KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 – Bar Council president Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan made an
impassioned plea today to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi to abolish
the Internal Security Act before he leaves office next year.
"Prime Minister, while it may still be in your means to do so, and as a historic
legacy to this nation that both you and I love, I ask you, on behalf of all
right thinking Malaysians and on behalf of the legal fraternity of Malaysia, to
move to abolish the ISA," Ambiga said in her speech at the opening of the 21st
Lawasia Conference here.
She said the enforcement of the ISA had diverted from the original intention for
which it was enacted.
"One can see how far we have strayed from the original intent of the ISA when a
blogger, a politician, a journalist and a civil society organiser can,
independently of each other, be seen as threats to national security," said
Ambiga referring to recent ISA arrests.
In September, blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin, lawmaker Teresa Kok and Sin Chew
Daily journalist Tan Hoon Cheng,were arrested under the ISA. Tan was
released less than 24 hours later and Kok was released after one week. Raja
Petra is currently is serving a two-year detention order.
Abdullah, however, was non committal when responding to Ambiga's appeal, but
hinted that the law will not be abolished.
"I am happy to hear that she raised this issue without fear or favour. As the
Home Minister, I have discharged my responsibility without fear or favour," said
Abdullah in his keynote address.
Late last year, Abdullah as the Home Minister ordered the detention of five
Hindraf leaders after they led a street protest in Kuala Lumpur demanding the
government stop discriminating against the Indian community.
On his pledge to reform the judiciary, Abdullah said the plan to form the
Judicial Appointment Commission is on track.
"Work on the relevant legislation is progressing well and the government aims to
table the relevant legislation to establish the commission by the end of the
year," he added.
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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.
Seminar on Tax Issues in Financial Transactions (25 May 2012) Organised by the Kuala Lumpur Bar Professional Development Committee, this seminar, featuring S Saravana Kumar, will take place at 3:00 pm, at the Kuala Lumpur Bar Auditorium, on 25 May 2012 (Friday). 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.
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Circular No 102/2012: Mahkamah Sesyen/Majistret Kajang Moving to Kompleks Mahkamah Kajang
