Latest News |
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Press Release: Legislation Inconsistent with Article 12(4) of Federal Constitution is Unconstitutional |
Updated on 02-Jul-13 |
The Malaysian Bar is concerned that section 107(b) of the Administration of Islamic Law (Federal Territories) Bill 2013 (D.R.1/2013) (¡°the 2013 Bill¡±), which has been tabled in Parliament, purports to provide that the consent of one parent alone is sufficient for the conversion of minor children to Islam.
We reiterate that the unilateral conversion of minor children to any religion by a parent, without the consent of the non-converting parent, is contrary to our constitutional scheme.
The 2013 Bill should reflect the meaning of ¡°parent¡± contained in Article 12(4) of the Federal Constitution, read with Article 160 and the Eleventh Schedule of the Federal Constitution, which expressly provide that all words appearing in the Federal Constitution which are stated in one gender also include the other gender, and all words in the singular also include the plural.
Article 12(4) of the Federal Constitution provides: ¡°For the purposes of Clause (3), the religion of a person under the age of eighteen years shall be decided by his parent or guardian.¡± (emphasis added). The same gender reference to ¡°his¡± appears in Article 12(3).
If the words were to be taken literally as they appear, then Articles 12(3) and (4) would be read to only apply to conversions of males under the age of 18 years, and would not apply to females. This meaning or discrimination is clearly not the intention of such a provision in the Federal Constitution. A sensible application of the specific provisions in Article 160 and the Eleventh Schedule of the Federal Constitution would read the word ¡°his¡± as also meaning ¡°her¡±. This would likewise apply to the word ¡°parent¡±. Read More
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The Star http://www.thestar.com.my
(Used by permission) by Christina Koh
Updated on 18-Jun-08
IPOH: The Government should remove the "absolute power" of the Attorney-General (A-G) to decide on who should be prosecuted. Transparency International (Malaysia) founder Tunku Abdul Aziz Ibrahim said the decision to pursue cases in court should be left in the hands of a director of public prosecution and his advisory board of legal officers.
"This is so that a case can be thoroughly discussed among the members instead of it being left to one person to say 'insufficient evidence' which has been the situation today.
Read more...
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The Borneo Post http://www.theborneopost.com
(Used by permission) by Danny Wong
Updated on 18-Jun-08
SIBU: A High Court judge here yesterday made some startling revelations at the commencement of the proceedings of the election petition filed by the DAP candidate for the Sarikei parliamentary seat, Wong Hus She, to declare the result of the March 8 general election for the seat void. The Barisan Nasional candidate, Ding Kuong Hing, won the seat with a slim majority of 51 votes. Read more... |
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Regent of Perak Raja Nazrin Shah's address at the Conference of Malaysian |
http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/ |
Updated on 14-April-08 |
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Opinion |
Used By Permission of The Star - Monday February 11, 2008 |
Looking to the young to lead |
CERITALAH
By KARIM RASLAN |
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We are the participants and in many cases, the primary actors. With this enormous power in hand, we must learn to lead with humility, honour and mutual respect. read more... |
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Parlimen bubar 2 minggu lagi? -- Spekulasi pilihan raya seawal 8 Mac atau paling lewat 15 Mac |
Friday, 08 February 2008 08:15am |
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Utusan Malaysia (Digunakan dengan kebenaran)
KUALA LUMPUR 7 Feb. Teka-teki mengenai tarikh pilihan raya umum ke-12 terus hangat diperkatakan dengan spekulasi terbaru membayangkan ia akan diadakan seawal 8 Mac atau selewat-lewatnya 15 Mac ini.
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Bagi membolehkan pilihan raya diadakan pada tarikh itu, ramai membuat andaian bahawa pembubaran Parlimen akan berlaku sekitar dua minggu lagi. read more... |
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Issues & views 2007: Wheels of justice grind too slow |
Saturday, 29 December 2007, 08:54am |
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New Straits Times (Used by permission)
by Lee Siew Lian
The Commission of Inquiry into the £¦Lingam£ª video clip could be the best opportunity Malaysia has to restore public confidence in its judiciary and how justice is dispensed, writes Lee Siew Lian .
