There was quiet jubilation and relief among many people when they heard that the Council of Rulers had rejected the government's nominee for the Chief Judge of Malaya (CJM).

It was seen as a sign that the hitherto silent rulers had finally decided to intervene in our fast deteriorating polity. Yes, rule of law under Prime Minister (PM) Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's leadership has gone from bad to worse, with scandal after scandal involving top officials going unpunished.

Where can the people go for redress, and why should we rejoice when the royalty valiantly steps into the ring to restore some sense into a system that has been corrupted by decades of unchallenged power?