Job Vacancy at Bar Council: Officer for International Malaysia Law Conference (Deadline: 13 Apr 2012)
Posted by Web Administrator
Friday, 30 March 2012 12:17pm
The Bar Council Secretariat seeks to assist the Malaysian Bar in upholding the cause of justice and protecting the rights and interests of the legal profession. In order to better serve our Members and the public, we are looking for qualified and suitable candidates for employment in the Secretariat.
To work for the Bar Council is to become part of an organisation that strives to promote the rule of law, uphold the independence of the judiciary and serve the needs of its more than 13,000 Members.
The work is challenging and often hectic but it can be rewarding to be part of an organisation that actively engages the authorities and plays an important role in the lively public discourse that is taking place in this country.
by YUEN MEIKENG, WANI MUTHIAH, SHAUN HO and TASHNY SUKUMARAN
KUALA LUMPUR: The first step has been taken to do away with the Internal Security Act introduced in 1960 to counter armed communist insurgency but has since become a source of controversy.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz tabled the first reading of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Bill 2012 to repeal and replace the ISA.
While seeking to broaden civil liberties, the proposed Act recognises the grave threat of terrorism, sabotage and espionage.
In contrast to the ISA that allows detention without trial, the Bill stipulates that all security offences be tried by the High Court.
Security offences include waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or aiding the escape of a prisoner of the State as listed under Chapter VI and VIA of the Penal Code.
THE Malaysian Bar Council commended the prime minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, for fulfilling his promise to abolish the Internal Security Act 1960 (ISA).
Malaysian Bar president Lim Chee Wee said the Bar fully supports the government's aims to combat terrorism.
"The government's counter-terrorism policy and actions must strike a delicate balance between collective security and individual liberties."
He said the Bar acknowledged that the replacement legislation -- the Security Offences (Special Measures) Bill 2012 -- and the amendments to the Penal Code, Evidences Act 1950 and Criminal Procedure Code was consistent with the Bar's position, which was the strengthening of safeguard mechanisms while maintaining strong legislation against terrorism.
Lim said the Bar appreciated the government's desire for quick action and the hard work of the Attorney General's Chambers in the study and drafting of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Bill and the amendments.
KUALA LUMPUR, April 11 — Putrajaya has abandoned plans for a Race Relations Act, Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz has confirmed, saying current laws could adequately regulate racial extremism.
The de facto law minister pointed out yesterday that other preventive laws like the Sedition Act and the Criminal Procedure Code already provide for occurrences that include offensive behaviour from one individual to another that could affect race relations.
“I think we can manage our race relations well. Anyway, an offence related to race would be things like seditious speech and this is covered by the Sedition Act.
“On offences like assault, it is covered by the CPC so we do not need a specific race relations law — all (offences) are covered,” he told reporters when approached at his office in Parliament.
“Whatever offences you may think may affect race relations have been covered.”
The minister had said last December that the government would table a Race Relations Bill during the current parliamentary session to regulate interracial interaction and foster mutual respect.
Student bodies say barring them from campus elections if they join political parties a step backwards
KUALA LUMPUR: The freedom for students to take part in politics — a policy that university students have been campaigning for — has finally materialised, but at a cost.
The tabling of the Universities and University Colleges (Amendment) Bill, Private Higher Educational Institutions (Amendment) Bill and the Educational Institutions (Discipline) (Amendment) Bill yesterday, while generally lauded, has now brought the students a new dilemma.
While the amendments enable them to join political parties, it bars them from engaging in political activities on campus to maintain neutrality at tne universities.
They are also not allowed to contest in campus elections or hold any posts in university organisations if they are part of a political party.
The “double-edged sword” has not gone down well with student groups, who believe they are mature enough to handle both tasks evenly and still juggle their studies.
Press Release: Repeal of ISA is commendable, but provisions in new law that depart from ordinary principles must be reviewed
Posted by Web Administrator
Tuesday, 10 April 2012 04:42pm
The Malaysian Bar commends the Honourable Prime Minister for fulfilling the promise he made on 15 September 2011 to abolish the Internal Security Act 1960 (“ISA”). Since its enactment more than fifty-one years ago, this piece of oppressive legislation enabling preventive detention without trial has been extensively condemned for being a gross violation of human rights, and for the cruel and indiscriminate abuse resulting from its use.
The Malaysian Bar is fully supportive of the Government’s aim to combat terrorism, which represents an extraordinary threat to international and domestic peace and security. The Government’s counter-terrorism policy and actions must strike a delicate balance between collective security and individual liberties, and be consistent with the rule of law.
