Lawyers To Debate Two Resolutions On Judiciary At Bar Egm

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 The extraordinary general meeting will also debate a motion concerning the minimum remuneration payable to pupils.
The quorum for the EGM, to be held at Matrade Hall, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah at 10am on Saturday, is set at 500 members.KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Bar will convene an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) this Saturday to debate two key motions concerning judicial independence in the country
One, titled “Judicial Independence”, will be tabled by Bar Council chairman Ezri Abdul Wahab.
The second, “Motion to hold the prime minister accountable for having allowed for the undermining of public confidence in the judiciary,” will be jointly proposed by lawyers Malik Imtiaz Sarwar and Surendra Ananth, with support from four others.
A third motion, “Implementing a Fair Rate of Minimum Remuneration for Pupils” — put forward by lawyers Goh Cia Yee and Vince Tan — has garnered widespread support, seconded by 190 lawyers.
Bar secretary Murshidah Mustafa circulated the motions to more than 24,000 lawyers practicing in Peninsular Malaysia. The quorum for the EGM, to be held at Matrade Hall, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah at 10am, is set at 500 members.
This meeting follows significant developments in recent months.
On March 15, the Bar unanimously passed two amended resolutions reaffirming its stance against any interference in the judiciary by the executive, legislature, or other unauthorised individuals.
On July 1, Ezri called for the EGM, amid concerns over the lack of clarity surrounding the retirement of chief justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, who was set to reach the mandatory retirement age of 66.
On July 14, a large group of lawyers gathered outside the Palace of Justice for a march in defence of the judiciary’s integrity. Ezri then submitted a memorandum to Zamri Misman, the legal affairs department’s director-general, who received it on behalf of the Prime Minister’s Office.
The memorandum called for the appointment of judicial leaders with demonstrable integrity and a track record of quality judgments, and for judicial vacancies to be filled swiftly to prevent delays in case hearings.
Last Friday, the Chief Registrar’s office announced that Justice Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh, 62, will be appointed Malaysia’s new chief justice, succeeding Tengku Maimun.
The announcement also said that Justice Abu Bakar Jais, 63, will head the Court of Appeal, while Justice Azizah Nawawi, 63, is set to become Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak.
The statement added that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had, based on the prime minister’s advice and after consulting the Conference of Rulers, consented to the appointments, in accordance with Article 122B of the Federal Constitution.
All three judges will be sworn in and presented with their letters of appointment at Istana Negara on July 28. - FMT

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