Comments for 32 members seek election to the Bar Council for the 2010/2011 term at http://www.malaysianbar.org.my , comment 0 to 5 out of 5 comments http://www.malaysianbar.org.my Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:00:45 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/bar_council_elections/32_members_seek_election_to_the_bar_council_for_the_2010/2011_term.html#pc_9651 Thank you for your replies, Andrew. My suggestions aside, Best Wishes to you. - Tan Peek Guat Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:50:27 +0100 http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/bar_council_elections/32_members_seek_election_to_the_bar_council_for_the_2010/2011_term.html#pc_9645 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. I have absolutely no problems with giving people a chance to chair sub-committees. In the Human Rights Committee (HRC) we have 12 sub-committees, which we call Working Groups. Each working group has 2 co-chairs (with a few exceptions). This provides HRC members with an opportunity to lead through ideas and activities. It is my belief that all HRC members can benefit from the sharing of leadership in this way. But I disagree that being the chair of a sub-committee is the only way of serving. One can serve by being an active and contributing member. There is no need to indulge people; that would be somewhat condescending. Also, there are many people who have special expertise in a particular area of law who are invited to give talks and lectures by the Bar Council or State Bar Committees. This is yet another tried and tested way of sharing leadership. Andrew Khoo Chin Hock - Andrew Khoo Chin Hock Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:11:57 +0100 http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/bar_council_elections/32_members_seek_election_to_the_bar_council_for_the_2010/2011_term.html#pc_9642 Dear Andrew, Thank you for your reply but your statement is inaccurate if you mean to say that "all committees are open to all those wanting and willing to serve”. I tried to be a member of one of the committees but was denied the chance/opportunity to be an ordinary member. To be more specific so that other committees are not unjustly accused, you might want to confirm the details with Ms Mariana Tan from the Secretariat. In fact, first, I was accepted by the Committee. With that, I was happy to be able to be a 'peacemaker'. However, another letter arrived saying that I was rejected. As for the details, Ms Mariana knows about my appeals and of my reasons stated therein – but I was still rejected - even though promised that I could be only during the following year. That had happened - and this mention is only to say that your statement is inaccurate. Also, it is certainly not for 'sheer fun' that lawyers/members sit on committees. In like manner, it is also not out of sheer fun that some other ordinary lawyers request to be ordinary members of any committee – if at all. Therefore, your statement that 'committees are open to all those wanting and willing to serve' is inaccurate. A SPREAD OF LEADERSHIP among lawyers would be more CARING AND SHARING OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES involved. On account of this, I humbly opine that those elected ought to relieve themselves from the CHAIRMANSHIP of all other sub committees - so as to involve more ordinary members (who are EXPERTS in their specialized legal fields) and especially those lawyers who are willing to share their invaluable expertise and guide the rest among us who would be grateful of such, their assistance. It is certainly obvious that we have many other members among us who are equally able, willing and capable, and even renowned lawyers, and we must not forget to invite them - in order to allow them to share/utilize their invaluable expertise. We therefore need to provide them with the opportunity to share their invaluable experience as Chairmen of sub- committees. We must not forget that there are renowned veterans among us who are frequently only mentioned in the newspapers in HIGH PROFILE CASES. They might also be sufficiently unselfish lawyers who would mind sharing their experience and expertise with other lawyers. We need to INVITE THEM TO BE CHAIRMEN of such other committees. We need to indulge them and we must not forego this opportunity. In like manner, of course Chairmen who have proven themselves to be selfish ought to be replaced ! For this, the Bar Council Elected members would be able to STAND FAIR and Just in their Judgments! –i.e. provided they themselves are not CHAIRMEN OF ANY SUB COMMITTEE. How about my suggestion ? Have a nice day. Thank you. Regards. - Tan Peek Guat Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:31:21 +0100 http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/bar_council_elections/32_members_seek_election_to_the_bar_council_for_the_2010/2011_term.html#pc_9641 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. I don't believe Bar Council members sit on committees for the sheer fun of it. Many are hardworking and contribute positively to the work of the committees. They are not there to serve private or sectarian interests, but the wider interests of the Bar. Sometimes the phrase "without fear or favour" also means having to look beyond the immediate interests of members of the Bar and to discern the greater good. In any event there are generally no restrictions on people serving in committees if there is every possibility that they will contribute positively to the work of the particular committee. What we certainly do not want are people who sign up for committees and either never attend meetings or do any committee work. Andrew Khoo Chin Hock - Andrew Khoo Chin Hock Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:05:55 +0100 http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/bar_council_elections/32_members_seek_election_to_the_bar_council_for_the_2010/2011_term.html#pc_9640 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. - Tan Peek Guat Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:33:54 +0100