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"By inviting representatives from non-governmental organisations, Muslim activists, Abim as well as the Religious Affairs Department (Jakim), we can better understand the issues and exchange views," he told reporters at the 63rd Annual General Meeting of the Malaysian Bar today.

Ragunath Kesavan was elected as the new president of the Malaysian Bar Council for the 2009/2010 term.

The other new office-bearers of the Bar Council are Lim Chee Wee (vice-president taking over from Ragunath), George Varughese (secretary taking over from Lim) and Tony Woon Yeow Thong (treasurer taking ver Varughese).

The meeting was attended by 625 members who voted in the new office-bearers.

Asked on the possibility that the council might be facing legal action for holding an online poll on the use of "Allah" by non-Muslims in their publication, he said what had been done was made in the interest of the public.

"If actions are to be taken, we will face it when it comes," he said.

It was reported that the word "Allah" was only for Muslims and the policy had been gazetted by the Non Muslim Religious Enactment 1988.

The Bar Council president also echoed Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz's view that the legal body was not above the law.

"We cannot be treated any differently," Ragunath said.

As a country that subscribed to democracy, he said one could still voice disagreement, but it must be done without breaking the laws nor agitate anyone.

When asked that the Bar Council had been perceived by many to be anti-establishment and more pro-opposition, Ragunath laughed and pointed out that 90 per cent of what the Bar Council did were "complementary with what the government wants".

On the recent legal actions against bloggers who were alleged to have acted disrespectfully against the Sultan of Perak, Ragunath believed the prosecution would have a difficult task because it was a "very subjective issue" and the government had pledged there would be no censorship.

"Censorship will only create more underground movements," he added.

Earlier, Ragunath said all 620 members who attended the one-day general assembly had unanimously supported the call upon the Royal Malaysia Police, the Attorney-General and the Judiciary to investigate all custodial deaths by inquiries conducted to Chapter XXXII of the Criminal Procedure Code, and ensuring that all inquiries are conducted expeditiously, transparently and in a meaningful manner as well as setting up a Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate the issue.

The quorum also unanimously supported a call to set up a Royal Commission of Enquiry into the Bukit Antarabangsa tragedy on Dec 6, 2008 as well as a call for the removal of the immunity of local authorities and officers under Section 95 of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 and its repeal,

The Malaysian Bar also strongly called for the relevant authorities to sanction the immediate discontinuation of all on-going hillside development projects which do not meet the minimum requirements of safety and/or have not complied with the applicable laws, regulations and guidelines.

At the same time, the Malaysia Bar also called for the relevant authorities to conduct an immediate safety review of all existing hillside development and for an immediate review of all existing approvals at the cost of the Developer.