Contributed by Anis Taufik, Editor/Writer, Bar Council
Despite fervent hopes that the morning of 29 Oct 2011 (Saturday) would dawn clear and bright to herald the momentous occasion that was about to unfold at the Bar Council premises, it was not to be. On the contrary, the overcast skies barely allowed a few weak rays of sunshine through, and the usual din of Leboh Pasar Besar’s raucous morning traffic was absent, allowing one to hear all too clearly the distant rumbling of thunder, signalling imminent rain. As staff members of the Bar Council Secretariat dashed around – fussing over umbrellas for guests and adjusting the red carpet one last time – there was no denying the palpable sense of anticipation mingled with solemnity that hung in the air. The dedication and naming ceremony of the Raja Aziz Addruse Auditorium, an event that could not have been stalled by a mere thunderstorm, was about to take place.
Raja Aziz Addruse, the Malaysian Bar’s distinguished past President, passed away on 12 July 2011 at the age of 75. Called to the Bar on 8 Jan 1966, he had practised law for 45 years; had served as Bar Council member for a total of 21 years; and had led the Bar as President for seven years, spanning three terms: 1976–1978, 1988–1989 and 1992–1993. He had appeared regularly in the appellate courts as a senior counsel and had argued many difficult and controversial cases for the Bar. He had been a firm advocate of the rule of law and had had little hesitation taking a stand against violations of human rights and executive dominance. In speaking out on, and acting as counsel in, several public interest issues, Ungku had brought true meaning to the statutory duty of the Malaysian Bar, that is, “to uphold the cause of justice without regard to its own interests or that of its members, uninfluenced by fear or favour.”
In recognition of Raja Aziz Addruse’s contributions to the legal fraternity and the nation, Bar Council had decided to name its auditorium the “Raja Aziz Addruse Auditorium” as well as to initiate a memorial lecture series in his name.
Guests, resplendent in formal wear, began arriving as early as 8:45 am, eager to secure good seats. Amongst the guests who graced the event with their presence were Duli Yang Maha Mulia Yang di–Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir; Duli Yang Maha Mulia Tunku Ampuan Besar Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Aishah Rohani bt Almarhum Tengku Besar Mahmud; Yang Amat Mulia Tunku Besar Seri Menanti Tunku Ali Redhauddin Ibni Tuanku Muhriz; Yang Amat Mulia Tunku Zain Al–Abidin Ibni Tuanku Muhriz; Catherine Addruse; Raja Azrine Addruse and her husband, Jonathan Rogers; and Raja Adeline Addruse. Lim Chee Wee, Christopher Leong, Tony Woon Yeow Thong and Steven Thiru (President, Vice–President, Secretary and Treasurer of the Malaysian Bar, respectively) were also present. In addition, the event was attended by members of the Judiciary, various Ambassadors and High Commissioners, friends of Raja Aziz Addruse, and Members of the Bar – approximately 150 guests in all.
Shortly after the clock struck ten, Bar Council member Syamsuriatina Ishak, the emcee, greeted the guests and extended a warm welcome to them for gathering to pay tribute to Raja Aziz Addruse. A moment of silence was observed, and Muslim guests were invited to recite the Al–Fatihah.
Lim Chee Wee was then invited to deliver his speech. Speaking about Raja Aziz Addruse’s role as President of the Bar, he remarked that, “the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy”, quoting Martin Luther King Jr. Highlighting that the three occasions in which Raja Aziz Addruse had been President had been such times, he explained that Raja Aziz Addruse had always stood firm and spoken out bravely in the face of attacks and abuse by those in power. He emphasised that there could only be one “Ungku” – as Raja Aziz Addruse had been affectionately known to the Members of the Bar – and that it was now almost impossible to find in a single man all the virtues of a leader, teacher, scholar, human rights activist and friend encapsulated in Ungku.
The President noted that Raja Aziz Addruse’s “immense contributions” to the Malaysian legal system were “unparalleled”; it was due to his hard work that the Malaysian Bar had gained a reputation for its willingness to speak without fear or favour on matters concerning injustice. He elaborated on a few key episodes during Raja Aziz Addruse’s exemplary leadership, including the Bar’s battle against the introduction of the Essential (Security Cases) Regulations 1975 (“ESCAR”) and the trend of other draconian laws in the latter’s first years as President, and later, the 1988 judicial crisis. These examples provided the guests with insight on how “[t]hroughout these years, and indeed throughout his life, Ungku carried himself with dignity and politeness, his every act and statement a reminder that one can take firm positions and deliver strong messages without resorting to strong language, let alone raising one’s voice.”
