to any competition, let me set it straight, I AM A PERSON WHO IS HUNGRY FOR SUCCESS. FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION! So, don’t you ever question my desire and hunger to win! You can brand me as an arrogant person, I don’t really care.
Thirdly, the issue of ‘tunjuk pandai’ was also the main talking point regarding Smaxy. They say that we are very vocal people who like to seek attention from lecturers either in lectures or anywhere else. She added that Smaxians usually use law terms or applied certain law principles when engaging in daily conversations. Now, before I proceed, I’d like to condemn the typical Malaysian students’ culture of “Dia nak tunjuk pandai”. This would normally arise when someone is vocal and firm in what he believes. I used to be one of those people who were hesitant when it comes to arguing certain principles or question certain solutions when I was way back in primary and secondary school. When I came to law school, I thought that people here are more open. That we as university students should be able to challenge certain conventions in life just like how Rancho did in 3 Idiots. Somehow, I was ‘misrepresented’. Personally, I feel that in university especially as budding lawyers, we should be vocal not only in matters which we are dissatisfied in but also to engage in a healthy two-way communication with the lecturers during lecture. In addition, since we’ve already learned some legal principles, what’s so wrong for us to apply in certain daily situations? If you can’t accept us talking as future lawyers, then are we supposed to talk like engineers, accountants or doctors? Only sensitive people who will perceive this as trying to show off and it is this shallow mindedness which will prevent UM from breaking into the Top 200 ranked universities in the world. Thus, I don’t really care if you think I’m too vocal or loud. I pay the same amount of tuition fees like the rest of you do and I have a right to speak. What makes us different is that you bring up petty and childish issues whereas I try to make my Tort professor feel like there’s at least someone interested in her lecture. I’m ‘torting’ it out by the way.
Now I must stress that what she said might not be of her views but what she had heard from certain people. Finally (I hope), she stressed that there are people who dislike the fact that we think we are already lawyers. She mentioned, for instance, the naming of our photo albums in FB e.g. ‘House of Lords’ or ‘Budding Lawyer’. My response to whoever it is who said this is, “chill dude. Can’t you have a lil’ imagination in your life?” (with Dr. Azmi’s tone). The reason I put up such name is because some of my friends who are not studying here are wondering why I’m dressed up so smartly. It was done bona fide(oopppsss another law term). I never thought for once that I would ever offend someone by naming my photo albums in such a way but it’s alright if you can’t be imaginative. Hence, I suggest that you either block me in FB or just shut up and live with it la dude. In addition to that, some parties can’t accept the fact that we named ourselves as senior partners in Smaxy. I can understand their viewpoint that we should not be so confident of becoming a lawyer in future but would it hurt if we just put that up as something to inspire us to work harder to achieve that aim. Pffftttt. *stress giler nak layan korang ni*
Then came the seniority part. Some seniors have been feeling uneasy because Smaxy has been more high profile compared to them (public opinion). Remarkably, even the seniors who have graduated have found out about us. They feel that we as juniors should not overshadow them and be more respectful. Well, to all my dear, beloved, adore and highly thought of senior gentlemen sirs and madams, we did not wish to be this ‘popular’. All we want is to have a sense of brotherhood between the members i.e. to take our friendship to the next level. We have never publicized Smaxy the way previous batches have done (e.g. conducting interview or coming out with their own shirt designs). We are definitely going to give respect to the seniors but one must know that respect doesn’t come through coercion but respect is given because that person deserves it. SMAXY DOES NOT WISH TO BE POPULAR! There are seniors who are wayyy better than us.They have won the National Jessup Cup from as young as 2nd year which is such an inspirational achievement for me. Thus, to all my seniors, we have never meant to disrespect you but we ask for your understanding that you were once in our shoes.
Before I end this post and get some rest for LawNite 2010/2011 tomorrow, I’d like to get the readers feedback by issuing this question: Do you change yourself to adapt to the situation or do you stick to your values and principles and let others accept you instead? Remember, no hard feelings! We are going to see each other for the next three years. Sorry if I have said anything which have offended anyone of you.
"Actual strength lies from inner self, not from anyone else," Zokhri Idris.
No comments:
Post a Comment