These introductory remarks were made at the Opening Ceremony of the 15th Malaysian Law Conference (Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, 29 July 2010)
President of the Malaysian Bar, Ragunath Kesavan;
Judges of the High Court;
Chief Justice of the South African Constitutional Court, Sandile Ngcobo;
Chief Justice of the Dubai International Financial Centre and President of Singapore Law Society, Michael Hwang SC;
The Honourable Michael Kirby, former Justice of the High Court of Australia;
Deputy Speaker, Dewan Rakyat of Parliament, Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar;
President of the Sabah Law Association, Datuk John Sikayun;
President of the International Bar Association, Fernando Pelaez–Pier;
President of Law Asia, Lester Huang;
Chairman of Hong Kong Bar Association, Russell Coleman SC;
President of Nepal Bar Association, Prem Bahadur, Khadka;
President of Law Council of Australia, Glenn Ferguson;
President of Korean Bar Association Peter Kim Pyung Woo;
Associate President of the Bar Association of India, Anil Divan; and
President of Japan Federation of Bar Associations, Kenji Utsunomiya.
For the delegates who are wondering why there are a significant number of foreign Bar leaders here this morning, the Malaysian Bar hosted the 21st Presidents of Law Associations in Asia Conference in the last 2 days, where we had at least 75 foreign bar leaders from 20 different law associations, both national and international.
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President of the Malaysian Bar, Ragunath Kesavan;
Judges of the High Court;
Chief Justice of the South African Constitutional Court, Sandile Ngcobo;
Chief Justice of the Dubai International Financial Centre and President of Singapore Law Society, Michael Hwang SC;
The Honourable Michael Kirby, former Justice of the High Court of Australia;
Deputy Speaker, Dewan Rakyat of Parliament, Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar;
President of the Sabah Law Association, Datuk John Sikayun;
President of the International Bar Association, Fernando Pelaez–Pier;
President of Law Asia, Lester Huang;
Chairman of Hong Kong Bar Association, Russell Coleman SC;
President of Nepal Bar Association, Prem Bahadur, Khadka;
President of Law Council of Australia, Glenn Ferguson;
President of Korean Bar Association Peter Kim Pyung Woo;
Associate President of the Bar Association of India, Anil Divan; and
President of Japan Federation of Bar Associations, Kenji Utsunomiya.
For the delegates who are wondering why there are a significant number of foreign Bar leaders here this morning, the Malaysian Bar hosted the 21st Presidents of Law Associations in Asia Conference in the last 2 days, where we had at least 75 foreign bar leaders from 20 different law associations, both national and international.
When I agreed with some hesitation to chair the Organising Committee for the 15th Malaysian Law Conference, I did not anticipate the rollercoaster ride of challenges that I would go through in the last one year, especially the last one month. I am comforted by the thought that it would appear that things have fallen into place.
The Organising Committee chose the theme “Malaysia: Extending Frontiers, Widening Horizons” for this particular reason.
The Malaysian Bar has the depth and breadth of talent to compete on an international field but we have yet to make a significant impact beyond our borders. We can no longer be contented nor live in the comfort of our local market when our doors will inevitably be opened to foreign talent. We should not fear competition but embrace the challenge by expanding our domestic practice into one with an international perspective.
The objective of this Conference is to bring together a synergy of dynamic speakers both foreign and local with topical issues affecting our practices domestically and regionally.
We have 16 foreign speakers from Paris to Sydney. We also have a diverse group of delegates, Members of the Bar, pupils, academics, law students, in–house corporate counsel (local & overseas) and foreign delegates. We have 12 local judges who are either moderators or speakers. The Bar thanks the Judiciary for its support of and participation in the 15th Malaysian Law Conference.
This is truly an inclusive Conference.
Whilst we discuss a host of issues, from arbitration to the world financial crisis, in debating local judgments, the Bar recognises the robust and progressive judgments of High Court on such human rights issues as rights of detainees, freedom of speech and right to information. We Malaysians look forward to equally progressive judgments from our appellate courts.
Finally this Conference would not be possible without the contribution, in terms of money, time and energy, from our sponsors and Members.
In terms of financial contribution, I wish to thank:
For their time and energy, I thank the members of the Organising Committee. In particular Raphael Tay, someone the Bar will hear more of in the future. Raphael’s eye for detail and meticulous care ensured we avoided pitfalls normally found in conference preparations.
To our speakers and moderators, thank you for sharing your wisdom and time. To the Office Bearers and Bar Council, thank you for your support.
To the delegates, the Organising Committee hopes you will enjoy the sessions as much as we have enjoyed planning them. Following Malaysian tradition, I do apologise in advance if there are any shortcomings in this Conference. Do enjoy it, and more importantly, be provoked, encouraged and motivated.
Thank you.
Lim Chee Wee
Chairperson, Organising Committee, MLC 2010
29 July 2010
The Malaysian Bar has the depth and breadth of talent to compete on an international field but we have yet to make a significant impact beyond our borders. We can no longer be contented nor live in the comfort of our local market when our doors will inevitably be opened to foreign talent. We should not fear competition but embrace the challenge by expanding our domestic practice into one with an international perspective.
The objective of this Conference is to bring together a synergy of dynamic speakers both foreign and local with topical issues affecting our practices domestically and regionally.
We have 16 foreign speakers from Paris to Sydney. We also have a diverse group of delegates, Members of the Bar, pupils, academics, law students, in–house corporate counsel (local & overseas) and foreign delegates. We have 12 local judges who are either moderators or speakers. The Bar thanks the Judiciary for its support of and participation in the 15th Malaysian Law Conference.
This is truly an inclusive Conference.
Whilst we discuss a host of issues, from arbitration to the world financial crisis, in debating local judgments, the Bar recognises the robust and progressive judgments of High Court on such human rights issues as rights of detainees, freedom of speech and right to information. We Malaysians look forward to equally progressive judgments from our appellate courts.
Finally this Conference would not be possible without the contribution, in terms of money, time and energy, from our sponsors and Members.
In terms of financial contribution, I wish to thank:
1. Office of the Prime Minister for its generosity
2. Selangor State Government
3. Brickfields Asia College
4. Shearn Delamore & Co.
5. Taylor’s College
6. CIMB Group
7. Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism
8. Labuan International Business and Financial Centre, Malaysia
9. Zaid Ibrahim & Co.
10. Skrine
11. Albar & Partners
12. Kuala Lumpur Regional Centre for Arbitration.
2. Selangor State Government
3. Brickfields Asia College
4. Shearn Delamore & Co.
5. Taylor’s College
6. CIMB Group
7. Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism
8. Labuan International Business and Financial Centre, Malaysia
9. Zaid Ibrahim & Co.
10. Skrine
11. Albar & Partners
12. Kuala Lumpur Regional Centre for Arbitration.
For their time and energy, I thank the members of the Organising Committee. In particular Raphael Tay, someone the Bar will hear more of in the future. Raphael’s eye for detail and meticulous care ensured we avoided pitfalls normally found in conference preparations.
To our speakers and moderators, thank you for sharing your wisdom and time. To the Office Bearers and Bar Council, thank you for your support.
To the delegates, the Organising Committee hopes you will enjoy the sessions as much as we have enjoyed planning them. Following Malaysian tradition, I do apologise in advance if there are any shortcomings in this Conference. Do enjoy it, and more importantly, be provoked, encouraged and motivated.
Thank you.
Lim Chee Wee
Chairperson, Organising Committee, MLC 2010
29 July 2010