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SINCE September, the catch-phrase on Malaysians' lips has been "Correct, correct, correct", complete with Indian inflection.
Taken from the infamous "Lingam" video clip, the phrase has been turned into a mobile phone ringtone and the eight-minute clip has beeen heavily viewed on YouTube, the video-sharing website, and elsewhere. read more... |
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Flashback '07: The year of debates |
Friday, 28 December 2007, 07:36am |
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Demonstrations make rousing re-entry
The Sun (Used by permission)
by Zainon Ahmad
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We have reached the closing days of 2007, the year Malaysia ? often touted as an exemplary country in diversity ? celebrated its 50 years as a nation. But it is also the year when the very beliefs and values that bind it as a multiracial and multicultural nation were severely challenged but which many hope is part of a learning process. read more... |
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KL court ruling 'creates confusion over jurisdiction' |
Saturday, 29 December 2007, 08:30am |
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The Straits Times, Singapore (Used by permission)
by Chow Kum Hor, Malaysia Correspondent
Recent verdict raises fears over eroding rights of minorities in Malaysia |
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KUALA LUMPUR - A CONFUSING apex court verdict that Malaysia's Muslim converts can seek divorce in the civil as well as syariah courts has resurrected non-Muslims' fears about their waning rights.
Many worry that the overlapping jurisdictions of the two courts may put non-Muslims at a disadvantage. read more... |
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Bar Council: Decision a positive move |
Friday, 28 December 2007, 08:10am |
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New Straits Times (Used by permission)
- The Subashini case: High Court can hear marriage dispute but...
- Husband£ªs conversion £¦disputable£ª
- Facts of case |
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KUALA LUMPUR: Bar Council chairman Ambiga Sreenivasan said the Federal Court's decision was a positive move, as it recognised that the Syariah High Court had no jurisdiction over non-Muslims. (Please click here to download judgments of Dato' Abdul Aziz bin Mohamad & Dato' Azmel bin Haji Maamor)
"I need to read the grounds of the judgment in full before I can comment any further. read more... |
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Apex Court dismisses Subashini's appeal |
Contributed by Web Reporter of Malaysian Bar |
Thursday, 27 December 2007, 11:05am |
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Thursday date for Subashini decision |
Wednesday, 26 December 2007, 11:11am |
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Interview with Raja Muda of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah: Malaysian democracy, a work in progress |
Sunday, 23 December 2007, 09:17am |
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New Snday Times (Used by permission)
by Syed Nadzri and Kennifer Gomez
With an impressive intellectual background, Raja Muda of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah always draws attention when he speaks on issues, particularly those affecting ordinary Malaysians. Here, in a frank interview with Syed Nadzri and Kennifer Gomez, the Oxford and Harvard-trained prince gives his take on
contemporary concerns. read more...
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Royals weigh in on people's concerns |
Thursday, 20 December 2007, 08:59am |
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New Straits Times (Used by permission)
PARTI Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia produced 24,000 copies of a 40-page booklet highlighting key points of the Federal Constitution, Rukun Negara, Vision 2020 and the National Mission this year.
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It was handed out to members at the party's national delegates conference in October. The booklet is still being distributed to the public at party functions.
