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It is good to see that the Malaysian Bar still has the capacity and the ability to come out with quick statements and/or response - but then it seem to be evident on selected concerns only.

Good to apologize to the victims of the 1988 Judicial Crisis -- but is it also not GOOD to apologize to the victims of Operation Lallang in 1987 - and the other victims of the State -- detention without trial, shoot-to-kill victims, death in custody victims, etc..

Why does the Bar not call for the urgent release of the 4 lawyers.. for after all that call is being made by many other parties? Are we only concerned with the "IMPORTANT" matters forgetting the matters that affect the "small persons"?

By the way, has Zaid Ibrahim been made a Senator yet? Still no indication of the date of appointment in the Parlimen Malaysia website. Further, did Zaid Ibrahim cause to be "rendered distinguished public service or have achieved distinction in the professions, commerce, industry, agriculture, cultural activities or social service or are representative of racial minorities or are capable of representing the interests of aborigines" and as such he was appointed Senator - or is his appointment just because the PM wanted him in the new cabinet --- which may make his appointment as Senator questionable...

In solidarity,

Charles Hector

The Bar and the right thinking Malaysian public have lamented so many times and continuosuly the atrocities committed by the previous imperial administration against the Judiciary and against Tun Mohd Salleh Abbas and 2 of his brother Judges who ranked among the finest in the Commonwealth. Now when the door is open to put things right - justice will not be done with a mere apology, handshake and hugs and politically correct tears.

What the "emperor" did was nothing short of treason against his own state - and why should he be left off - as if he is above the law? He and all the others who plotted, schemed and executed their common sinister plan at the expense of decent, innocent and courageous Judges should now be made accountable for their acts of treason. Nothing less will do.

G Nanda Goban

I have on a previous occasion lauded the late King Hussein of Jordan before he died for strengthening the institutions of state. That was his legacy to Jordan.

Now, let me take you back to Malaysia. Our basic institutions must be strengthened and remain that way not just for each and every Malaysian who deserve nothing less, but also to reassure the foreign investors that we have a system that continues to create certainty of outcomes.

The Salleh Abas affair - what the Tun calls "May Day for Justice" in his book - concerns a basic and fundamental institution of state. The Judiciary is one of the three independent branches of government along with the Executive and the Legislative.

They must, ideally, operate as three points on a congruent triangle where each side is equal in length and the three angles are 60 degrees each. In the Malaysian context, the triangle was rendered incongruent or "senget" after the Executive interfered with the Judiciary. This image of the incongruent triangle has remained with us for far too long.

I fully support Ambiga and the entire Bar Council for the stand that they have taken on the apology to Tun Salleh and the ailing Datuk George Seah. Both are still surviving while their equally courageous brother-at-law, Tan Sri Pawanteh, have since passed away.

The apology is long overdue. There must be appropriate closure of the issue. We have to establish the truth of what happened, however painful and however ugly this may be. Only after collectively looking into the mirror will we then be able to move on as a nation that has exorcised the ghosts or "hantu" of the past. Anything short constitutes a betrayal to the nation and its ideals.

I hope my writing has not reflected my passion on this matter.

Stephen Tan Ban Cheng

My dear Charles Hector,

The Bar has been screaming blue murder since 1988 for what was done to our judiciary. For once, there has been acknowledgment after 20 years and the Bar rightly so, applauds such a move. Yet, it is not enough for you.

The last I remember, the Bar has always condemned the use of ISA. It has never flinched on this issue.

Some people just cannot be pleased.

Shaikh Abdul Saleem