Introducing a new weekly column by a brand-new LoyarBurokker!
Hello, and welcome to Livin’ La Vida Loyar (“LLVL”). LLVL is a new weekly column, exclusive to the folks at LoyarBurok, contributed by me, Alter Ego, a corporate lawyer in Kuala Lumpur.
LLVL will be a semi-fictional, sorta-kinda-fact-based, non-chronological, account of my experiences as a loyar for the past “several” years (hey, a girl doesn’t easily reveal her age okay?), both in and out of the office. True to the realities of being a loyar, this will include all aspects of the blood, sweat, tears, and humour of loyar-dom.
If you’re a lawyer, you may be able to relate my stories to some of your own experiences.
If you’re a non-lawyer, please note that the stories aren’t an accurate portrayal of a lawyer’s life. Reality is much more extreme. MUCH more extreme.
Names and details will of course be changed to protect the innocent, and the potentially-violent guilty. As all fiction is to some extent autobiographical, you may think I’m writing about you. I’m not. Jangan perasan. You may also think you know me. You don’t. Jangan kay-poh.
Look out for the coming instalments of LLVL, and enjoy reading about la vida loyar.
Alter Ego wants to write about all aspects of loyar-dom. She is writing this column anonymously because she doesn’t want people around her to know that, when she’s furiously typing on her BlackBerry in their presence, she is actually taking notes for this column! Plus of course there’s all this mumbo-jumbo about client confidentiality and getting disbarred. If you have an interesting story to share from your experiences as a lawyer, or your encounters with a lawyer, please email her at [email protected]. Confidentiality is guaranteed. She thinks tweeting should be left to the birds.
Dear Lord Bobo,
I think your assessment as regard Alter Ego's need for anonymity is fair and necessary. Upon reflecting on what I've said, I realise that I could be somewhat a bit harsh with my comments, not really taking into consideration other matters pertaining to Alter Ego's real life and practical realities.
On another note, as regard Lingswaran Singh's article, just out of curiosity, did Lingswaran request for anonymity and his request was rejected in his article dismissing the constitution? I take it that in Lord Bobo's wisdom, there is no real danger in publishing his article, hence there was no need for anonymity?
Also, I am a new follower to the blog and I realise that most comments are usually not attended to by writers (although I understand that they don't necessarily have an obligation to do so). It'll be good if more response to comments come in, for the other articles.
Alright then, thanks Lord Bobo!
Hi Alter Ego,
What is your take on the matter?
I would appreciate a reply, if possible.
Dear Lingswaran Singh and Mohd Alif Othman
LoyarBurok appreciates your concern for consistency.
This response is to clear up the issue of our editorial policy on anonymity. As a general rule, which we attempt to strictly enforce, we do not allow anonymity except if the contributor requests so and justifies with good reason(s) that there are serious implications for the contributor.
For example, many students have said that if they wrote criticising AUKU or their universities, they may be hauled up for disciplinary action. On that basis, we have allowed students of Malaysian public universities – at their requests and depending on the nature of their posts – to write anonymously.
LoyarBurok is always open to discussion on this and a decision is made on a case-by-case basis.
In respect of Alter Ego and based on what she has told us, we understand her column will touch on some of her real-life, personal experiences as a lawyer. Lawyers have a strict code of conduct and ethics which includes solicitor-client privilege and confidentiality. The code may be breached if Alter Ego's identity is revealed as it would then be much easier – especially for those familiar with the corporate world – to identify the clients and transactions she has worked on/is working on. Client sensitive information is likely to be compromised which will also jeopardise Alter Ego's career.
We have had many sleepless nights dealing with this particular issue of anonymity. We have tried our best to think through this issue carefully, and we trust we have got it right.
Happy LoyarBurokking!
Dear Lingswaran Singh,
Are you saying that LB refuses to allow you anonymity when you previously asked for it? I am assuming you wrote a piece which is somewhat controversial and thus, the need (or at the very least, preference) for anonymity – which I think is fair.
I suppose with Alter Ego, this is potentially a matter affecting his "livelihood", but then again, who is to say that your piece (whichever it is) cannot get you locked up or get you in trouble with the authorities?
So yes, I think LB has been inconsistent with its approach and now that it is expanding, it is playing its cards to the effect of maximising its interest – that means, sacrificing principles for expansion.
Kinda like a capitalist – profit only corporation ran under the guise of human rights and what not with the defence of "freedom of expression" being its ultimate shield.
I was made to understand that anonymity was only for protecting the writer from much serious matters that would have implication on the writer. I figured it was only allowed for students and journalist, and that ugly monkey!
I am baffled at how Loyar Burok thinks me writing an articles to dismiss the constitution requires no anonymity, but a semi-fictional, sorta-kinda-fact-based, non-chronological, account of experiences as a loyar, with aspects of blood, sweat, tears, and humour of loyar-dom, deserves anonymity.
That's it, no more toleration. I'm calling for a rebellion against the ugly monkey!
Is this another copycat of Anonymous Lawyer by Jeremy Blachman?