26 August
RULES, laws, orders, or instructions are, in fact, nothing but a set of dos and don’ts for the entire public in general and the concerned bodies or persons in particular. They are the principles we all must observe, from the date they come into force. And, it is important that we all understand them, and have, at the least, some degree of knowledge about them.
While breaking a rule or an instruction may invite some form of administrative punishment, lawbreakers will certainly face legal action, too, depending on the degree of the crime they have committed. Myanmar has laws on every kind of offence or wrongdoing, whether corruption or embezzlement of funds.
But, people need to know what kind of action can amount to breaking a law or committing an offence, as the law shall not forgive anyone. And, people must understand that no one can escape the long arm of the law. So, they must have a good knowledge of the law, whether it is concerned with a social or moral obligation, or a specific field.
Unfortunately, there are many instances in which people have been found breaking the law knowingly or unknowingly, even though every sector is under legal protection. Even worse is the weakness on part of some law enforcers, who, while pursuing petty crimes in earnest, ignore serious ones, depending on the authority and power enjoyed by the suspects.
In reality, everyone is equal under the law, and the best way to bring down the crime rate is through the promotion of law enforcement. It’s very simple: greater legal action means a lower crime rate.
At one time, several children could be seen begging all along the routes from Yangon to the provinces, and people on pilgrimage or vacation gave them food or money. Unfortunately, their kindness only served to encourage children to beg.
But, thanks to legal action taken against the parents or guardians of any child found begging from a foreigner or local traveller on any road, we can no longer find any child beggars, especially on the road to Bagan, one of the most visited places in Myanmar.
It is a clear message for the entire people of Myanmar that we can certainly bring down the crime rate just by effectively enforcing the rule of law, which needs inclusive involvement, apart from the lawmen who play a central role in upholding it.
We hope that the country will take effective and comprehensive legal measures to demonstrate that no one is above the law.
GNLM
