Dato Mohamad Ezri b Abdul Wahab, President of the Malaysian Bar,
Family and friends of Dato’ Mah Weng Kwai,
My learned friends at the Bar,
Ladies and gentlemen.
1. A very good afternoon to everyone present here today. I am absolutely delighted to be here as we celebrate Dato' Mah Weng Kwai, the recipient of the Malaysian Bar Lifetime Achievement Award 2025.
2. The Malaysian Bar Lifetime Achievement Award, commonly known as the MBLAA is a truly special occasion. It is a moment to not only appreciate the hard work of truly exceptional individuals but to reflect on the enduring values of our profession.
3. To truly appreciate this moment, it's worth reflecting for a moment on the origins of the MBLAA.
Ladies and gentlemen,
4. The idea of the Malaysian Bar Lifetime Achievement Award was first mooted by the Bar Council in 2009. It was established to formally recognise and honour Members of the Bar who have dedicated their lives to making invaluable and lasting contributions to the legal profession.
5. It is often said that the greatest reward for dedicating our lives to this profession is the knowledge of having made a difference. While we honour that noble sentiment, we also recognise that the dedication shown by our members—often at great personal cost—must be collectively celebrated. It is for this reason that the Bar Council instituted this award.
6. As a long-standing member of the Selection Committee, it is a great privilege to be reminded, year after year, that the Malaysian Bar is never short of eminent individuals who have dedicated their lives to the betterment of our profession. I am confident that this legacy of service will continue for many years to come. On that note, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the MBLAA Selection Committee for their hard work and dedication in making today's ceremony possible.
7. Since Raja Aziz Addruse became our inaugural recipient, the MBLAA has grown into a constellation of legal excellence. We have honoured trailblazers such as Dato’ Dr Sir Peter Mooney, Dato’ Mahadev Shanker, Dr. Radhakrishna Ramani (posthumously) and Dato’ Seri Utama Karpal Singh (posthumously), and in recent years, visionaries such as Haji Sulaiman Abdullah (posthumously), Ambiga Sreenevasan and Hendon Mohamed. These recipients left an indelible mark on our profession and society as a whole.
Ladies and gentlemen,
8. We are always reminded that the Malaysian Bar is defined by its commitment to 'uphold the cause of justice, uninfluenced by fear or favour.' This powerful mandate affirms our pivotal and indispensable role in ensuring an inclusive and functioning democracy in this country.
9. The Bar's independence and courage in challenging wrongdoing are the bedrock in upholding human rights in Malaysia. Through the selfless commitment of members like Dato' Mah Weng Kwai, our profession finds the strength to champion these rights and holds institutions accountable.
10. In a political climate where the principles of justice and institutional integrity are constantly tested, the role of the Malaysian Bar has never been more vital. Our duty to champion the rule of law, to advocate for the independence of the judiciary, and to speak out against injustice is non-negotiable.
Ladies and gentlemen,
11. The MBLAA is not merely an accolade; this is our way to celebrate and encourage members that continuously uphold these values. It reminds us that our profession's true worth is measured not by our individual successes, but by our collective courage in defending these principles towards a progressive society.
12. Dato' Mah Weng Kwai's journey is a testament to this very principle. From his distinguished career in private practice and the Judiciary to his invaluable leadership of the Bar, his unwavering commitment to justice and the community has been the hallmark of his life's work. In his service, he has embodied the very resilience and unwavering commitment that our profession needs in these challenging times.
13. Therefore, it gives me great honour to commemorate his lifelong contributions and exemplary legacy with this Malaysian Bar Lifetime Achievement Award.
14. May this evening’s celebration will continue to inspire future generations of lawyers to uphold the principles of our profession with integrity, serve with humility, and to lead with wisdom.
15. Thank you.