Lim Chee Wee shared that in times of crisis, he found himself asking, “What would Ungku have done?” The answer to that question, although easy to summarise, was hard to put into practice: Raja Aziz Addruse “would have taken an unwavering moral stand, couched in terms at once certain and polite, and . . . maintained this approach against all challenges, in the face of all adversities, without thought of personal consequence.” Lim Chee Wee concluded his inspiring speech by stating that it was this high standard, coupled with the example Raja Aziz Addruse had set of how to live up to it, which was the latter’s ultimate legacy.
Cyrus Das, former President of the Malaysian Bar, rose to give his speech next. He described Raja Aziz Addruse as “a lawyer who exemplified all that [was] best in the legal profession”, and observed that, “with the passing of Raja Aziz, the Bar [had] lost its gold standard”. He reminisced that he had worked closely and over long hours with Raja Aziz Addruse in important cases, and had come to realise that there was no difference in the latter’s public and personal personas, for Raja Aziz Addruse “practised and spoke what he believed in private”. He mentioned that Raja Aziz Addruse had believed firmly in the human rights of the individual, and that such rights were “indivisible from constitutionalism”, thus spurring the latter to conclude that a public role of a lawyer was “to defend the constitutional rights of the individual and represent those who [were] treated unfairly.”
Stressing that Raja Aziz Addruse had not been a man who could have been “swayed by the popular opinion of the day” or who would have taken “the easy route of agreeability and conformity”, he added that Raja Aziz Addruse had “sacrificed the enormous opportunities for personal advancement that would have come his way if he [had been] a little more agreeable and a little less critical of those in authority.” Pointing out that the debt the Malaysian Bar owed Raja Aziz Addruse for his tireless and dedicated contributions was one that possibly could never be repaid, he ended his speech by noting solemnly that Ungku “was the best Chief Justice that Malaysia [had] never had.”
A distinct hush fell over the auditorium when Raja Azrine Addruse, one of Raja Aziz Addruse’s daughers, stepped onto the stage. She began by thanking Bar Council for naming its auditorium the “Raja Aziz Addruse Auditorium” in honour of her father, and elicited laughter from the audience when she shared that if he had been alive, he would have been delighted – and would perhaps even have commented wryly that he had at least had the auditorium, rather than the broom cupboard, named after him! She acknowledged Bar Council for dedicating a series of memorial lectures in her father’s name, and The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn Alumni Association of Malaysia for collaborating on the inaugural lecture, highlighting that it was indeed a fitting tribute.
Raja Azrine Addruse revealed that she and her family had found it fascinating to read – in the commemorative leaflet – and hear – from the previous two speakers – about her father’s many achievements and contributions to the Malaysian Bar. Although his professional side was something she had been aware of, it was not something she had experienced directly; in a wistful voice, she mentioned that Raja Aziz Addruse had always been “just our daddy”. She reminisced about him fondly, sharing a few anecdotes of their home life, before revealing that he had loved his work and the law, and had only stopped working when illness prevented him from continuing. In wrapping up her speech, she stated that he had been a true optimist and an extremely positive influence in her life – a man who had treated each individual with kindness and courtesy, no matter what that person’s station was in life.
Raja Azrine Addruse’s heartfelt speech was followed by the screening of a video presentation dedicated to Raja Aziz Addruse. Through the presentation, the audience caught a glimpse of Raja Aziz Addruse’s profile and the many accomplishments of his expansive career. The video clip also featured a montage of photos of his family members, and short interviews with close friends and Members of the Bar who had been blessed with the opportunity to work directly with him. It was especially touching to hear them recount their fond memories of him, and how he, “a true giant amongst men”, had impacted their lives.
The climax of the event was undoubtedly the unveiling of the commemorative plaque by Lim Chee Wee – accompanied by Catherine Addruse, Raja Azrine Addruse and Raja Adeline Addruse – to mark the occasion. As the dark blue curtains were pulled gently apart, revealing a sleek plaque that bore the words “The Bar Council Auditorium was dedicated and named the Raja Aziz Addruse Auditorium on 29 October 2011”, thunderous applause filled the hall. Lim Chee Wee and the three family members then posed for photographs by the plaque.
The first segment of the day’s events thus drew to a close. All guests were then invited to partake of some light refreshments, before the commencement of the Inaugural Raja Aziz Addruse Memorial Lecture at 12:00 noon.