Malaysian Bar welcomes Muhyiddin’s clarification

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Bar welcomes the clarification by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin that the Government is not going to establish an alternative body to take over the functions of the Bar Council.

Its president Lim Chee Wee said the Bar had always taken seriously its responsibilities under section 42(1)(a) of the Legal Profession Act 1976 to uphold the cause of justice.

Following the Bar’s extraordinary general meeting on May 11 where it passed a resolution condemning police use of excessive force during the Bersih 3.0 rally on April 28, several disgruntled members suggested an alternative body be set up.

While de facto Law Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz appeared keen, Muhyiddin shot down the suggestion on Thursday, cautioning the Bar that its “Opposition-friendly” image was the doing of its own council.

However, Lim, who is also council chairman, said calls for them not to stray into the political arena ignored their role of upholding justice.

“Justice is so intertwined with governance that in order to uphold the cause of justice the Bar expresses its views on laws and policies, and works with the Government, Opposition and civil society in order to help shape laws and structure policies that serve the common good.

“We criticise the Government and Opposition if the need arises, and collaborate with civil society when appropriate,” he said,

Lim said the rule of law did not mean they must not criticise existing laws, such as the Internal Security Act which the Government abolished earlier this year.

He said they neither curried favour nor pandered to public opinion.

He expressed the hope they could “disagree agreeably, without having our existence and functions called into question each time the Government does not like what we say”.