The True Life of a Commissioner of Oath

Not Really Exciting Job, lah!

As Loyar Buruk puts it in an earlier posting,in his own laughable treatment of this subject, I would like to tell you a story in the life of a Commissioner of Oath(COM).

I do not believe the comparison of a COM with the other Commissioners is apt on almost all counts. While the others are almost ordained full-time occupations with fat pay and a platoon of workers to boot, COMs are lowly paid, providing a much needed community service on behalf of the courts.

The COM is a humble person doing his 'business', if ever that could be called. He is an extension worker of the court system; an adjunct of sorts.

Granted the poor man's rate of only being paid RM4 per document for the work he has to do and all the obligations he has to carry out if he is not to fall foul of the COM Rules, 1993, he is indeed a wretched creature eking out a humble  living while the government pour and heap revisions upon revisions on doctor's salaries and allowances. That goes for nurses and particularly police, army and teachers.

The rates are overdue for a revision ages ago and yet no one cares about the poor plight of the COMs. The process can be tedious and not what Loyar Buruk under-represented. Just take the laborious process of oath taking for the documents that needs to be formally administered by a COM. This include explaining the contents to the blind, illiterate as well to those who do not understand the language in which such documents are written in. Inter-language translation and interpretation may also be involved. A lot of patience,Loyar Buruk!

A fair rate would now be in the region of RM6 for an original affidavit or affirmation and other such documents that needs to be administered by oath. The attached exhibits should similarly be set at RM3 a piece and they also go through a similar process. For  duplicates, it should now  be at RM4 apiece with copies of exhibits at RM2.

Why the need for this revision? Grossly overdue!

The rental of a small office or even a small corner of a secluded one now cost minimally RM350 in a city such as in Kuala Lumpur or Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya and possibly as far as Klang and Kajang. Just eating lunch in such places could damage your pocket by RM10 these days. No, Chatime, my friend-too expensive!

Speaking to a friend who happens to conduct his business in one of the suburbs of Petaling Jaya, he tells me honestly, he makes about RM1,000 or so a month after deductions for all overheads from rentals, land-line and mobile phone bills. That would not include bus fares as he cannot pay monthly parking on the meager takings as a COM.

Those who have choice offices located near government departments such as court complexes, National Registration Department offices, Immigration, customs etal  can make 'more money'. Sometimes as much as RM3,000. But then, how lucky are you without those connections and cables?

Then there are rules to follow when you conduct a COM business. These rules are water-tight such as how you should be dressed, what should be affixed to your office wall and procedure galore that you must lead the customers through before administering the oath, sealing and signing the deponent's documents.

Also, watch that uncalled for business just about time you choose to close the office which delays your departure for home. The other thing are those pesky lawyers who want you to sign documents without the presence of deponents and some who lure you to their office to administer the oaths there.

According to my friend, he had better experience with accountants and company secretaries.(No offence to lawyers!).

Then, there are also those shock and awe visits from officers of  the courts. If, you are not there at the office at that time, woe betide you! This cat and mouse game is played to catch you with your proverbial trousers down.

If on that day, you do not have your name tag on; your register has yet to be in order,  your signboard is off the approved dimensions,and your  appointment and duties documents are not affixed on the wall, you will likely get a nasty report that could lead to your suspension and permanent revocation as a COM.

So, what does a COM do everyday at work? He reads his hard copies of "The Star" or " The News Straits Times" forward and backward and from bottom to top and from top to bottom. If he is an investor, he follows the snail-paced stock market movements on his iPAD; and keep on drinking tea (of many sorts) and running to the toilet;and eating biscuits to fatten his 'money bags' around his waist while awaiting for lunch hour and time to close office. A poor life this is , no time to stand and stare......

Yes, it will be a dull life and is only suitable for retirees. You also have to pay RM120 per year to be a COM at work. Duit lesen of sorts, faham? Each extension or reappointment if you are successful,will be for another 2 years.

Do not be a guarantor for you may end up in a bankruptcy proceeding and do not be an intrepid investor and get involved in petty  crimes accusations particularly deceit and cheating.

Mere proceedings may dent and annihilate your 'short  COM career' forever.

Also once you reach 65 years they will retire you for the second time. Unless the Chief Justice extend your service; which is unlikely.....