Guilty until proven innocent

The past week has put more weight on my feelings that in Malaysia, the justice system assumes everyone is guilty until proven innocent.
The first case involved that young man who absconded from his National Service because he was helping his mother eking out a living. The case could have been handled more humanely but the authorities pushes the responsibility back to the boy. They said he should have told them about his predicament and they would have reconsidered the order. How convenient. A good example of Islam Hadhiri, the much touted progressive face of Islam that the government wants to show to the people? I doubt the boy would in the same situation if he was "someone's" son.
The second case involved the Nepali worker who was jailed and whipped because the authorities thought he was an illegal. The Immigration Department head said that the Nepali should have told them the facts and they assumed he was guilty by the mere fact that he acknowledged his guilt in court using the national language. Has anyone in authority ever been at the receivig end of the law.
The way our Malaysian policeman asks anyone for their identity cards sends shivers to those who are not familiar with the procedures. Anyone in uniform has always been seen as someone powerful who could make or break their lives. There has always been a poor public perception of the police force. They are not seen as someone who will protect the public but more likely an unwanted element in their lives. Children are told that the police will get them if they're naughty. The black sheep in the police force seems to have increased its membership.
That sentiment also applies to anyone in uniform. That uniform gives the power to belitlle others. It is only when the situation is reversed that they realise how much hatred is attached to men in uniforms. Alas, that does not happen that often.