I refer to the article Respect Court's decision, says Rais and Bar Council chief (July 10).

I wish to place on record that other than the remark "Anwar's trial has gone through the due process of law, and we need to respect the decision of the Court", the other remarks made to your journalist were personal and should have been understood within the limited context of the telephone conversation.

They were not intended to convey the position of the Bar.

Editor's note: Malaysiakini journalist Claudia Theophilus called Mah on his mobile phone the morning of July 10 — the day the Federal Court upheld Anwar's conviction — for an immediate reaction from the Bar Council.

Since Mah was out of his office, he asked Claudia to call him again at 3pm. When Claudia failed to do so because she was busy working on another news report, Mah tried to contact her. She missed his call but later returned Mah's call.

When contacted, the Bar Council chairperson first asked Claudia about the Federal Court decision and the reaction from the public. He then said that everyone should respect the decision. When Claudia referred to the disgruntled views of Anwar's lawyers, Mah responded by saying that those unhappy with the decision should resort to the ballot box.

Before ending the telephone conversation, Claudia recapped Mah's points. The Bar Council chairperson indeed repeated them — everyone should respect the court decision, and those dissatisfied should use the ballot box to bring about change.

At no juncture during the interview did Mah said parts of the conversation were his personal view.