Legal community attend glittering gala dinner
KOTA KINABALU: The Opening of the Legal Year Gala Dinner 2024 organised by the Sabah Law Society (SLS) on Friday was a glittering affair with the theme ‘Shanghai Night’.
It was preceded by an early morning walk from the Hakka Hall to the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), participated by members of the Bench/Bar and invited guests.
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Christina Liew, who was the guest of honour, described the event as a momentous occasion for the legal community.
It was co-organised by the Sabah Law Society (SLS) and the State Court of Sabah.
Speaking to an eminent audience of about 800 people, she said: “It is also an historic occasion for the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) being deemed a Court. As a former practitioner, I deeply appreciate the significance of this event for us all.
“We are privileged tonight to celebrate the Opening of the Legal Year 2024 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, with esteemed representatives from the legal fraternities of Singapore, Brunei, Taiwan, India, Hong Kong, Sarawak and Malaysia. A special welcome to each of our distinguished guests and visitors to Sabah, the beautiful Land Below The Wind.”
Liew opined that the presence of dignitaries and guests, local and from overseas attending the Gala Night 2024, was one of the most impressive in recent memory.
Topnotch members of the judiciary who attended the grand event, included Tun Tengku Maimun Binti Tuan Mat, Chief Justice of Malaysia, and spouse Dato’ Haji Zamani bin Haji Ibrahim; Tun Raus bin Sharif, former Chief Justice of Malaysia and member of the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC); Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abang Iskandar Bin Abang Hashim, President of the Court of Appeal Malaysia; Tan Sri Dato’ Abdul Rahman bin Sebli, Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak; Tan Sri Dato’ Mohamad Zabidin Bin Mohd Diah, Chief Judge of Malaya; and Datuk Ahmad Terrirudin Bin Mohd Salleh, the Attorney General of Malaysia.
Other dignitaries comprised judges of the Federal Court and Court of Appeal, members of the Judicial Appointments Commission; Judges and Judicial Commissioners of the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak, and High Court of Malaya; presidents and delegates from foreign Bar Associations; heads and representatives of the Federal and State departments and agencies; judicial and legal officers; and members of the Bar.
Among other distinguished guests were Chief Registrar of the Federal Court of Malaysia, Tuan Zamri Bin Bakar, State Attorney General of Sabah, Datuk Nor Asiah Binti Mohd Yusof, State Attorney General of Sarawak, Datu Saferi Bin Ali, President of SLS Mohamed Nazim Bin Maduarin, President of the Advocates’ Association of Sarawak, Gurvir Singh Sandhu, and President of the Malaysian Bar, Karen Cheah Yee Lynn.
Meanwhile, Liew extended her heartfelt gratitude to the State Court of Sabah, the Sabah Law Society, and all involved departments for their unwavering commitment to public interests, environmental stewardship, and justice.
At this juncture, she congratulated Mohamed Nazim, the newly-elected president of the SLS and his team.
“We look forward to continuing our close collaboration for Sabah’s progress. The same goes to the Society’s Immediate Past President Datuk Roger Chin, past presidents and their teams. We owe immense thanks for their significant contributions to our legal community,” Liew said.
On another note, the minister remarked that the State Court of Sabah, the SLS and World Wide Fund for Nature, Sabah Office, Malaysia, have been instrumental in addressing environmental concerns, notably through the successful hosting of the 3rd Annual Borneo Colloquium on Environmental Justice.
Touching on the upcoming Borneo Rainforest Law Conference in February 2024, cohosted with the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, Liew said it promises to be a landmark event, focusing on climate justice and environmental challenges.
“I encourage all members of the legal fraternity to participate in this enlightening conference,” she said, adding that she looked forward to continued collaboration and camaraderie in their joint efforts to serve the public interests and protect the environment.
In his speech, Mohamed Nazim thanked the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS) for being the main sponsor of the gala dinner, through the Ministry’s agency, the Sabah Tourism Board (STB).
It was a fulfilling evening with members of the legal fraternity doubling up as musicians as the “Ultra Vires” band and “I Pari Delicto” band entertained the appreciative audience, while the Sabah and Sarawak Court officers took to the stage to show off their talents when the formalities were over.
Cultural dances were performed by the Sabah Cultural Board dance troupe, apart from a multimedia presentation on “Sabah Destination” by the STB.