Salutations
1. A very good evening to the members of the Judiciary:
I. Yang Amat Arif Tun Tengku Maimun binti Tuan Mat, Chief Justice of Malaysia;
II. Yang Amat Arif Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abang Iskandar bin Abang Hashim, President of the Court of Appeal;
III. Yang Arif Dato’ Sri Hasnah bt Dato’ Mohammed Hashim,
IV. Yang Arif Datuk Harmindar Singh Dhaliwal, and
V. Yang Arif Datuk Vazeer Alam bin Mydin Meera;
VI. Yang Arif Dato’ Lee Swee Seng, Court of Appeal Judge;
VII.Yang Berusaha Tuan Zamri bin Bakar, Chief Registrar of the Federal Court of Malaysia;
VIII. Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Zainun Ali, retired Federal Court Judge;
IX. Past Presidents of the Malaysian Bar;
X. Dato’ Sri M Ramachelvam, Chairperson of the MBLAA Selection Committee,
XI. Members of the Bar Council, the Malaysian Bar, and
XII. Most importantly family and friends of Puan Hendon Mohamed and the late Dato’ Haji Sulaiman Abdullah.
2. Welcome to the Malaysian Bar Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony for the years 2023 and 2024.
Reflections on the Office of the President
3. Ladies and Gentlemen, when I was given the privilege to provide the Welcoming Address for today’s ceremony, I inevitably began reflecting on the Office of the President of the Malaysian Bar.
4. Needless to say, being the President of the Malaysian Bar is a formidable task, akin to navigating a ship through turbulent seas. The responsibilities are manifold and often overwhelming, with the duty of upholding justice and advocating for the legal profession resting heavily on one’s shoulders.
5. Yet, what sustains me through these challenges is the legacy of past Presidents, whose wisdom and guidance are like beacons of light illuminating my path. Their experiences and lessons are etched in the annals of our institution, serving as a compass that directs my decision and action. Each story shared, each piece of advice given, resonates deeply within me. They have taught me that the journey, though arduous, ought not to be solitary.
6. I highlight this because in today’s ceremony, we have Ms. Karen Cheah and Dato’ Ambiga Sreenevasan providing the citation for Puan Hendon Mohamed and the late Dato’ Haji Sulaiman Abdullah respectively — all of whom are past Presidents of the Malaysian Bar.
Puan Hendon Mohamed
7. Distinguished guests, as we have the privilege of hearing the citations from Karen Cheah and Dato’ Ambiga, I will not delve into the long and illustrious achievements of Puan Hendon Mohamed and the late Dato’ Haji Sulaiman Abdullah.
8. I will, however, take the liberty to share with you my cherished experiences involving these two towering figures.
9. We are all well aware of Puan Hendon’s dedication to the Malaysian Bar. During her active years of service, if you could not find her at the Malaysian Bar Secretariat, you were probably in the wrong building.
10. During one of the Malaysian Bar events held in Penang, I offered Puan Hendon a lift from the Penang International Airport to the venue of the event. This was the least I could do, given that I am from Penang and though Puan Hendon was from Johor, she resided and was travelling from Kuala Lumpur.
11. Given that our journey from the airport to the event venue was a few minutes long, I was sure that we would enter into a heated debate on Penang Laksa versus Laksa Johor. While I had my points ready, thankfully, our conversation turned out to be far more meaningful than I had anticipated.
12. Puan Hendon first spoke to me about how fond she was of Penang and how the cities were filled with greenery, in contrast to the bustling scene in Kuala Lumpur. I learnt that despite all her remarkable achievements and her unwavering dedication to the Malaysian Bar, the independence of the Judiciary, and the pressing issues that keep constitutional lawyers and judges up at night, she still cherished the simpler things in life. She appreciated the presence of nature amidst the chaos of the city, showing a profound ability to find beauty and tranquility in the world around her.
13. When I enquired about what drives her to continue serving the Malaysian Bar, she shared that due to her years of experience in handling various issues concerning the Bar, it is pertinent to ensure that she takes all necessary efforts to pass her knowledge and experience to the younger members of the Bar. She serves as a bridge for Members of the Bar, allowing them to tap into the lessons learned from the Bar’s past endeavours and methods in addressing issues concerning the legal profession.
14. That conversation with Puan Hendon was profoundly enlightening and deeply meaningful to me. It underscored the importance of mentorship and the invaluable role that seasoned professionals play in shaping the future of our legal community. Her dedication and willingness to impart wisdom reminded me of the collective responsibility we bear in nurturing the next generation. It reinforced my own commitment to not only strive for excellence in my practice but also to be a custodian of the rich legacy and principles that define our profession.
15. Engaging with Puan Hendon was a humbling experience, and it left a lasting mark on my outlook, inspiring me to take all necessary efforts to contribute actively and meaningfully to the Malaysian Bar.
Dato’ Haji Sulaiman Abdullah
16. As for Dato’ Haji Sulaiman Abdullah, he exemplified a man unafraid to march to the beat of a different drum. Countless times, during Bar Council meetings and in the affairs of the Malaysian Bar, Dato’ Haji Sulaiman Abdullah stood unwaveringly by his principles, fearlessly dissenting on issues — even when the chorus of voices at the table took the opposite stance.
17. Such unwavering conviction and fearless dissent are not merely traits of defiance but are the hallmarks of a true leader. They signify a rare courage to challenge the status quo and a deep commitment to uphold principles above popularity. Dato’ Haji Sulaiman Abdullah’s steadfastness in the face of opposition serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of integrity and courage in leadership.
18. He has taught me that true leadership is not about seeking conformity but about having the courage to stand firm in one’s convictions, even when it means standing alone. Through his legacy, I have learned the invaluable lesson that leadership is not measured by the size of one’s following, but by the strength of one’s character and the depth of one’s principles. Dato’ Haji Sulaiman Abdullah’s commitment to truth and justice are values that I will continue to admire and aspire to achieve.
Concluding Remarks
19. While I am sure Karen Cheah and Dato’ Ambiga will have more interesting facts and experiences to share, I conclude by saying that the Malaysian Bar Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony for the years 2023 and 2024 is a testament to the enduring legacy of exceptional individuals within the legal fraternity.
Thank you.
Mohamad Ezri b Abdul Wahab
President
Malaysian Bar
31 May 2024
Please click on the following links to view the:
(1) Web Report of the award ceremony held on 31 May 2024;
(2) Acceptance Speech by Huzir Sulaiman;
(3) Video on Sulaiman Abdullah;
(4) Video on Hendon Mohamed; and
(5) Malaysian Bar Lifetime Achievement Award 2023/24 Commemorative Booklet.