An Evening with the Media: Bar Council and MyConstitution Campaign

Article contributed by Lim Ka Ea, Executive Officer, with photos by Aniza Damis, Member (Constitutional Law Committee)

Monday, 26 October 2009 – The Bar Council engaged representatives from the media including theSun, Sin Chew, Berita Harian, Utusan Melayu, The Star, Harian Metro, Malaysian Mirror, Merdeka Review and Astro Awani.

The purpose was to explain the statutory status and role of the Bar Council in our society, as well as the 2–year national campaign called the “MyConstitution Campaign” (or “Kempen Perlembagaanku”).

The Bar Council was represented by its Chairperson, Ragunath Kesavan, members of the Constitutional Law Committee (ConstiLC) and the Secretariat. Editors and journalists were present from the media.

The media having a chat with BC members and staff prior to the presentation by Ragunath Kesavan

The evening started off with a power point presentation by Kesavan on the work of the Bar Council followed by one presented by Edmund Bon, ConstiLC Chairperson, on the Campaign. We then had an open discussion. Difficult questions particularly on the positions the Bar took on various public interest issues were asked.


Ragunath presenting the legal status and role of the Bar Council to the media	Edmund Bon introducing the MyConstitution Campaign

During the discussion, Kesavan reiterated the importance of engaging with all media and not just those that are perceived to be “independent”. Although it is essentially a non–partisan, apolitical and neutral body, the Bar Council has often received criticism for acting with “political motivations”. This is a misconception because the Bar Council’s most important role governed by statute is to uphold justice without fear and favour, which includes speaking out against injustice committed by governmental institutions.

The Bar further acknowledges and accepts the Federal Constitution as the supreme law of the land. As such, it is crucial that members of the public understand and learn about our Constitution. It must be read as a whole, and not interpreted selectively. The MyConstitution Campaign is aimed at simplifying the Constitution for the layperson, and to allow greater accessibility for all Malaysians to its contents.

Shah A Dadameah from the Malaysian Mirror asked the Bar Council how it intends to distribute the Rakyat Guides to those from the age of 15 to 35

Bon also informed the media representatives that ConstiLC is currently in engagement with the Government on the Campaign, and the Government has shown a keen interest in supporting and endorsing the Campaign. With 99 members of the ConstiLC (including lawyers from Sabah and Sarawak) working on the Campaign, he hoped that the targeted 9 “Rakyat Guides (RG)” booklets and the 9 “Rakyat Service Advertisements (RSA)” will be rolled out to reach more than 6 million households across the Peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak within 2 years. Ultimately, if every family has a copy of the RG, or has watched the RSA, the Campaign would be considered a success.

The evening ended with an informal dinner at Precious, Central Market. We are heartened to note that after the event, the media informed us that they are very keen on the Campaign and would follow–up on publicising it in partnership with us.

Dinner at Precious, Central Market after the talk at the Bar Council

The colourful and cheery MyConstitution logo makes for an attractive backdrop

You can access the MyConstitution Campaign powerpoint presentation (pdf format) here.

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