Ex Bar Presidents Push For Another Walk For Justice

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A group of former Malaysian Bar presidents is pushing for another "Walk for Justice" amid allegations of judicial intimidation.
In an online petition for lawyers, it called on the Bar Council to organise a walk to send a clear message to those who "seek to interfere" in the judiciary.
"The Malaysian Bar is known for its courage in fulfilling its purpose under Section 42 of the Legal Profession Act 1976 to uphold the cause of justice without fear or favour.
"Recent events have shown a total disregard by certain quarters for the hallowed principle of the independence of the judiciary by actions that can only be described as intimidation of this vital institution.
"It is time for the bar to once again rise and fearlessly defend the institution of the judiciary. It is time to walk," the petition read.
The organisers of the petition are former Malaysian Bar presidents Mah Weng Kwai, Kuthubul Zaman Bukhari, Yeo Yang Poh, Ambiga Sreenevasan, Lim Chee Wee and Steven Thiru.
Judicial interference
In 2007, some 2,000 lawyers under the leadership of the Bar Council's then chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan, marched against allegations of judicial interference.
This was after an audio recording was leaked showing now-disbarred lawyer VK Lingam boasting about influencing the appointment of judges.
A royal commission of inquiry confirmed the authenticity of the recording and put a spotlight on past questionable judgments.
The scandal eventually led to the creation of the Judicial Appointments Commission.
In recent weeks, Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat said criticisms of the judiciary had gone overboard.
This was amid the MACC investigating Court of Appeal judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali after a politically-linked blog posted an allegation claiming he had unexplained wealth.
Mohd Nazlan Mohd GhazaliNazlan, when serving as a high court judge, had convicted ex-prime minister Najib Abdul Razak of corruption, money laundering and abuse of power.
Najib's former aide Isham Jalil, who is also the Selangor BN information chief, rebutted Tengku Maimun, stating that judges should also go through due process. - Mkini

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