PERMATANG PASIR, 20 Aug 2009: With four days left before polling for the by-election here, Barisan Nasional is still on the defensive and is struggling to fend off fresh revelations about its candidate Rohaizat Othman. Yusri Isahak Rohaizat’s former legal firm partner, Yusri Isahak, today revealed the direct involvement of his once-close friend and university […]
Bar Council
PAS harps on Rohaizat’s disbarment
By Deborah LohPERMATANG PASIR, 18 Aug 2009: Rohaizat Othman‘s disbarment from legal practice will be a millstone around his neck as he runs for the Permatang Pasir state seat as the Barisan Nasional (BN)’s candidate. From the start, at the filing of nomination papers yesterday on 17 Aug, most of the 15 objections received by the Election […]
Judgment improves criminal justice system
By Ragunath KesavanTHE Malaysian Bar welcomes the judgment of Yang Arif Datuk Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah that was handed down in the case of Prosecutor v Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, wherein Yang Arif ordered the prosecution to furnish the defence team, prior to the commencement of a trial, with all documents that are relevant and necessary for […]
International observer for Karpal’s trial
KUALA LUMPUR, 27 July 2009: The High Court has allowed an international observer from Lawasia (The Law Association for Asia and the Pacific) to hold a watching brief in the sedition trial of DAP chairperson Karpal Singh. Judicial Commissioner Azman Abdullah directed Lawasia to write officially to the court, and forward a copy of the […]
Access to legal representation a fundamental right
By George VarugheseON 17 July 2009, a group of Kampung Buah Pala residents hand-delivered a memorandum to the Bar Council expressing their concern, inter alia, that they have not been permitted to be accompanied by legal counsel of their choice in their negotiations with the Penang government over land issues. The right of access to legal representation […]
State intervention needed for domestic workers
By Ragunath KesavanTHE Bar Council commends the Ministry of Human Resources for proposing that domestic workers be given a rest day and for suggesting that all domestic workers have a standard employment contract. Despite adverse reaction from some individuals, we must proceed to do what is right and uphold human dignity regardless of nationality or class of […]
Nazri promises to ensure rule of law
By Zedeck SiewKUALA LUMPUR, 23 June 2009: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz has promised to look into the Bar Council’s complaints about the arrest of five lawyers in May who tried to represent their clients at the Brickfields police station. “I have accepted this memo, and [the complaints] are in my jurisdiction, I […]
Chua Soi Lek cautions against day off for maids
By Gan Pei LingPETALING JAYA, 18 June 2009: While civil societies welcomed the government’s decision to provide a mandatory off-day for domestic workers, MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek has called on the government to review its plan. The Bar Council and regional network Caram Asia today even urged the government to go a step […]
Watching Malaysia change
By Zedeck SiewUpdated 22 June 2009, 5.16pm DATUK Ambiga Sreenevasan’s reference point for how aware Malaysians are about issues is the taxi driver. The respected lawyer and former Malaysian Bar president is no stranger to being scolded by taxi drivers while she is dressed up in her courtroom garb. “‘Aiya, this judiciary, can buy,’ one told me,” […]
Police must stop harassing lawyers
By Ragunath KesavanTHE Malaysian Bar is alarmed and perturbed that the police continue to harass and intimidate lawyers by calling them in for questioning on matters relating to the execution of their professional duties. Most recently, lawyer Chan Kok Keong was served a Section 111 notice that was silent as to the subject he would be questioned […]
