Jinan is newly graduated from UKM Law Faculty. She has won the title of 1st UKM Ms Inspiration 2008. Jinan being the out spoken, energetic and intelligent law student has participated in numerous international law activities.

Below is the interview conducted by eLawyer with Jinan.

Can you briefly tell us about yourself?

My full name is Jinan bt Mohd Pauzi. I’ve just completed my final year at UKM’s Faculty of Law. I grew up in Massachusetts, USA thinking that I was half-Negro (a long story that one). I’m now staying in Kajang with my parents after spending five years away from home in a boarding school and a year in matriculation. I like to travel, read fantasy novels and bloghop.

I’m also scared to death of cockroaches and streamyx breakdowns (Yes, I do love Facebook that much!). I used to be fluent in Japanese, can write and read Korean (kindergarten level only, people) and can totally understand (but not speak) hard-core Kelantanese. Recently, I’ve unearthed a hidden talent which is- I’m really good at using my toes to grab things beyond my arms reach (e.g. tv remote). Ok, I’d better stop before I start telling about my pet rabbit which I accidently killed by hosing it down with hot water. Oops.

We understand that you have won the title of “UKM Ms Inspiration 2008”, what are the assessment criteria for someone to receive this award?

According to the organizers (I asked ok), the chosen female student is assessed by their achievements in both academics and extra-curricular activities. She must also have the extra “x-factor” or an “all-rounder” that makes her an inspiration for other students. This is the first time UKM has given out this of award. I just wonder why they didn’t make a Mr Inspiration award? Weird. I could have used a little company on that big stage. Oh well, maybe next year.

What are your achievements which make you won this award?

I don’t know how to answer this without sounding like I’m blowing my own horn but I’ll try to answer the best I can (please bear with me while I blow it a little). Well, there are a few students who are better than me academically but the organizers stated that my perchance for helping other students, be it in their studies or personal problems garnered me that extra point.

My participation in a student-exchange program in Korea last year and winning the Asian Law Students Association Law Debate (together with my teammate Mr Kee Meng Fai) in Jakarta in 2006, helped too. Other than that, I guess my belly dancing that night caught the judge’s eyes. Haha! Just kidding.Lol.

How do you feel when you knew that you have won this award? Did you expect this?

No, I did not expect this at all. I actually just knew the existence of the award when they announced it! And when my biodata was read out, they accidently (I really hope it was an accident) said that I was like 26 years old!!!So there I was trying to figure out who in the world was this girl when it was actually me. Now everyone must think I’m a ripe old 26 when I’m actually just 23. Sigh~

Seriously though, I felt happy to have that golden opportunity to shake hands with the Chief Justice (who gave out the award) as it’s not every day that you can shake hands with the Big Boss.

This may sound a bit “old fashion” question, but we are really interested to know, why do you choose law?

Actually, I really wanted to do medicine because in my former high school (Kolej Tunku Kurshiah), we were always taught that being a doctor was the only and the best choice for us. Or failing that, take up engineering. “Science students are simply not meant to go into Law” was the common misconception.
So the main and honest-to-goodness reason why I opted to read law was to prove to all the naysayers that science students can do well in law and I’m glad to say today that it’s been proven true! *pumps fists in the air*

*My reason may not be as noble as “I want to defend other people’s rights” but I think all this acting noble thingy is all bull anyways. When you’re choosing the courses for university, prestige, parental ‘guidance’ and future job opportunities are always on top of the list. The rest comes in after. Way, way after. If they do come in the list at all that is.

Since you have just finished your final exam and leaving law school. What is your plan for your legal career?

My legal career? First things first I guess. I will start my pupillage at Kadir Andri & Partners in mid-June. After being called to the bar, I plan to take my LLM and we’ll see what happens after that.

What do you think of the performance of our newly elected de facto law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim thus far?  Anything you want to say to him?

Well, he has been in the news a lot lately and for so many reasons. I think that so far, he has done a great job, from getting the government to acknowledge and apologize for the 1988 judicial crisis to the introduction of the Common Bar Examination (CBE). I personally commend him for the introduction of CBE as it will not only ensure that all law students are treated fairly but it will also help erase the general assumption that local grads are ‘low class’ compared to overseas graduates. I’m tired of hearing (and experiencing) about how some firms discriminate by looking at the school you graduate from instead of looking at your qualifications. 

So I hope that by the introduction of the CBE, this will not happen again. Everybody will be on equal footing with everyone else. Overall, I really like the way he addresses issues that had been previously swept under the same dirty rug these past years. Good Job!*salutes*

If I could, I’d like to thank him for all that he has done for the nation to date. Regarding the CBE issue, I just hope that the system will be carefully planned out first (especially with the local unis) to avoid any hiccups later on.

Thank you, Jinan.

Thank You.