I feel sad that my friend Syed Azmi is being viciously cyber-bullied. I have worked with Mi on some cases and he's been very diligent and patient with my late night calls and has been a great mentor helping me with Humarap and the work I do with single mothers and babies.
When MoM and Humarap set up a Kitafund last year to help the vulnerable communities and children in Sabah, I set the fundraiser to RM20,000. The moment I shared it, he rang and asked for more info. It wasn't too long before PUAKPayong, an NGO that he spearheads, transferred the total amount. I then raised it to RM50K and with the help of other kindred souls, we hit the target and more.
Reading some of the nasty and unconstructive comments with regards to #JusticeForBella makes me ponder about the actual intention of some individuals. The word JUSTICE has strayed from the main concern in ensuring the best interest of the teen, is safeguarded.
He may have overlooked, he may have been seen as not being persistent enough, but I can assure you, he is NEVER malicious and I know this for a fact.
He has helped many, many people. I've been privy to some of the sensitive cases he has to deal with and as an observer from the side taking notes whilst he conducts these one on ones, I see compassion and perseverance in standing up for the most needful in the society.
Picking up from a conversation with another friend who knows Mi personally too, I echo her sentiments.
"He did what he did, said what he thought, without even insinuating anyone when there were many times he could have, even now. When he attempted to share his side of story, not just he was unfairly adjudicated, bits and pieces were extracted and used against him with no mercy, without looking at those excerpts in totality."
Azmi has newly acquired knowledge in criminal justice, so he spoke with greater caution than before, not mentioning names, not giving minute details as all these may have negative repercussions on the investigation process.
Let's hope Bella's assailants will be successfully prosecuted because too much have been out in the media which may be detrimental to the case - potential witness statements out in the public; documents and evidence likewise.
"People forget, burden of proof in a criminal case is beyond reasonable doubt. Chain of evidence must be absolutely intact to secure conviction."
And that is why I hope the dialogue for wanting justice can progress into something that will help. Let's encourage other witnesses to have the courage to tell their stories with accuracy to strengthen the case. Let us mount pressure to not just get legal procedures done swiftly, but to also ensure other caretakers of shelter homes do what they were entrusted to do - to take care of the being of the residents of their home...and more.
