The Malaysian Bar refers to the appointment of Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Haji Mohamed Apandi bin Haji Ali as Attorney General of Malaysia with effect from 28 July 2015.
Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Haji Mohamed Apandi was admitted to the Malaysian Bar in August 1982 and ceased practice in April 2003. In addition, he served as a Bar Council member for eight terms, from 1995 until 2003, in his capacity as the Chairman of the Kelantan Bar Committee for six terms, and later as the Kelantan Bar Representative on the Bar Council for two terms. He was also the Treasurer of the Bar from March 2000 until August 2000, and he held this position again from March 2002 until March 2003.
The Malaysian Bar hopes and expects that Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Haji Mohamed Apandi — having been a Member of the Malaysian Bar and the Bar Council, and having subsequently served in the Judiciary from 2003 until 2015 — will do his utmost to uphold the Federal Constitution as the supreme law of the land, defend the rule of law and the cause of justice, and act without bias or favour in discharging his duties.
The Malaysian Bar wishes Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Haji Mohamed Apandi a successful and productive tenure as he embarks on his journey as the new Attorney General.
The Malaysian Bar records its appreciation to Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, the former Attorney General. We have enjoyed a constructive working relationship with Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail and the members of his Chambers on a variety of matters concerning the law and the legal profession.
In particular, the success of the Yayasan Bantuan Guaman Kebangsaan (“YBGK”) could not have been achieved without his sterling chairmanship and passionate support. Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail was a driving and pivotal force in the implementation and continuous improvement of YBGK.
The Bar worked over a sustained period with Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail and his Chambers in formulating the approach and structure for the liberalisation of the Malaysian legal profession. The President of the Bar and the Attorney General serve as Co–Chairpersons on the Selection Committee tasked with reviewing and making recommendations concerning the applications for admission of foreign law firms and lawyers.
The Bar has also been working together with Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail and his Chambers to finalise the structure and scheme for the Common Bar Course. Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail was very supportive of this initiative as a means of providing uniform and relevant vocational training for new entrants to the profession.
There have been many other areas of collaboration between the Bar and the Attorney General’s Chambers, including on issues of law reform, where the Bar has welcomed the increased consultation and the opportunity to provide its views.
We wish Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail all the best in his future endeavours.
Steven Thiru
President
Malaysian Bar
29 July 2015