The Malaysian Bar - Farewell Dinner for YABhg Tun Dato’ Seri Zaki b Tun Azmi (23 Sept 2011)

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Farewell Dinner for YABhg Tun Dato’ Seri Zaki b Tun Azmi (23 Sept 2011)

Tuesday, 08 November 2011 10:12am

Contributed by Anis Taufik, Editor/Writer, with photos by Md Faizal Mahat, Administrative Assistant, Bar Council

To commemorate YABhg Tun Dato’ Seri Zaki b Tun Azmi’s retirement from the Malaysian Judiciary, Bar Council organised a farewell dinner for the former Chief Justice of the Federal Court, which was held at 8:00 pm, at Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, on 23 Sept 2011 (Friday).

The guest of honour, YABhg Tun Dato’ Seri Zaki b Tun Azmi, had served his last day as Chief Justice on 12 Sept 2011. Other notable guests were YAA Tan Sri Arifin b Zakaria (present Chief Justice of the Federal Court), YAA Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Md Raus b Sharif (President of the Court of Appeal), and YAA Tan Sri Dato’ Zulkefli b Ahmad Makinudin (Chief Judge of Malaya). Representatives from Bar Council comprised Lim Chee Wee, Christopher Leong, Tony Woon Yeow Thong and Steven Thiru (President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer of the Malaysian Bar, respectively), along with 20 Bar Council members and Rajen Devaraj (Chief Executive Officer of Bar Council). Overall, the dinner was attended by almost 70 guests, including Members of the Bar who have acted for and advised Bar Council in various matters.

Guests only began trickling into the reception area of Shangri-La Hotel’s Johore Room after 7:30 pm. As the clock ticked away, the hall began to fill, and jovial sounds of chatter – friends and acquaintances exchanging news and sharing jokes with one another over drinks – were heard. At approximately 8:15 pm, a palpable hush fell over the hall when a sleek car pulled into the driveway of the hotel lobby; YABhg Tun Dato’ Seri Zaki b Tun Azmi, who was being fêted that evening, had arrived.

Lim Chee Wee was on hand to welcome the former Chief Justice. After exchanging warm greetings and pleasantries, the latter was seen talking to the Bar Council’s four Office Bearers and other guests before entering the Johore Room.

Once all the guests had been seated, the dinner kicked off with a delightful salad entrée to whet the appetite. The guests tucked in enthusiastically whilst talking with each other, clearly enjoying the twin ingredients of any successful function – wonderful company and delicious food. About three quarters of an hour later, after the plates of the first course had been cleared away, Lim Chee Wee took to the stage to deliver his speech.

In his address, Lim Chee Wee briefly listed YABhg Tun Dato’ Seri Zaki b Tun Azmi’s achievements as Chief Justice of the Federal Court, pointing out that he had improved the relationship between the Bar and Bench substantially. Lim Chee Wee cited that the retired Chief Justice had brought about extraordinary changes to enhance the efficiency of the Malaysian Judiciary, which were documented in a recent World Bank Report and would benefit the nation in the years to come.

The President of the Malaysian Bar also shared some fond memories he had of YABhg Tun Dato’ Seri Zaki b Tun Azmi. He reminisced that during the Malaysia/Singapore Bench and Bar Games 2011 (“2011 Games”), Members of the Bar had been touched by the simple fact that YABhg Tun Dato’ Seri Zaki b Tun Azmi had taken the time to attend the 2011 Games held in Singapore, thus boosting the players’ morale.

Lim Chee Wee concluded by congratulating the new Chief Justice, President of the Court of Appeal and Chief Judge of Malaya on their appointments, and said that the burden now falls on their shoulders to continue the improvements by focusing on the quality of the Judiciary. Finally, he said that the Bar will support the Judiciary in the latter’s efforts to improve the justice system.

YABhg Tun Dato’ Seri Zaki b Tun Azmi then rose to give his speech. As the din of conversation and clatter of cutlery fell away, he reflected upon his career and the experiences he had gained, and shared a few jokes that elicited laughter from the guests. He concluded his remarks on a high note by expressing gratitude to those who had supported the Malaysian Judiciary during his tenure as Chief Justice, and expressed his hope that the delivery system would continue within the courts, and enable lawyers to improve themselves not only economically, but image-wise as well.

The climax of the evening was the presentation of a framed collage of photographs of YABhg Tun Dato’ Seri Zaki b Tun Azmi taken at various events organised by, or involving, Bar Council, such as the Malaysian Law Conference 2010, launch of Yayasan Bantuan Guaman Kebangsaan, and 2011 Games. YABhg Tun Dato’ Seri Zaki b Tun Azmi received the parting souvenir amidst thunderous applause, and studied it with keen interest as Lim Chee Wee pointed out several significant photos that had been selected for the collage. The honoured guest then thanked Bar Council for the thoughtful memento, noting that it would serve as a reminder of cherished events from the past. Other gifts handed over were books on the law.

As coffee was served and the evening drew to a close, YABhg Tun Dato’ Seri Zaki b Tun Azmi moved from one table to another, mingling with the guests and exchanging goodbyes with each and every one of them.

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