The Star Online: Nation
The Star Online: Nation |
- New Bar Council chief to engage stakeholders to uplify profession
- Lahad Datu: PM urges empathy for security forces’ personnel
- Lahad Datu: Foreign media can get info at Felda Sahabat media centre, says Zahid
| New Bar Council chief to engage stakeholders to uplify profession Posted: 16 Mar 2013 08:05 AM PDT KUALA LUMPUR: Newly-elected Bar Council president Christopher Leong said he would engage with all stakeholders, including the judiciary, to find ways to improve the standard of the legal profession. He said the Bar also shared the sentiments expressed by Chief Judge (CJ) of Malaysia Tun Arifin Zakaria who expressed concern over the standard of Bar members, as well the Bench. "We will be meeting the CJ and his senior officials of the judiciary in finding ways on how to improve ourselves and the judiciary," he said in a press conference after chairing his first council meeting immediatly after the council's 67th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at a hotel here on Saturday. He said at the AGM, members also expressed their concern that lawyers were not given enough time in making their submissions and in some instances, they were not treated with decorum by the Bench. "They believe judges should come up with extensive grounds of judgement, especially at the upper courts (apex courts) and not broad reasons since it's not sufficient when it comes to the salient points of law," added Leong. During the press conference, he also announced the council's three other office-bearers. They are Steven Thiru, former treasurer who has been elected the new vice-president, Richard Wee (secretary) and Karen Cheah Yee Lynn (treasurer). At Saturday's AGM, the 1,304 members of the Malaysian Bar observed a minute's silence as a mark of respect to the 10 security forces personnel who were killed during clashes in Sabah, with armed terrorists from southern Philippines. Touching on the main motion debated by members, Leong said the motion which urged the Bar to probe a senior lawyer involved in drafting the second statutory declaration (SD) related to the murder of Mongolian woman, Altantuya Shaariibuu, would be referred to the advocate and solicitor's disciplinary board (DB) for further action (on the SD). The Bar Council president pointed out that the council did not have the power to investigate or compel anyone to answer any complaint or allegation, as compared to the DB. He explained that the motion was withdrawn by the mover after being debated for nearly 90 minutes which ended with explanation from council members that the inquiry on the matter was at the tail-end and would be referred to the DB. "After what was revealed at the AGM today, and previous statements by the lawyer and a businessman for the past few months, it is proper for the DB to investigate further on the possibility of professional misconduct of the senior lawyer implicated with the second SD," stressed Leong. - Bernama |
| Lahad Datu: PM urges empathy for security forces’ personnel Posted: 16 Mar 2013 06:53 AM PDT PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Saturday urged the people to have empathy for the security forces' personnel and to stand solidly behind them in their every struggle. The prime minister said it was necessary for the people to understand what the policemen and soldiers were going through and what they would go through. "They (the people) will not give their support unless they are able to understand what our security forces' personnel have to go through in their line of duty," he said at a meeting with retired senior officers of the Malaysian Armed Forces, here. "They have to understand their duties, challenges, obstacles and risks. Unless they understand these, there will be no empathy," he said. Also present at the meeting were Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Chief of Defence Forces Gen Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin. The Prime Minister said that was why the people must stand solidly behind the security forces, namely the police and military, while the nation faced foreign threat. "We must understand the military world and if we understand the military world, then we would not have made statements that denied the integrity of our armed forces and police. "We would not have belittled their capability and there would not have been any statement from any rude leader that what had transpired in Lahad Datu and Semporna were purportedly a drama staged by the Umno government," he said. Because of this, Najib said, the people were angry and many police reports had been lodged, because there had never been any pact or conspiracy between the government and the armed forces. "If there were, certainly you who are here at this function can confirm it, it's not possible for any conspiracy without your knowledge. If we had collaborated to stage the drama, certainly the top and junior officers would know about it," he said. Similarly, Najib said, when the incident in Sauk took place previously, it was also accused as a conspiracy and drama by the government. There was no drama in Sauk nor in Lahad Datu and Semporna, there was no conspiracy at all. "This is something irrational issued by an irresponsible leader, as such we must continue with our struggles," he said. As such, the Prime Minister expressed full confidence that members of the security forces would carry out their task as desired by the government and the people. "I'm confident that we can overcome this test, challenge and threat. We will fight to the end no matter how long it takes, no matter what price we have to pay, we will ensure that our sovereignty and security will not be jeopardised by anyone. "This is my pledge. As for the government, it needs the strong support from the serving members of the security forces...(it) is hoping for the solid support of the top military commander," he said. Najib said if there were doubts among the top officers on whatever situation, this could bring about elements that could demoralise the security forces personnel. - Bernama |
| Lahad Datu: Foreign media can get info at Felda Sahabat media centre, says Zahid Posted: 16 Mar 2013 06:39 AM PDT BAGAN DATOH: Foreign media representatives, especially those from the Philippines, are allowed access to the media centre at Felda Sahabat in Lahad Datu, Sabah to obtain updates on the latest development there. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said, in addition, the armed forces or police could accompany them to the operations area to get the 'real picture', in the light of accusations of cruelty and human rights denial against the terrorists. "I will discuss with the foreign minister, Wisma Putra and police to permit the Embassy of the Philippines in Kuala Lumpur and consulate to visit those who are detained, upon completion of interrogation," he said. He was speaking to reporters after handing over 120 computers for Tamil, Chinese and selected schools in Perak here on Saturday. On Saturday, news portal the Philippines Daily Inquirer reported that Malaysia stopped a Philippine humanitarian team and the Philippine media from gaining access to Filipinos detained in an evacuation centre in Lahad Datu, Sabah. On the latest development in Lahad Datu, Ahmad Zahid said, the terrorists were in a desperate situation and had run out of food after being surrounded in a small area. "Their leader has abandoned them, their morale is extremely low now and the communities in Sabah are not supporting their action. "This means they are not getting information and the moral support of the Sulu people in Sabah," he added. The minister said, the development had made the terrorists so desperate that they even resorted to stealing food from a 'kongsi' house and food outlets. "We hope the local communities exercise more care because they (the terrorists) are hungry and their actions could be more aggressive. "This is also because the Philippine Government has given us very good cooperation. The Philippines will also provide us with information on the 35 people who were detained by its coast guards and navy recently," he said. He said, Malaysia would share information and other details with the Philippine Government on the detainees and stooges of the terrorists, who were detained after 28 days to facilitate investigation. - Bernama |
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