I have said it a million times before and I will say it again. Abdullah Ahmad Badawi just loves establishing committees and commissions just as he loves leaving, and probably living, in a jet plane! At a whiff of an issue or matter which has the minutest semblance of a complication, no matter how simple […]
Posted inSelected Exhortations
“Democracy is more than the ritual casting of a ballot at multi-party elections. True democracy involves…”: Amos Kok
We applaud him, and in our hearts thank him for giving a reminder why many still shoulder on this struggle. As mentioned here, find the unplugged version of law student, Amos Kok‘s speech at the MALSA launch on 20 December 2008. Only minor editorial editions have been made to preserve the original message and tone […]
Posted inWomen Rule
Where have all the female heroes gone?
A 16 year-old girl was asked to name three female characters that she found inspiring. She quickly rattled off, “Paris Hilton, Jessica Simpson and Britney Spears.” Why? “Because they are pretty and boys love them.”
Posted inTalking about Lawyers
Beware, new collective in town – introducing MALSA!
20 December 2008 saw the launch of a new rights-based collective of law students. Numbering more than 100 already from over five private colleges, it will grow in strength very fast very soon.
Posted inJudging the Judges
Notes on a Talk by Tun Abdul Hamid Mohamad
On 6 November 2008, the former Malaysian Chief Justice, Tun Abdul Hamid Mohamad, gave a talk titled ‘Harmonization of Common Law and Shari’ah in Malaysia: A Practical Approach’ at Harvard University in honour of Abd Al-Razzaq Al-Sanhuri, a highly respected Egyptian scholar and jurist. These were some of my notes and thoughts upon reading the speech. All Quranic translation are taken from the translation rendered Abdullah Yusuf Ali with his commentary; Published by Amana Corporation. Finally, though I make general references to Muslims and non-Muslims, I appreciate the hybrid nature of one’s personality and affiliations as posited by Edward Said, and my doing so is merely to facilitate directness of expression where thoughts of the interaction between the two social constructs are concerned.
Posted inTalking about Lawyers
Majlis Peguam dibubarkan menjadi parti politik?
Ia amat menyedihkan apabila kenyataan semacam ini oleh Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang dibuat, jika benar seperti dilaporkan lebih kurang 1 bulan yang lalu: The Bar Council should opt to dissolve itself if it wanted to dabble in politics. … He also advised Muslim lawyers in the country to be united as Muslims were “under […]
Posted inTry Me-lah
I.S.A. – Ikut Suka Aku, Ini Seksaan Aku
Rakus, kau perkosakan jiwa rakyat Kau rampas anugerah kurnian ilahi Apakah ertinya kebebasan dibawah belenggu kau Apakah ertinya kemerdekaan dibawah pengaruh kau
Posted inSelected Exhortations
Welcome Address to the Bar Council Human Rights Debate
An edited version of Mr. Edmund Bon’s opening speech at the inaugural Bar Council Human Rights Debate given on 9 December 2008. In his speech his explains the germination and eventual evolution of human rights and its development within the framework of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (‘UDHR’). He also discusses the qualities of human rights and deals with the cultural and political criticisms against human rights. Finally, he enjoins us to embrace human rights and use it as a weapon against oppression by government.
Posted inSelected Exhortations
Interview with LoyarBurokker Amer Hamzah Arshad
Amer Hamzah Arshad’s interview with Off the Edge for the December 2008 issue.
Posted inTalking about Lawyers
Legal aid as a place for development of legal skills and experience
Some time ago, I was invited to address young lawyers at a conference organized by the International Bar Association (IBA) in Singapore on the topic “Strategy for a Successful Legal Career Planning: Pro Bono and Governmental Entities”. I have tidied up the text to reflect as much as possible what I wanted to say and what I actually said.
Posted inTalking about Lawyers
A Meditation about Moving by an occasional Mover
A meditation on the Mover’s role at the call to the Bar.
Posted inExpress Yourself
In thinking about talking about sensitive issues
On 3 December 2008, the Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was reported to have announced that UMNO (United Malays National Organization) would “draw up a mechanism that would allow sensitive feelings to be discussed without offending the feelings of other parties.” What an amazing invention that would be if it could actually exist […]
Posted inSelected Judgments
Grounds of Judgment of Raja Petra bin Raja Kamarudin lwn Menteri Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri
The RPK Grounds of Judgment by Datuk Syed Ahmad Helmy
Posted inTalking about Lawyers
Tribute: Roger Tan Retires as Bar Council Webmaster
Tribute to Roger Tan
Posted inCase Notes
A Consideration of Judicial Pronouncements on Privileged Communications
A consideration of England’s House of Lord’s decision in Rush & Tompkins Ltd v Greater London Council and Another [1989] 1 AC 1280 and Malaysia’s High Court decisions of Oh Kuang Liang v Associated Wood Industries Sdn Bhd [1995] 2 CLJ 961 and Dusun Desaru Sdn Bhd & Anor v Wang Ah Yu & Anor [1999] 2 CLJ 749.
Posted inBolehland
On Royal Immunity
Reflections on the Regent of Negri Sembilan, Tunku Naquiyuddin Tuanku Ja’afar’s recent media statement on 26 November 2008 to reinstate complete legal immunity to the rulers.
Posted inTalking about Lawyers
Of Mentions and Mentioning on Behalf
A meditation on a mention date and an exploration into the implications of ‘mentioning on behalf’ of another party in court.
Posted inCase Notes
Of technology and its influence in the formation of legal principles
A meditation about the interactivity between the formation of legal principles and the available technology at the time, and how the latter influences the former.
Posted inTalking about Lawyers
A Plea to Lawyers to Vote
A call to arms to lawyers to vote. I’ve been requested to post this from a considerate lawyer, Sasha Lyna Abdul Latif. Epilogue: Sadly, despite in these elections for the 2009-2010 Bar Council, only 3,683 ballots were returned out of a total 12,747 issued. For full results, see the Malaysian Bar website.
Posted inThe Lobby
Legal Blog Writing Contest by eLawyer.com.my
A legal blog writing contest held by eLawyer.com.my open to all with cash prizes to be won. The contest is supported by the Law Society (University Malaya), the UK Malaysian Law Student Union, the Law Student’s Union (International Islamic University Malaysia), the Law & Commerce Society (Management & Science University Law Society) and the Law […]