In its Memorandum dated 19 July 2010 (“Memorandum”)1, the Malaysian Bar expressed its view that there is adequate legislation to combat terrorism and, where necessary, the existing legislation could be strengthened alongside improved safeguards and oversight mechanisms. Nonetheless, the Bar acknowledges that the replacement legislation — the Security Offences (Special Measures) Bill 2012 (“Bill”) — and the amendments to the Penal Code, Evidence Act 1950 and Criminal Procedure Code (“Amendments”) allow for the right to trial, and contain some provisions found in the laws of other jurisdictions2. Furthermore, the maximum period of detention of twenty-eight days, after the arrest and detention period of twenty-four hours, is consistent with the Bar’s position in its Memorandum.
Notice of Disqualification (Halim Ahmad & Co, Chartered Accountants)
Posted by Web Administrator
Wednesday, 04 April 2012 02:43pm
Kindly take note that Bar Council has, on 4 April 2012, issued a Notice of Disqualification against Abd Halim Ahmad, the sole proprietor of Halim Ahmad & Co, Chartered Accountants, of Unit 11-2, 3 Mile Square, No 151 Jalan Klang Lama, Batu 3½, 58100 Kuala Lumpur, pursuant to Rule 3(2) of the Accountant’s Report Rules 1990.
Accordingly, Halim Ahmad & Co is not qualified to give an accountant’s report to any legal firm for purposes of the Accountant’s Report Rules 1990, effective from 4 April 2012 until 3 April 2015.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Security Offences (Special Measures) Bill to repeal and replace the Internal Security Act 1960 is to be tabled for its first reading today.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said he would comment further on the Bill after it was tabled.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced his intention to abolish the ISA and make major changes to several security laws in his Malaysia Day address on Sept 15 last year.
Najib also announced the repeal of the Emergency Ordinance and the removal of the requirement for annual renewal of printing presses and publication permits.
It is learnt that the Bill will drastically cut the period a suspect can be held and will allow for detailed judicial review of any arrest or detention under the new law.
Sources said the new law would focus on dealing with terrorism, espionage and threats to national security with police being given less than a month to hold a suspect without trial.
KUALA LUMPUR (April 9, 2012): Amendments to Section 15 of the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA), which seek to allow students the right to become members of any political party, were tabled in Parliament today.
However, university students who hold posts in political parties will not be allowed to stand for election or hold any posts in students' society, organisations, bodies or groups in campus.
They can neither be involved in political parties within the campus. This is to maintain the neutrality in the campus, as stated according to the proposed amendments.
The bill of the amendments, tabled by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin, also forbid students to become a member of any unlawful societies, organisations, bodies or groups in or outside Malaysia.
2012 Bar Council Subscription Click the link above to download Circular 072/2012 pertaining to the 2012 Bar Council subscription, including the payment guide and a set of Frequently-Asked-Questions.
2012 Hotel Corporate Rates Attending seminars? Going for a holiday? Click on the link above to check out the list of hotel corporate rates for Members of the Bar, which is updated regularly.
Bar Council Bookshop Read MORE … but pay LE$$! Members enjoy a 20% discount on LexisNexis publications at the Bar Council Bookshop. Click on the link above for the list of available titles.
International Malaysia Law Conference (26 to 28 Sept 2012) Hurry up! The countdown continues and the current promotion rate ends 30 June 2012. Don't miss what is going to be the best conference in the region! On top of that, if you sign up with 5 or more people from the same organisation, we will give you a 10% group discount. Click on the link above to register.
Workshop on Financial Planning (18 May 2012) Organised by the Kuala Lumpur Bar Professional Development Committee, this workshop will take place at 10:00 am, at the Kuala Lumpur Bar Auditorium, on 18 May 2012 (Friday). The workshop will be conducted by Chooi Kim Ying. Click on the link above for more details.
Seminar on an Introduction to the Industrial Relations Act (23 May 2012) Organised by the Kuala Lumpur Bar Professional Development Committee, this seminar will take place at 3:00 pm, at the Kuala Lumpur Bar Auditorium, on 23 May 2012 (Wednesday). The seminar will be conducted by Wong Keat Ching. Click on the link above for more details.
Conference on Competition Law (31 May 2012) Organised by Bar Council with the support of LexisNexis, this conference will take place at 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, at Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel, on 31 May 2012 (Thursday). For more details or to register, please contact Vilashini Vijayan (03-2050 2095; vila@malaysianbar.org.my). Click on the link above for more details.
The Bar Council Secretariat seeks to assist the Malaysian Bar in upholding the cause of justice and protecting the rights and interests of the legal profession. In order to better serve our Members and the public, we are looking for qualified and suitable candidates for employment in the Secretariat. 
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The Malaysian Bar commends the Honourable Prime Minister for fulfilling the promise he made on 15 September 2011 to abolish the Internal Security Act 1960 (“ISA”). Since its enactment more than fifty-one years ago, this piece of oppressive legislation enabling preventive detention without trial has been extensively condemned for being a gross violation of human rights, and for the cruel and indiscriminate abuse resulting from its use.
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Circular No 102/2012: Mahkamah Sesyen/Majistret Kajang Moving to Kompleks Mahkamah Kajang
