"Tengok TikTok Tun Laila, dia dah explain"

Assalamualaikum and hi.

Two months have passed, and I just got the time to write. So I can recall and relive the moment. 

Some day in February 2024, while I was casually waiting in front of the Immigration, Putrajaya for settling my client's case, like always, I used the time to record a video. The day before that, a case went viral for the Federal Court's decision; Nik Elin v Government of Kelantan.

As someone with law background, my followers always ask me on viral cases. I usually refused to comment nor create content about it since I understand an opinion from an outsider can affect the proceeding of a case, even though you are a lawyer. At least that's what I have experienced myself as a greenhorn. But this time, I felt like I needed to discuss on the case since some people took it in the wrong way. Also because it is not an ongoing case anymore, but it has reached the final decision from the highest Malaysian court; the Federal Court. 

My intention was only to straighten out the misleading facts, that leads chaos in our people. Since a lot of people asked me to make a video on that, so I did, while waiting in the car. Mind you, if nobody asked me, I would not talk about it.

And so, I posted the video and it went viral. I don't mind, since I needed the video to reach as many people as it can. 

Few hours after I posted my video, there were several video replies from the people who disagreed, twisted my words and further misled the public. They called me names. They said I am only a junior lawyer, what more with no syariah background, hence I had no right to discuss on the case. But, little did they know, I did not give out my opinion. It was not an opinion. It was facts. I was talking based on the grounds of judgment.

To me, I have hurt their ego. I know they were angry because my video managed to put forth the facts. Being the resilient me, I posted another video just to counter their misleading facts. I promised that should be the last video because people are going to listen to what they want to listen. And they will believe what they want to believe. There is no use in arguing with someone who had already made up their mind. Your points will forever be, invalid.

Apparently, my second video went viral even faster than the first. Exceeded my usual video engagement. The attack went even crazier too. Those who bashed me, either the people who are politically affiliated or the youngsters who are easy to be manipulated. These young kids started a meme trend with my name on TikTok, to other social media platforms. 

"Tun Laila dah jelaskan dah"

"Tengok TikTok Tun Laila, dia dah explain"

And ridiculously more.

I am not angry, but I am definitely annoyed. Above all.... I pity them, and everyone who had to endure that. Because even at the videos which are unrelated to me, my name is still there. These kids have little to no knowledge that by making my name viral everywhere, they are only giving me a favour. My video reached 7.7M and still counting in just 3 three days. 90K new followers in just over the weekend. 

***

Flashback to the pantun when I was in highschool.

"Andai Laila membuka bicara,

Bulan di riba pungguk sengsara"

"Andai Laila menyampai pesan,

Bertali bayu dalam hembusan"

So maybe, just maybe, the pantun was true after all. Jangan diberi peluang pada Laila untuk membuka bicara, jangan diberi peluang pada Laila untuk menyampai pesan. Because once she starts talking, she will make sure she is heard. I am grateful, for my voice can alter the perspective. Gives a different idea. I am grateful that my words can touch one's soul, into deep thinking and meaning. May it be used in the right way, may I always be in His blessings.

This one senior lawyer once told me "your journey is not going to be vanilla flavor, its rocky road". I guess this is one of the rocky road phases. I am forever indebted to these lawyers who are always have my back every time the world is against me. 

***

Nak jadi peguam, mental kena kuat. Nak jadi peguam, bahasa kena jaga. "Pengetahuan, kefahaman yang mendalam adalah suatu anugerah. Dua perkara ini akan melangkaui pengalaman". Tak peduli kalau aku adalah peguam muda, asalkan aku nak terus belajar, timba ilmu pengetahuan dan kefahaman, aku percaya ia akan melangkaui pengalaman peguam-peguam senior, yang bijak tapi sombong. Tiadalah faedahnya.

Nak mengorak langkah dan mencipta nama itu bukanlah satu perkara yang mudah. Tatkala peguam lain harus mencipta nama selepas diterima masuk dan didaftaraikan untuk dikenali. Aku? Nama aku telah tercipta dengan sendirinya sejak aku hanyalah seorang peguam pelatih. Bangga? Tidak. Gembira? Mungkin. Ada suka dalam duka. Hati mana yang suka dihina? 

But there is  always blessing, and the blessing is in disguise.

Nama aku dicipta atas cacian dan makian orang pada aku, dan bila aku terus-terusan membersihkan nama selagi aku yakin sandaran aku adalah Tuhan. Bukan manusia. 

***

If I can be honest,  I do not like the "Tun Laila dah explain" trend. Because I know it was a meme. People made fun of it. And they think it was funny. It gives me the ick when anyone says hi to me, but they happily mentioned "Tun Laila dah explain" to me. I will... unapologetically walk away. I do not deal with disrespect and insult. Some people need to learn their manners, and read the room. Maybe they do not know that it was a meme, maybe. But to me, the elephant is in the room. If you think it was funny, try to put yourself in my shoe. And try laughing again. 

There are also invitations from universities and organisations, even Brand collaborations who had the intention to make a programme/event with the headline "Tun Laila dah explain" and asked me to be the speaker. Now, you tell me, how should I feel? Being taken advantage of? I feel offended. But need no words, I will simply not reply. 

Anyway, Inshaa Allah when I have gained enough courage, maybe I can change the perspective. Turning the insult, to a progress. Only when I am ready, maybe I can start my own channel. 

 "Tun Laila kan dah explain?"

Until then, let's leave it as it is. I own my name. Till next post, bye and assalamualaikum.

Yours truly,

Tun Laila Tun Rafaee

4:18PM

Chambers of Aminahtul Mardiah,

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia