Home 
Notices Bar Council Elections 32 members seek election to the Bar Council for the 2010/2011 term
Notices Bar Council Elections 32 members seek election to the Bar Council for the 2010/2011 term 
| 32 members seek election to the Bar Council for the 2010/2011 term |
|
|
|
| Monday, 02 November 2009 03:28pm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Contributed by Chin Oy Sim, Director, Communications Division32 candidates have filed their nomination papers for election to the Bar Council for the 2010/2011 term pursuant to Section 49 of the Legal Profession Act 1976. The number of candidates this year is an increase from last year’s total of 23, and sees a return to the figures from prior years, when it was common for more than 30 members to vie for seats on the Council during the annual election. Notably, two ex-Presidents of the Malaysian Bar, Dato’ Ambiga Sreenevasan and Yeo Yang Poh, are not seeking re-election for the upcoming term. Members should receive
the ballot
papers by post beginning 7 November 2009 and may vote for a maximum of
12 candidates.
The last day for the return of the postal ballots is Monday, 30 November 2009. The ballots will be delivered to the scrutineers on 1 December 2009 and the results will hopefully be announced on the same day. The term of the 2009/2010 Bar Council members will expire at the next Annual General Meeting, scheduled for Saturday, 13 March 2010. Pursuant to the Resolution passed at the AGM held on 17 March 2001, below are the brief write-ups of the candidates standing for election. AMIR BAHARI Amir Bahari, LLB (Hons) IIUM, MCL (IIUM), DSLP (IIUM), LUTC (MII), IFP (FPAM), CPT (MIM) designate. Amir Bahari graduated from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) in 1997. He read law under the great luminaries of IIUM notably Tan Sri Prof. Ahmad Ibrahim, Tan Sri Harun Hashim, Tan Sri Wan Hamzah and Datuk Nik Abdul Rashid. Amir Bahari was called to the Malaysian Bar in 1998. As a committed member of the Malaysian Bar, Amir Bahari has also served the Bar Council Syariah Law Committee in the year 2006/2007 and in the year 2008/2009. Amir Bahari has authored 2 books in the area of Islamic Will and Meaningful Relationships and both books have been subscribed by the National Library. Amir Bahari currently serves as the Assistant Secretary General of the Malaysia Legacy Management Association (PERWARIS) and is entrusted as non executive Director of Training to design and coordinate a curriculum for Financial Planners in providing ethical and comprehensive estate planning services. Amir Bahari is blessed with 2 doting daughters nicknamed le Pomme (the Apple) and le Cherrie (the Cherrie). Amir Bahari is also an avid swimmer, a horse rider and an archer. In the area of Training, Amir Bahari aspires to be a Certified Professional Trainer with Malaysian Institute of Management (MIM). Amir Bahari is a subject matter expert and trainer in the area of Islamic Will and Faraid both for Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Islamic Financial Planner (IFP) under Financial Planning Association Malaysia (FPAM). He is also a regular trainer in the area of retirement planning.
 ANDREW KHOO CHIN HOCKAndrew currently serves as Co-Chair of the Human Rights Committee (HRC) and Deputy Chair of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) Committee. He also serves on the Legal Profession Committee (LPC) and the Islamic Finance Committee (IFC). At the HRC, he promotes and highlights the Bar’s position on human rights issues. These include repealing the Internal Security Act (ISA), speaking on Malaysia’s human rights record at the Universal Periodic Review of Malaysia at the UN Human Rights Council, working towards Malaysia’s membership of the International Criminal Court, proposing amendments to the SUHAKAM Act, re-introducing local government elections, compiling and editing a proposed framework by civil society organisations on how the Government should deal with refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia, and advocating fair treatment for women, children, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and minorities. The HRC is also involved in various initiatives on data protection, privacy legislation, freedom of assembly, expression and information, freedom to change one’s religion and its consequences, and monitoring rallies. Andrew is counsel for the Bar at the on-going SUHAKAM public inquiry into the arrest of the “Brickfields Five” lawyers. At GATS, the AG’s Chambers is drafting amendments to the Legal Profession Act and proposing rules to license 5 stand-alone foreign law firms, joint law ventures and register foreign lawyers. Andrew is in the joint AG’s Chambers-Bar drafting committee. Now that the Government is resuming Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with Australia and the US and new potential FTA partners, Andrew is back representing the Bar at preparatory meetings and negotiations. He is also the Bar’s Alternate Member on the Professional Services Development Corporation’s Advisory Panel, which is proposing new incentives and support schemes for professionals to improve export readiness and capacity in the face of greater globalisation of the domestic professional services sector. At the LPC, Andrew deals with queries from both advocates and solicitors as well as members of the public on the application of provisions of the LPA and the various Bar Council rules and rulings in relation to practice and etiquette. For the IFC, Andrew helped organise and facilitate 3 of this year’s National Symposia on Islamic Finance held in Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and Kota Kinabalu. Apart from committee work, Andrew lectures in the ethics programme. He also contributes occasional articles to the Malaysian Bar and other websites and is part of a writing group led by Raja Aziz Addruse on constitutional issues. Since May 2008 he coordinates assistance by the Anglican Church in Peninsular Malaysia to the Anglican Church in Myanmar for post-Cyclone Nargis relief and rehabilitation work among affected persons in Myanmar’s Delta region. Andrew is married to Yvonne and they have 3 children. And a dog.
 DATUK BALJIT SINGH SIDHUBaljit has been an active practitioner at the criminal bar for a number of years. He has carried his interest in that area of law into service for the community and the Bar. In this regard, Baljit has committed much of his time to the Kuala Lumpur Legal Aid Centre and currently serves as the head of the Dock Brief Programme. He is also a member of the Bar Council Criminal Law Committee. Apart from this, Baljit has served as a member of the Kuala Lumpur Bar Committee between 2007 – 2008. Baljit is also active in teaching prospective members of the Bar, having been a lecturer in Criminal Procedure for the Certificate of Legal Practice for the last ten years. He also contributes articles on criminal law to periodicals and is the author of a book titled “Criminal Litigation Process”. He is an industrious and dedicated member of the Bar and would unquestionably contribute to its needs.
 CECIL RAJENDRACecil Rajendra has been a human rights and legal aid activist for decades; and, though somewhat long-in-the-tooth these days, he hasn’t lost his passion for justice. He is current Chairman of the Bar’s National Legal Aid Committee and continues to serve as a legal aid volunteer. Cecil is immediate past President of HAKAM (The Human Rights Society of Malaysia). He is also a poet of repute whose poems have been published in over 50 countries and been translated into several languages. Cecil’s 20th collection – Parables, Prophets & Pillocks – is scheduled for publication in London later this year. In recognition of his pioneering legal aid work and exemplary poetry, Cecil Rajendra was awarded the first ever Malaysian Lifetime Humanitarian Award in 2005. He hopes, in this his last outing, to put legal aid on a strong financial footing.
 CHRISTOPHER LEONGIt is with pleasure that I nominate Christopher Leong for a position as member on the Bar Council. Christopher Leong has served the Malaysian Bar with dedication and diligence for many years and in various capacities. He is currently serving as a member of the Bar Council for 2009/2010 and is the Chairman of the GATS Committee. In addition, he is also the Co-Chairman for the organising committee raising funds for LAWCARE and the Women’s Aid Organisation. He also represented the Malaysian Bar in various cases including at the Royal Commission of Enquiry into the infamous videoclip depicting a person alleged to be a lawyer speaking on the phone about judicial appointments held last year. In addition to the above, his past activities include the following:
Christopher Leong has done invaluable work for the Malaysian Bar and has been most effective in everything he has undertaken. I highly recommend him to you to be elected onto the Bar Council for the coming term 2010/2011.
 COLIN ANDREW PEREIRAWe, Zainal Azlan B Dato’ Hj Abd Kadir, Sanjeev Kumar Rasiah and Reggie Wong Mew Sum have great pleasure in proposing Colin Andrew Pereira as a candidate for election to the Bar Council. Colin was first elected to the Kuala Lumpur Bar Committee in 2000, having completed his seven years of practice. He was re-elected in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006. He currently serves on the Professional Standards and Development Committee of the Bar Council as its Deputy Chair and contributes much of his own time presenting seminars to junior members of the Bar. We believe him to have the necessary experience and commitment to serve the Bar and this would be apparent from his past service, which includes:
2009/10: Deputy Chair Professional
Standards and Development Committee, Bar Council
2008/09: Deputy Chair Professional Standards and Development Committee, Bar Council 2007/08: Deputy Chair Professional Standards and Development Committee, Bar Council 2006/07: Chair, Continuing Legal Education Committee, KLBC 2004/05: Chair, Social and Pupil’s Welfare Committee, KLBC 2003/04: Chair, Social and Welfare Committee, KLBC 2002/03: Chair, Social Committee, KLBC 2001/02: Chair, Social Committee, KLBC We believe that, if elected, Colin will dedicatedly serve the Malaysian Bar and will speak up on issues affecting the welfare of its members. We strongly urge you to give him your support.
 EDMUND BON TAI SOONEdmund Bon Tai Soon has represented and served the Bar as a member of the Bar Council for four consecutive years since 2006. He served and successfully led the following Committees as their Chairperson, namely:
• National Young Lawyers Committee for two terms (2006-2008); and • Human Rights Committee for two terms (2007-2009).
Last term, while under Edmund’s direction, the Human Rights Committee
was nominated for the Suaram Human Rights Award 2008.Edmund chairs the newly-formed Constitutional Law Committee (ConstiLC) this term (2009-2010). With 99 members in the Committee, the ConstiLC has charted an ambitious course for itself, which involves a two-year nationwide campaign – called the “MyConstitution Campaign” or “Kempen PerlembagaanKu” – to educate 27 million Malaysians about the Federal Constitution, and through it, to promote the concept of constitutionalism and the rule of just law. In my experience of working with him over the years, I find Edmund to be a born leader with strong, grounded values and passion to better the Bar. He is committed to upholding the values of the Bar, protecting the welfare of members and representing their voice on Council. He brings an infectious enthusiasm and steadfast resilience which are essentials in the climate of our legal practice and at the Bar. I am honoured to propose Edmund as Bar Council member for the 2010/2011 term.
 FAKIHAH AZAHARIFakihah Azahari, LLB (Hons) IIUM. Fakihah Azahari graduated from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) in 1991. She was called to the Malaysian Law Bar in June 1992 and the Shariah Bar in November 1992. Whilst in University, she was a student representative of the Law Society in charge of the Student law bulletin and the Law Faculty’s Law Journal. Fakihah Azahari specializes in Islamic Finance and has written several articles on the subject for international magazines. Early this year, she wrote an article for MLJ on Islamic banking issues and development. She currently sits as an independent Director of a subsidiary of Bank Muamalat Malaysia Berhad and is head of the Training and Research Centre for Islamic Finance under Singapore Polytechnic, Singapore. Fakihah Azahari is blessed with six children, consisting of four daughters and two sons. Her hobby is reading and learning languages especially Arabic and Italian. She believes in maintaining a close relationship with her family and enjoys socializing with her community.
 GEORGE VARUGHESEWe have the distinct privilege of proposing George Varughese as a candidate for election to the Bar Council for 2010/2011. George can be described as humble and unpretentious. He is committed in his beliefs yet open to discussion, and more importantly honest and definitely not a seat warmer. In March 2009 George was elected Hon. Secretary of the Bar Council and has since worked tirelessly in ensuring that the Secretariat functions efficiently so that the welfare and needs of members are attended to expeditiously. He has contributed his energy and time to the Bar in various other capacities as detailed below:-
Needless to say, George deserves to be given the opportunity to continue with the good work and so, we endorse and amply recommend that you cast your vote for him to be a Bar Council member for the year 2010/2011.
HANARIZA ZAIDAN Hanariza Zaidan graduated from the University of Wales, Cardiff in 1995. Hanariza Zaidan was admitted to the Bar in 1997. In her practice Hanariza Zaidan focuses in the area Conveyancing and Trade Mark. Hanariza is known for her soft yet firm approach in each. Hanariza Zaidan enjoys traveling, reading, cooking and shopping. Her passion lies in with her 2 children.
 HANIFF KHATRIHanif Kathri graduated with LLB (Hons) from the London School of Economics (LSE) in the year 1989. He completed his CLP in 1990. Hanif Kathri was called to the Malaysian Bar on 8th May 1992. Hanif Kathri has been in legal practice for 19 years consecutively. Hanif Kathri served the Bar Council Criminal Law Committee and contributed his expertise by giving Seminar and Talks organized by the Bar Council. In his free time Hanif Kathri enjoys watching English Premier League. Hanif Kathri is a family man and is blessed with 2 wonderful children. Hanif Kathri’s vision as the Malaysian Bar Council Member is to uphold the principle of law and justice in serving all members without fear or favour.
 HENDON HJ. MOHAMEDOver the years, Hendon has served in several Committees and Sub-Committees of the State Bar/s and the Bar Council. For her, it has been giving back to the Bar what the Bar has given to her. She hopes to be able to continue to contribute what she still can to the Bar.
 HONEY TAN LAY EANHoney was called to the Malaysian Bar in 1990. She has a LLB from University of Buckingham, LLM from Warwick University, and was called to English Bar (Middle Temple) in 1989. She left the Penang Bar in 2003, and now practices in Selangor. Besides law practice, Honey was involved in doing pioneering research on divorce, custody and maintenance (see: http://www.wccpenang.org/legal-reform/family-law/), and on sexual crimes (see http://www.wccpenang.org/research/sexual-crimes-research/) for the Women’s Centre for Change, Penang, and on the impact of gender studies on students for University Malaya. Her latest publication can be read in Women and the Law in Malaysia, in Ariffin, J. (ed.) (2009), Readings on Women In Development in Malaysia – A Sequel: Tracing Four Decades of Change, MPH Publishing, Malaysia. Honey has made many presentations nationally and internationally on various issues regarding human rights, especially in the areas of equality and non-discrimination. In 2005, she presented JeffreyJessie: Recognising Transexuals at the 13th Malaysian Law Conference. More recently in 2008, she presented A Feminist’s View of Peace-building – How Helpful Is The Rights Based Approach? at the Gwangju International Peace Forum, Gwangju, Korea. She currently serves on the Family Law, Law Reform and Special Areas and the Professional Standards and Development Committees of the Bar. Her areas of interest include issues on equality, non-discrimination; and Judicial Studies and Activism.
ISMAIL ARIFIN Ismail Arifin holds an LL.B Hons Degree (IIUM) and a Diploma of Syariah Law and Practice (DSLP) from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). Ismail Arifin was called to the Malaysian Bar in 1997. With such strong passion of becoming Malaysia’s renowned litigator, Ismail Arifin dedicates himself to all levels of complex litigation proceedings. Ismail Arifin’s involvement in many legal proceedings involving public listed companies have provided him with the invaluable knowledge and experience needed to be a respectable litigator. His meticulousness, strong analytical skills and sharp legal acumen have won him great respect and confidence from his clients. Ismail Arifin is currently focusing on Construction Dispute matters while pursuing a Certificate in the 15th Entry Level Course to qualify him as an Arbitrator. Upon his completion, Ismail Arifin is gaining access to unlimited possibilities of solving construction disputes as an Arbitrator. Currently Ismail Arifin is blessed with a son, Akram and is an accomplished Landlord investor.
 JAHABERDEEN @ JABARI have known Jahaberdeen (also known as Jabar or Jahamy to his friends) for more than 16 years. He obtained his Economic’s bachelor’s degree from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. After graduation, he was supervising and taught economics at Stamford College. Subsequently he read law at the University of Leeds and did his pupilage in the chambers of Datuk Muhammad Shafee Abdullah. He subsequently obtained his Masters in Comparative Laws from International Islamic University of Malaysia. Currently he practices under the style of “Jahaberdeen & Co”. He has been a member of the Human Rights and Syariah Law Committees for some years. He has written a book on economics for form five students and “Islam: Antara Isi dan Kulit”. He had chaired several Disciplinary inquiries. He also acts as honorary lawyer and legal adviser for several NGOs and charitable organisations. He is active in several NGOs, such as JUST International. I have known him to be active in advancing several social and national issues including delivering talks on comparative religion and Islam in several local universities. I believe he is in the midst of completing another book touching on several issues confronting the citizen. In recognition of his social contributions to the youth in Penang, he was awarded the ‘Pingat Jasa Masyarakat’ by the Governor of Penang in year 2007. He writes on two blogs entitled “Journey To God – Ke Arah Mencari” at http://jahamy.blogspot.com and “Rapera” at http://jahaberdeen.blogspot.com. I believe he will be a valuable contribution to the Bar.
 KOMATHI ARUNASALAMKomathi Arunasalam is a criminal law practitioner. Day in and day out, she sees first hand that the scales of justice are not balanced. Komathi Arunasalam believes lawyers level the playing field between the Courts and those that go through the Court system. That is why this young person is a passionate advocate that every person deserves the right of legal representation. Komathi discovered the Kuala Lumpur Legal Aid Centre during her pupillage and has continuously shown interest in legal aid. Komathi is involved in various aspects of the Legal Aid Centre, be it training, serving on committees such as the Skills Committee. She assisted in organising the Criminal Law Conference held at University Malaya. She has also organised training for pupils and young lawyers known as Advance Training. Komathi believes that Legal Aid is not merely taking up a file but to provide legal services to the poor, needy and public at large. Due to her belief, she together with other young lawyers started the young lawyer’s legal aid group known as “LEGAL AIDERS”. The LEGAL AIDERS are a group of people who share the same belief that the Legal Aid Centres should do more than take up cases. Komathi has reached out to the community by participating in the Kuala Lumpur Legal Aid Centre’s mobile clinics. Komathi is well versed in criminal law, family law and employment law. She has put her knowledge to good use by sharing and educating others. Komathi Arunasalam is a person with perseverance and is strong minded. She believes that it is important for the voices of the young lawyers to be heard at the Bar. She is a highly motivated and talented young lawyer who wants to balance the scales of justice. We believe that if Komathi Arunasalam is elected she will be a voice for young lawyers on issues relating to their welfare and we highly recommend her to be in the Council.
 DATUK KUTHUBUL ZAMAN BUKHARI
 LEE SWEE SENG
 LOW BENG CHOO• Graduated with the LLB (Hons.) conferred by the University of Malaya in 1982. • Graduated with Master of Science in Information Technology (University of Staffordshire, United Kingdom) in 2002. • Called to the Malaysian Bar on 29th January, 1983 and has been in active continuous legal practice since then. • Elected to the Bar Council 1996/1997, and has been elected annually since then under Section 50(1) of the Legal Profession Act, 1976. She was formerly Chair of the following Committees of the Bar Council:-
She has served on various Committees of the Bar Council, including:-
 P. SUPPIAH1. Mr. Suppiah was called to the English Bar in 1959. Admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor to the Singapore Bar in 1960, Malaysian Bar in 1961. He is a very senior member of the Bar. Since then, he has been in active practice in Johore Bahru (except for five years – 1964 to 1969 – when he was a Legal Officer in the Malaysian Armed Forces holding the rank of Major). He was a Judge Advocate of the Malaysian Armed Forces for a while thereafter. 2. He was on the Bar Council in 1972, 1982 and 2003 to 2005 as Johore’s representative. 3. He has written a book on “Military Law”. He has about 52 reported cases in the Law Journals – civil as well as criminal. 4. He has been connected with football and golf. Still plays golf. 5. He has also written a book on “Football Rules”.
 RAHIM SINWANRahim Sinwan, LLB (Hons) IIUM, MCL. Rahim Sinwan graduated from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) in 1989. He read law under the great luminaries of IIUM notably Tan Sri Prof. Ahmad Ibrahim, Tan Sri Wan Hamzah, Tan Sri Syed Agil and Emeritus Prof Datuk Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi. Rahim Sinwan was called to the Malaysian Bar in March 1991. He lectured in IIUM from 1991 to 1994 and proceeded with his legal practice thereafter. To date he has represented clients in many cases including Landmark constitutional cases. As a committed member of the Malaysian Bar, Rahim Sinwan acted for the Malaysian Bar as complainant counsel in the Disciplinary Board from 2008. He also served the Malaysian Bar Syariah Law Committee in 2008/2009. Rahim Sinwan’s vision is to uphold the principle of law and justice in serving all members without fear or favour. Rahim Sinwan is also an avid sportsman. He represented Malaysian Bar in Premier Soccer in the early 1990’s. Currently he is participating in Ironman and conquering mountains in Malaysia and South East Asia.
 RAHMAN AZUBIRRahman Azubir graduated with LLB (Hons) from the University Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (IIUM) and Diploma in Public Admin from UITM. He has accumulated 18 years of corporate legal experience and active legal practice. Rahman Azubir is a Past Member of the Malaysian Bar Council’s Shipping and Admiralty Committee. Rahman Azubir is also a Life member for Malaysian Nautical Institute. He was also a Council Member, Institut Kelautan Malaysia (IKMAL) from 2002-2004. Among Rahman Azubir’s achievements are:
• Facilitate the legal inputs for the Langkawi Aerospace Training Centre.
• Present papers on the Muslim Personal Wealth Management.
• Present maritime related papers in various Seminar and Workshop. • Contributor of the in-house modus operandi for the Sungai Udang Pilotage Board. • Council Member for Institut Kelautan Malaysia [Malaysian Nautical Institute] • Editorial for the Maritime Malaysia, a quarterly on current awareness on maritime activities/interests by IKMAL • Presented papers for Seminars on Maritime & Environmental Laws, Malaysia
 RAO SURYANA ABDUL RAHMANRAO SURYANA BINTI ABDUL RAHMAN IS A SMALL, SMALL TIME PRACTITIONER. ON HER OWN since December 2003, she was called to the bar 27th of June, 1998. Single, she is raising a much-loved son aged 8. A lawyer, part-time lecturer, tutor, and full time single industrialist parent. She is known to be bold, determined and persistent. She practices mainly in the area of corporate work and civil litigation and takes up legal aid cases consistently. Despite her schedule as a proletarian law lecturer at the International Islamic University and Universiti Utara Malaysia she currently also serves as the secretary to the Kedah/Perlis Bar (2009/2010), secretary to the Syariah Law Committee, Bar Council (2009/2010) and a committee member (on invitation) on the Professional Indemnity Insurance Committee, Bar Council (2009/2010). From her chambering days she has been active in the Bar although prefers to remain in the background. She played ladies soccer once, for the Penang Bar in the Malaysian-Singapore Bar Games whilst chambering under Mr. Louis Edward Van Buerle. She received supervision from all the partners and lawyers of the firm M/s Cheong Wai Meng & Van Buerle as a pupil. She believes that “People are people through other people (Swahili: ‘Umuntu ngumuntu ngomnye’)”. She is happiest, at past-times, weeding lallangs. She is most proud of being a parent and advocates Life. She will definitely make a positive difference to the law society.
 RAVI NEKOORavi Nekoo is an active volunteer lawyer at the Legal Aid Centre, Kuala Lumpur (LAC, KL). He has served the LAC for the past 13 years holding various positions and finally became the Chairperson of the LAC, KL from 2006 to 2008. During his tenure as the Chairperson, he had written papers on many aspects of Legal Aid namely, the creation of a Legal Aid Foundation akin to the Taiwan model, seeking Government funding for the Bar Council Legal Aid Centres and also proposing reforms to the current Legal Aid Act 1971. He had also pushed for the waiver of filing fees for legal aid clients. Ravi Nekoo is currently serving as the Deputy Chairperson of the National Legal Aid Sub Committee. Ravi Nekoo had served on the KL Bar Committee for 3 years. Currently he sits in the Court Liaison Sub-Committee of the Kuala Lumpur Bar Committee. Ravi Nekoo is also currently serving as a Committee Member of the Law Reform and Special Areas Committee. As a Committee member, recently he was involved in organising a forum on whether the time is right to re-introduce local council elections in Malaysia. Ravi Nekoo is now involved in organising a round table discussion on the need to have a Law Revision Commission in Malaysia. Further, Ravi Nekoo is also a Committee Member of the Professional Standards and Development Committee. As a committee member he had worked closely in the production of the e-learning module for the pupils undergoing the ethics programme. In the past Ravi Nekoo had presented various papers articulating the rights of the marginalised society. He has presented papers at forums concerning the rights of the disabled, rights of migrant workers and also the rights of domestic workers. Ravi Nekoo had also, through the Legal Aid Centre, highlighted the issue of the abuse of Penan women and girls in Sarawak. Ravi Nekoo has also represented clients in public interest litigation matters concerning housing rights. Ravi Nekoo was also one of the lawyers assisting in the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the VK Lingam Video Clip. Having actively involved in the activities of the Bar and Legal Aid, Ravi Nekoo is now offering himself to serve as a member of the Bar Council. Having accumulated knowledge and experience on matters concerning, legal aid, human rights and professional standards development and having represented the Bar in various forums, Ravi Nekoo now aspires to work towards reforming the concept of Legal Aid in Malaysia. He hopes to work through the Bar Council to achieve this aim. Ravi Nekoo is also the author of several books.
 RAVINDER SINGH DHALLIWAL (RAVIN SINGH)It is with the utmost faith and conviction that we propose Ravin Singh for a seat in Council. Ravin is the personification of dynamism and integrity. This young person has in a very short time done so many things for the Bar and its members be it from organising workshops to showing up at police stations. Ravin has been at the forefront whenever a need has arisen for the service of volunteer lawyers. It is precisely because of this trait that Ravin is now currently involved with the ongoing Suhakam Inquiry into the unlawful arrest of our fellow members of the Bar. Ravin is a well rounded individual. You can easily have a drink with him and as easily discuss proposals and reforms to be put forth to Parliament. Ravin is working closely with others to lobby for the waiver of filing fees for the impecunious. Ravin is currently the Chairman of the Kuala Lumpur Legal Aid Centre. Under his leadership the Kuala Lumpur Legal Aid Centre has expanded in terms of size, the increased participation of volunteer lawyers, especially young lawyers and more outreach activities. Ravin also currently serves as a Committee Member on the Kuala Lumpur Bar Committee, and has previously been a Project Head at the Legal Aid Centre Kuala Lumpur. Ravin will bring enthusiasm, sincerity and intelligence to Council. Written by : Ravi Nekoo, Anand Ponnudurai and Fadiah Nadwa Fikri
 SITI HAJAR AHMADPuan Siti Hajar bt. Che Ahmad is a senior lawyer and partner of M/s Yasmeen Hajar & Hairudin, based in Kangar, Perlis. She was admitted to the Malaysian Bar on 13.5.1993 and is a MARA graduate. Renowned in Kedah/Perlis as a very experienced lawyer in Conveyancing, Banking, Civil and Criminal Litigation, she is a person as committed to her work (she is at the office at 8am and leaves only well after Maghrib), as she is to community work and God; faith in one’s religion, to her, is the basis of success. She raises three sons with the same commitment and have an admirable strength in character. Her humble house is always open to all lawyers and friends who consults her well into night! She has always been gracious and supportive of the Bar activities and has mentored many young practitioners in the North. She is currently the Kedah/Perlis Bar Committee Conveyancing, Corporate & Banking Law Chairperson for the year 2009/2010. She has and is also active in the legal aid activities and programmes at both the state and national level for many, many years and receives notable certificates of thanks for her service. She has also been serving as a panel solicitor for the Advocate & Solicitor’s Disciplinary Board since 2006 until now. She believes God will show any man the way if we ask Him (no matter what one’s religion is) for guidance. We believe that she has much to contribute to the legal profession and fraternity.
 STEVEN THIRUSteven Thiru is the Co-Chairperson of the Professional Standards and Development Committee (PSDC) this term. He served as the Chairman of the PSDC (2007 – 2009) and Chairman of the Industrial Court Practice Committee (2006 – 2007). He was Chairman of the Continuing Legal Education Committee of the Kuala Lumpur Bar Committee (2004 – 2006) and the Kuala Lumpur Bar Representative to the Bar Council (2006 – 2009). He is also currently a Council member of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association. Steven has over the years served in several Committees of the Bar Council and has effectively managed the many programmes involved. I have particularly enjoyed being in the Professional Standards and Development Committee that was spear-headed by him and which he now co-chairs. Steven performs his tasks with a sense of purpose and is both focused and totally committed to whatever is entrusted to him.
 HAJI SULAIMAN ABDULLAH
• Admitted to Malaysian Bar, 1969
• Member, Bar Council for large periods between 1989 and 2009 • Member, Exco of Bar Council for several years • Secretary, Malaysian Bar, 1993 – 1995 • President, Malaysian Bar, 2000 – 2001 • Member IBA Council 2005 – (as representative of Malaysian Bar) • Member of Council of IBA Human Rights Institute, 2007 – 2009 • Member of Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association • Member of International Bar Association • Co-Chair of Pro Bono & Access to Justice Committee, IBA, 2007 – 2009 • Member, Policy Committee, Bar Issues Commission, IBA, 2008 – 2010
 SYAMSURIATINA BINTI ISHAK (TINA)Syamsuriatina Ishak has been in active practice since July 2001, and in 2007 she joined her mum to run the firm, Messrs. Nor Azmi & Co. Tina, as her friends fondly call her, has been an active member of the Bar for some years, serving as a member of the following committees:-
• Human Rights Committee (2008-present)
• Ad-Hoc Committee on Rules and Regulations (2007-present) • National Young Lawyers Committee (2007-2009) • Organising Committee for LawAsia Conference (2008) • Legal Profession Committee (2007-2008) • Organising Committee for the 60th Anniversary Dinner of Malaysian Bar in conjunction with the Malaysian Law Conference (2007) At the Selangor Bar, Tina also served in the following capacities:-
• Honorary Secretary and Chairperson of Information Technology
Sub-Committee (2009-present)
• Committee Member Chairperson of Young Lawyers and Information Technology Sub-Committee (2008/9) • Management Panel of Selangor Legal Aid Committee (2008-present) Some notable contributions are:-
(a) leading the Internal Security Act (ISA) and Detention Without Trial
Laws Awareness Programme and coordinating periodical visits by lawyers
to the Kamunting Detention Camp through the Human Rights Committee
(2007-2009),
(b) revamping the Selangor Bar Website (2008-2009). (c) reporting proceedings during the Royal Commission Inquiry into VK Lingam Video Clip and the Malaysian Law Conference (2007-2008) for the Bar website; and (d) being part of the organising committee of the Young Lawyers Conference 2008 for the National Young Lawyers Committee, We believe Tina is an asset to the Bar and will be a passionate voice for its future, and are pleased to nominate Tina as Bar Council Member 2010/2011.
 TOH SU LINYears in Practice: 13 I have known Su Lin ever since she started practice in my firm, Messrs, S. B. Cheah & Associates, for the past 13 years. She is now a partner of the firm. Her capabilities and versatilities are demonstrated by the fact that she is not only proficient in corporate and conveyancing matters, but to many peers she is also known to be a competitive litigator in court. Su Lin is well liked with a pleasant and obliging personality which masked her strong will and character to stand up for what she perceives to be right. A lot of us believe that we should embrace change and move along with the times, and certainly it is time for fresh blood to be elected into the Bar Council who can reflect the sentiments and views of the younger generation of lawyers. To vote for Toh Su Lin is to vote for CHANGE! “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change we seek”
Barack Obama
 TONY WOON YEOW THONGTony Woon has shown great dedication and commitment to the work and affairs of the Malaysian Bar. As the current Treasurer, he has sacrificed much time and effort to eradicate the deficit in the expenditure of the Bar, continue with cost cutting measures for a leaner and efficient secretariat and increasing the non subscription income of the Bar. Woon has served the Bar in the following posts:-
We have no hesitation in proposing Woon as a candidate for election as a member of the Bar Council.
 DATO YASMEEN SHARIFFDato’ Yasmeen Shariff has served on Malaysian Bar as well as the Kuala Lumpur Bar (as committee member and secretary) for several years. She was responsible for setting up the Juvenile Task Force on Children held on Remand in Prisons and worked closely with the Legal Aid Centre. She has also served on the Legal Aid Committee, Law Reform Committee, Syariah Law Committee, Bahasa Melayu Committee, Family Law Committee, Sports, Charity and Welfare Committee, Gender and Equal Opportunities Committee (chair) and Law Care Committee (chair). Currently she is serving on Malaysia Law Conference Committee, Law Care Committee and the Islamic Finance Committee (as deputy chair). Dato’ Yasmeen was also the chair of the Islamic Finance Committee last year and was responsible for organizing the Islamic Finance Symposiums through out the country (Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Johore, Sabah and Trengganu) jointly with AIBM (with the support of Bank Negara). Dato’ Yasmeen also works closely with NGOs on issues relating to Women and Children. If elected she will be able to contribute positively and effectively for the Malaysian Bar.
Comments (5)
Committees open to all those wanting and willing to serve.
written by Andrew Khoo Chin Hock, Tuesday, November 03 2009 03:05 pm
It is the general practice that Bar Council members each chair one of the committees as part of their responsibilities. Those who come to the Bar Council by virtue of being State Bar Committee chairs thus have to chair 2 committees, entailing greater work and more responsibilities. Bar Council members also have diverse interests and may be members of other committees. Generally speaking, committees are open to all those wanting and willing to serve.
Spreading Leadership Responsibilities.
written by Tan Peek Guat, Tuesday, November 03 2009 07:31 pm
Dear Andrew,
Sharing of leadership IS the way forward.
written by Andrew Khoo Chin Hock, Thursday, November 05 2009 02:11 am
If one were to look back, one would note that my comment was that, "Generally speaking, committees are open to all those wanting and willing to serve." I am not aware of any one person's personal circumstances, and so will refrain from commenting. Write comment
You must be logged in to a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Subscribe to this comment's feed
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
Circular No 231/2010: 2nd Asia Pacific Regional Forum Conference
In order to widen the LEADERSHIP and responsibilities of the lawyers nominated, I humbly suggest that those elected ought to relieve themselves from the CHAIRMANSHIP of all other sub committees. We have many other members among us who are equally able, willing and capable, we must not forget that! At least do give them a try - so that their CRONIES would benefit as well, if not THEMSELVES!
This is to allow for the participation of more leaders, lawyers, and therefore, fairer treatment of ALL LAWYERS who have their requests, appeals, etc. wishing for the leaders' sharing of interests and concerns.
We need unselfish leaders, Also, those who care to reply to all letters written and addressed to them.
They should not and cannot call themselves leaders, but ignore the/any lawyers' letters/requests/queries, etc. addressed to them.
Specifically, worse, if he does not keep to his own words said, and therefore, promises made, and which means, he has side-lined others who are not among his CRONIES.