This personal statement was part of this student’s successful application to King’s College London, University of Durham, University of Bristol, and Queen’s University of Belfast for Law. Additionally, she received an interview invitation from Trinity College, Oxford.
Why does enacted law differ from its aspirations? While researching for my short-listed legal essay for the John Locke Institute Essay Competition 2023, my interest in jurisprudence was sparked. Particularly, the morality of laws adhering to Fuller’s desiderata struck me, as it enables respectful governance under an effective rule of law. As a Malaysian, I examined my various experiences with public law to explore the concept further.
During my legal internship at Arthur Lee, Lin & Co., I attended a court case on the issue of Native Customary Rights (NCR) in Sarawak, Malaysia. To seek redress granted under NCR, indigenous landowners have to prove their possession of the land. While the law’s intent was to protect the minority’s interests, the illiterate aboriginals lack awareness of their rights. The law thus fails Fuller’s precepts to be practical and publicly spread. Awakened to the tragic reality of how the law failed to protect the citizen’s property, I thus realised that accessible legal education not only deters crime, but increases public awareness to speak out against overriding State powers. Witnessing this injustice strengthened my desire to use my future education to safeguard the minorities’ rights back home.
Concurrently, I discerned that politics interferes with the achievement of the law’s original ideals. Where I live, the Malaysia Agreement 1963 defines Sarawak’s autonomy; but political will led to the erosion of her rights through laws like the Petroleum Development Act 1974. I realised that this tension betrays Fuller’s criteria of congruence, fuelling calls for Sarawak’s secession. Intrigued by the intersection between laws and politics, I organised a webinar featuring the anti-secessionist Malaysian law minister and an activist to explore contrasting views on whether secession was desirable. Comparing both approaches towards empowering Sarawak, I concluded the issue was secessions’ feasibility. I agree with the law minister’s proposed constitutional amendments as I am confident that legislation like the Good Friday Agreement can restore Sarawak’s co-equal status without seceding. Through this, I see how laws shape our society, reinforcing my resolve to study Law to contribute to the nation-building discourse in the future.
Seeking to impact now, I volunteered in the Malaysian General Election postal ballot collection. During that election, the low voter turnout led me to research voting processes in different countries. I learned how mandatory voting laws are enforced to increase voter turnout, amplifying democracy. Despite its ostensible success rate, this punitive pressure may coerce unwilling voters into voting irrationally, conversely worsening democracy. I concluded that human psychology may affect law’s implementation. Although this law fulfils Fuller’s principle of generality, I wondered if Fuller’s precepts might still be insufficient to determine whether enforced law reflects its ideals. I hope my future study could help me reconcile polarising effects when laws are mechanised in society.
To prepare for the legal classroom, I have voluntarily undertaken H3 English Literature, an autonomous research essay on the presentation of death in Edgar Allan Poe’s oeuvre. Through cross-examination of seemingly conflicting secondary texts, I built up my analytical and persuasive argumentation skills. As Vice-Captain of the Debate club, I refined my rhetoric and critical thinking skills under time constraints. With my teammates, we ensured training was conducive for beginners. I believe these acquired skills would be transferable in my legal study as I inquisitively initiate class discussions.
I am eager to delve deeper into Law to study blind spots of law’s enactment to shape myself as a powerful communicator who would contribute to the legal world in Malaysia. With a rich legal tradition and influence, the UK exposes me to multiple ingenious perspectives, and would be ideal for my academic pursuit of Law.
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