Speak Up When Necessary Not Selectively Naran Chides M Sian Bar

---

 


Lawyer Naran Singh criticised the Malaysian Bar after one of its officials had rebuked him, claiming the body has failed to show consistency in handling suspicious death cases, including the case of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Reserve Officers Training Unit (Rotu) cadet Syamsul Haris Shamsudin.
Naran questioned the remarks of the Bar’s Criminal Law Committee co-chairperson, S Vivekananda, who had earlier reprimanded him for his statements.
“He has to be clear. Was it his personal view or the official statement from the Bar Council?
“I never claimed the Bar Council to be a political party. Their duty is to speak up when there is injustice, and when investigations are not done properly,” he told Malaysiakini.
Inappropriate to politicise issue
Previously, Naran, who is representing Syamsul’s family, questioned the silence of DAP and the Bar regarding the student’s death.
He compared the treatment of Syamsul’s case to how the organisation responded to the death of political aide, Teoh Beng Hock, in 2009.
Syamsul Haris ShamsudinVivekananda, however, responded by saying that it was inappropriate for Naran to politicise the issue and portray the Bar as a political party.
“It goes even worse to make a comparison between this particular case and the case of Teoh Beng Hock.
“I think it jumps the gun a little bit,” Vivekananda added.
Naran, however, denied claims that he was politicising the matter, insisting that comparing Syamsul’s case to Teoh was justified to highlight inconsistencies in the council’s actions.
He also pointed out that the Bar had previously shown deep interest in high-profile cases, including the investigation into Teoh’s death and cases involving political figures such as PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.
“But why the silence in this case? In the past, you were willing to get involved; now you won’t,” he added.
Naran also stated that Vivekananda’s comments showed the latter “did not read his remarks properly” and lacked understanding of the context of his criticism.
“He talks like a child. I’m speaking as the family’s lawyer, not a politician. This is a serious matter,” said Naran, who is also a Gerakan vice-president.
Syamsul’s death, which occurred during a training in Skudai, continues to draw calls from the family and observers, who are demanding a more transparent and comprehensive investigation. - Mkini

---