The Malaysian Bar - Young Lawyers Convention 2011: Inspiring Stories

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Young Lawyers Convention 2011: Inspiring Stories – Giants of the Bar (2 July 2011)

Thursday, 07 July 2011 10:50am

Contributed by Yip Xiaoheng

“Whoever who fits the shoes of the giant, he should be dwarfed by humility.”

–YA Tuan Mah Weng Kwai

No other person would have been in a better position to speak on the topic “Inspiring Stories – Giants of the Bar”, than the guest of honour for this session, YA Tuan Mah Weng Kwai, a former President of the Malaysian Bar and currently a Kuala Lumpur High Court Judicial Commissioner. The aim of this session was to provide inspiration to young lawyers and empower them. As they say, leaders are groomed, not born.

YA Tuan Mah Weng Kwai giving his talk on “Inspiring Stories – Giants of the Bar”

YA Tuan Mah Weng Kwai had witnessed the heights of the Bar, as well as its lowest times. He was indeed the right person to speak on this theme. YA Tuan Mah Weng Kwai reaffirmed that despite the Bar evolving throughout time, it still remained relevant in society – as such the Bar was indeed a “giant” in its own right. To the delegates’ delight, YA Tuan Mah Weng Kwai continued by saying that it was young Members who gave the Bar its strength.

YA Tuan Mah Weng Kwai then took the delegates down memory lane as he spoke about the Bar of yesteryear. He started by informing delegates that it had been 64 years since the Bar was formed in 1947, which at that time, was not even under the Legal Profession Act 1976. It had survived throughout the years and had not been banned.

The learned Judicial Commissioner then queried whether the Bar was still good enough for today. His answer was in the affirmative. He pointed out that the Bar had increased tremendously over the years, highlighting that there had been only about 2,000 Members in 1972. Now, in 2011, the Bar had close to 14,000 Members. With bigger numbers, lawyers had a bigger say.

YA Tuan Mah Weng, former President of the Malaysian Bar and currently a Kuala Lumpur High Court Judicial Commissioner, with Richard Wee, Chairperson of the Bar Council National Young Lawyers Committee

However, the most important questions posed by YA Tuan Mah Weng Kwai were perhaps these: “Why do lawyers sacrifice to serve the Bar? Was it for recognition and standing in the society?” He answered in the negative and explained that Bar Council members were driven by several factors, chiefly, the love of the profession, the commitment to uphold human rights and the principle of natural justice – these were the reasons why they served the Bar.

“So, who are the inspiring people in the Bar?” was his next question. YA Tuan Mah Weng Kwai said that each and every young lawyer present in the hall could inspire the person next to him or her. It was only hard work in achieving success that could inspire people. It was the process of achieving success that would lead to inspiration.

YA Tuan Mah Weng Kwai went on to explain that the “giants” of the Malaysian Bar were people who had worked for the Bar and stood their ground with authority. The learned Judicial Commissioner went on to list a few “giants” of the Bar by giving short profiles, enlightening delegates on who was who and the heights of their stories. Amongst the “giants” he mentioned were Ahmad Ibrahim, Ronald Reynold, Yong Shook Lin, Chooi Mun Sou, Cyrus Das, Gopal Sri Ram, Ambiga Sreenevasan, Manjit Singh, Karpal Singh and Raja Aziz Addruse.

YA Tuan Mah Weng Kwai added that the “giants” of the Bar had fought in many pertinent issues that affected the public and the profession, before citing further examples such as anti-Internal Security Act cases and campaigns for a better Bar by Matthias Chang. Another example that stirred delegates was his recollection of the 1988 judicial crisis, where Members of the Bar had come forward and acted for the late Tun Salleh Abas during the hearing at the tribunal. YA Tuan Mah Weng Kwai then opined that in the 2001 Certificate of Legal Practice results fiasco, the issue had been resolved in no time because the Bar had firmly stood its ground. Finally, he enthused that the “Walk for Justice” held in 2007, an event organised by the Bar, had a great impact on ordinary people from all walks of life as well.

YA Tuan Mah Weng Kwai raised yet another pertinent question when he asked, “How then do we proceed from here to nurture young lawyers to be “giants” in their own right?” He gave the following simple, yet sharp replies, “Commitment in what you want to do, it’s a vocation – love for the law, burning desire in you to uphold justice, to do what you know is right – not just sit back, but be proactive” and “A lawyer’s career in the Bar is a journey, a long journey. Lawyers do not die, they just lose their appeal”.

On that note, YA Tuan Mah Weng Kwai urged young lawyers to take part and be active in Bar Council activities. He ended his inspiring speech with a piece of advice to young lawyers that could perhaps only be given by someone who had achieved the stature that YA Tuan Mah Weng Kwai had: “As leaders, one does not demand respect; one commands it – only then people will look up to you as a leader in society”.

He concluded the session with the following wish for the future, perhaps one that is relevant in these days, when the liberalisation of the Bar is imminent:

“Do not be giants only in the Malaysian Bar, spread your wings and be a giant internationally.”