KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Seri Nazri
Aziz, appears to have lost faith in the Bar Council over its stance on the
"People's Freedom Walk" on Sunday.
He said Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan had erred in
criticising the arrests of the five lawyers who had participated in the walk.
Nazri suggested that the council should register as a political party and
contest in the general election if it felt so strongly about the rights of the
people.
"They are cowards just like Hindraf," he said when commenting on Ambiga's
criticism of alleged police high-handedness in the matter.
She had claimed that the arrests were unnecessary and unfortunate, accusing the
police of "bullying tactics to stifle the people's democratic rights".
The group had staged a walk despite the Bar Council calling
off its annual "Festival of Rights" walk to commemorate International Human
Rights Day yesterday after failing to obtain a police permit.
Bar Council Human Rights Committee chairman Edmund Bon was arrested in a
separate incident later when he protested the actions of City Hall officers in
removing banners and posters outside the Bar Council building.
Ambiga said the Bar Council would represent the lawyers who had been arrested.
Nazri said Ambiga should have known better than to issue such criticisms of
police action as the responsibility of interpreting the law belonged to the
courts.
"She should not interpret the law. I would like to ask her to read the Police
Act which leaves the responsibility for making decisions on whether to allow an
assembly within the ambit of the police, not the Bar Council."
He added that the police had every right to determine whether a permit should be
issued.
"Whether that is right or wrong, it's not for Ambiga to decide. If she's not
happy, she should take the matter to court and let the court decide, because the
court is the interpreter of the law, not the Bar Council."
He also accused the Bar Council of "showing off" that it was championing the
cause of the people.
"They are calling for us not to stifle majority views. But since when have
minority interests prevailed over the majority in a democratic system?" he
asked.
Nazri also questioned the Bar Council's right to "interfere in bigger issues
concerning the country" when even the election of its office-bearers was in
question.
"I am very doubtful about appointments in the Bar Council. Their elections were
disputed. They have yet to settle problems among themselves."
He, however, agreed with Ambiga that "Sunday was the saddest day.
"I agree with her. We are all very sad that we now see lawyers on the streets
defying the law. So in that sense, it is a sad day for us too."
On Hindraf, Nazri said support for the group would taper off with the snubbing
by the Indian government.
"It is very clear that Hindraf received no support because it's a matter for
Malaysia to decide on. India itself works with the United Nations on terrorism,
especially that based on religion."
Muslim Lawyers Association president Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang said the Bar
Council should be impartial and not get emotional over the "People's Freedom
Walk".
Commenting on Ambiga's criticism of the arrest of five lawyers, he said: "Don't
forget that the police did not disallow the walk and no permit was applied for."
He said as the president, Ambiga must be wise and represent the interest of all
parties and not be biased.
Abu Zahar, who is also acting president of the Association of Former Elected
Representatives, said Hindraf's actions were tantamount to treason.
"The lawyers behind the group should be shameful for their actions and I call
upon the Bar Council to take strict disciplinary action against them."
Which is which? written by Lim Yeeu Ren,
Tuesday, December 11 2007 09:57 am
Haha. Now Nazri says "Ambiga should have known better than to issue such criticisms of police action as the responsibility of interpreting the law belonged to the courts.". Yesterday he said something else. One day he says the police interprets the law, next day he says the court does it. Which is which? Better make up his mind otherwise one will look very stupid saying different things on different days. Ini macam main tikam la. Hari ini kalau tak kena, esok aku tikam yang lain pulak, tengok dapat tak. Haha. Real joke.
Nazri further said "She should not interpret the law. I would like to ask her to read the Police Act which leaves the responsibility for making decisions on whether to allow an assembly within the ambit of the police, not the Bar Council." I wonder who really needs to sit down to read everything to ensure one doesnt say one thing today & another tomorrow. Tolong la. Firstly, get all of what you want to say sorted out first then only speak, otherwise you seem to be shooting yourself in the foot.
The General Election results have never been disputed? It has been perfect all these while? Sampai pergi mahkamah pun ada YB so dont go trying to cloud the minds of members of the public. This is how he starts throwing it back at us when shit has happened, the whole world is watching, he starts painting a bad picture of the Bar to defend and retaliate. F*&^%$g bare defence la YB!
On another note YB, for discussion purposes, if the Bar Council ever does start a political party, you guys wont be winning seats that easily la. Be assured..)
Carpe diem,
Lim Yeeu Ren
100% support written by Tan Pean Khoon,
Tuesday, December 11 2007 06:42 pm
Bar members are fully supported the President's action. It is the Minister concerned that should read our Constitution.
Freedom pf speech and Freedom of Assembly are enshrined in our Constitution. What is Police Act? Can it override our Constitution?
But anyway, the Minister either don't know how to interpret the Constitution or tried to be ignorance.
Every time when one group trying to defend the rights of the people, the Minister will call them to form political party.
The Bar has been empower under the LPA to safeguard the interest of the people in respect of legal matters which include human rights. Ask the Minister to amend the Act first before he ask us to shut up.
Defending the innocent and discriminated citizen is our duties. Unless the Government of the day intends to take it away from us. Then there won't be any lawyer.
Please tell the Minister that the world is looking at how the Government is going to handle the situation.
Tan Pean Khoon
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Haha. Now Nazri says "Ambiga should have known better than to issue such criticisms of police action as the responsibility of interpreting the law belonged to the courts.". Yesterday he said something else. One day he says the police interprets the law, next day he says the court does it. Which is which? Better make up his mind otherwise one will look very stupid saying different things on different days. Ini macam main tikam la. Hari ini kalau tak kena, esok aku tikam yang lain pulak, tengok dapat tak. Haha. Real joke.
Nazri further said "She should not interpret the law. I would like to ask her to read the Police Act which leaves the responsibility for making decisions on whether to allow an assembly within the ambit of the police, not the Bar Council." I wonder who really needs to sit down to read everything to ensure one doesnt say one thing today & another tomorrow. Tolong la. Firstly, get all of what you want to say sorted out first then only speak, otherwise you seem to be shooting yourself in the foot.
The General Election results have never been disputed? It has been perfect all these while? Sampai pergi mahkamah pun ada YB so dont go trying to cloud the minds of members of the public. This is how he starts throwing it back at us when shit has happened, the whole world is watching, he starts painting a bad picture of the Bar to defend and retaliate. F*&^%$g bare defence la YB!
On another note YB, for discussion purposes, if the Bar Council ever does start a political party, you guys wont be winning seats that easily la. Be assured..)
Carpe diem,
Lim Yeeu Ren