'Curb hypocrite Bar's powers'
Published: Jun 10, 2014 10:53 AM | Updated: Jun 10, 2014 12:06 PM
Legal practitioner Mohd Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz has accused the Malaysian Bar of behaving like Pakatan Rakyat's legal bureau and abusing its powers to issue statements that are pro-opposition.
In view of this, he suggested that Parliament limit the Bar's powers and that the Legal Profession Act be amended to ensure that it does not abuse its position.
Legal practitioner Mohd Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz has accused the Malaysian Bar of behaving like Pakatan Rakyat's legal bureau and abusing its powers to issue statements that are pro-opposition.
In view of this, he suggested that Parliament limit the Bar's powers and that the Legal Profession Act be amended to ensure that it does not abuse its position.
"Limiting the powers of the Bar is important to ensure that it is fair and not hypocritical in making statements related to the law.
"Although the Bar Council legally represents 14,500 lawyers, morally, it only represents some 2,000 lawyers who are involved in the election process," he told Umno Online.
Khairul was responding to Bar Council president Christopher Leong (left), who called on Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to drop his defamation suit against news portal Malaysiakini.
Form an alternative body
Apart from this, Khairul, who once sued the council, also suggested the formation of an alternative body to provide check and balance.
"Today, if we lawyers want to complain, we have to do so with the Bar via the disciplinary board because Parliament has given them all the power.
"The problem is that the disciplinary board also consists of their people as well," he added.
In view of this, Khairul (right) suggested that another body be formed to tackle complaints from lawyers.
He added that the body could be headed by the attorney-general.
Responding to Najib's suit against Malaysiakini, Leong had said that the prime minister set a bad precedent.
He said public figures — especially those holding high public office — and political parties should not resort to lawsuits to respond to allegedly defamatory criticism or comments.
He added that good governance and accountability required that they "endure the full brunt of free speech."
Meanwhile, Rural and Regional Development Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal (left) also took the Bar to task over its stand on the matter.
He said the Bar's statement was judgmental and partisan.
"Listen to the case first, don't be judgmental.
"Look in depth into the facts and arguments before coming to a conclusion," he was quoted as saying by news reports.
In view of this, he suggested that Parliament limit the Bar's powers and that the Legal Profession Act be amended to ensure that it does not abuse its position.
"Limiting the powers of the Bar is important to ensure that it is fair and not hypocritical in making statements related to the law."Although the Bar Council legally represents 14,500 lawyers, morally, it only represents some 2,000 lawyers who are involved in the election process," he told Umno Online.
Khairul was responding to Bar Council president Christopher Leong (left), who called on Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to drop his defamation suit against news portal Malaysiakini.
Form an alternative body
Apart from this, Khairul, who once sued the council, also suggested the formation of an alternative body to provide check and balance.
"Today, if we lawyers want to complain, we have to do so with the Bar via the disciplinary board because Parliament has given them all the power.
"The problem is that the disciplinary board also consists of their people as well," he added.
In view of this, Khairul (right) suggested that another body be formed to tackle complaints from lawyers.He added that the body could be headed by the attorney-general.
Responding to Najib's suit against Malaysiakini, Leong had said that the prime minister set a bad precedent.
He said public figures — especially those holding high public office — and political parties should not resort to lawsuits to respond to allegedly defamatory criticism or comments.
He added that good governance and accountability required that they "endure the full brunt of free speech."
Meanwhile, Rural and Regional Development Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal (left) also took the Bar to task over its stand on the matter.He said the Bar's statement was judgmental and partisan.
"Listen to the case first, don't be judgmental.
"Look in depth into the facts and arguments before coming to a conclusion," he was quoted as saying by news reports.
View Comments0