"There is a renewed interest in the Constitution and the Social Contract," says Bar Council chairman Ambiga Sreenevasan, who has been invited to speak about the Constitution and its "fundamental liberties" to several groups this year. read more... |
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Brain drain is colour blind |
Thursday, 20 December 2007, 09:02am |
The Star (Used by permission)
A Writer's Life by Dina Zaman
Many have done very well on their own soil, but from where I sit and work, and being a friend and ears to a number of people, there must be a better way to make a living. read more... |
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Malaysia's Identity Crisis |
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CJ's appointment speech |
Wednesday, 12 December 2007, 12:06pm |
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Edmund Bon and 4 other lawyers released on bail |
Monday, 10 December 2007, 09:49pm |
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Edmund Bon showing the injuries he sustained after being manhandled by the police when arrested |
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KUALA LUMPUR, Mon: The Chairman of Human Rights Committee of the Bar Council, Edmund Bon was released on RM1,000 bail after being charged at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today for obstructing a Kuala Lumpur City Hall officer from bringing down a banner at the Bar Council premises. He claimed trial. read more... |
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"This is outrageous!", Bar screams over arrest of Edmund Bon |
Sunday, 09 December 2007, 01:25pm |
Edmund Bon arrested |
KUALA LUMPUR, Sun: The Chairman of the Bar Council's Human Rights Committee, Edmund Bon was arrested after stopping some officers from the Kuala Lumpur City Council (DBKL) from removing banners and placards hung on the premises of the Bar Council Secretariat about 12.15 this afternoon. read more... |
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Zaid: Fresh thinking needed |
Wednesday, 05 December 2007, 10:10pm |
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The Sun (Used by permission)
by Giam Say Khoon
KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 5, 2007): The government should manage demonstrations properly and not use force, as this will not help to solve the real problems at hand, said Datuk Zaid Ibrahim.
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Zaid, the Barisan Nasional member of Parliament for Kota Baru, said he expected ethnic and religious issues to be among the serious issues to be discussed in the next general election. read more... |
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Man behind Indians' protest stirs up mixed feelings |
Tuesday, 04 December 2007, 06:45am |
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The Straits Times, Singapore (Used by permission)
by Carolyn Hong, Malaysia Bureau Chief
- What Hindraf wants
- Indians 'better off than bumis' |
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Many regard lawyer as a maverick, but they also sympathise with his causes
KUALA LUMPUR - LAWYER P. Uthayakumar, who recently roused thousands of Indians to take to the streets in a protest against their plight, is a man who stirs up a lot of mixed feelings.
He speaks like a machine gun going off, is confrontational and has the lawyerly knack of hammering home his points through repetition. read more...
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Hello On Two: "Is There a Need for Judiciary Reform?" |
Putting confidence back in judiciary |
Sunday, 25 November 2007, 09:40am |
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New Sunday Times (Used by permission)
by Aniza Damis
As the nation awaits the appointment of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Lingam video clip, ANIZA DAMIS speaks to constitutional law expert Professor Dr Abdul Aziz Bari about royal commissions and why it£ªs so important to have one now. read more...
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Royal Commission to be set up to probe controversial video clip |
Friday, 16 November 2007, 07:05pm |
Bernama (Used by permission) |
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 16 (Bernama) -- A royal commission will be set up to investigate a video clip featuring a purported telephone conversation between a prominent lawyer and a senior judge over the appointment of judges. read more... |
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Tuanku Mizan regrets claims he supports illegal rally |
Friday, 16 November 2007, 01:55pm |
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Bernama (Used by permission)
KUALA LUMPUR, FRI: THE Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin has expressed regret over claims that he and the Palace approved and suppported Saturday£ªs illegal rally in the city.
In a statement issued here today by the Datuk Pengelola Bijaya Diraja of Istana Negara, Datuk Wan Mohd Safiain Wan Hasan, the King also regretted the gathering, which was organised by the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) and supported by the opposition parties.
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Tuanku Mizan stressed that he and Istana Negara had at no time approved or given any support, directly or indirectly, to any quarters that organised or was involved in the illegal assembly or any other activities that contravened the law. read more... |
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Perak ruler's role in CJ appointment |
Monday, 05 November 2007, 08:43am |
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The Sun (Used by permission)
by Terence Fernandez
PETALING JAYA: Perak's Sultan Azlan Shah, a former distinguished highest-ranking judge, is believed to have played a crucial role in the matter of filling the vacancy of Chief Justice of the Federal Court.
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According to sources, the decision to fill the position of Chief Justice following Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim£ªs retirement was based on the outcome of discussions between Sultan Azlan Shah and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, with consultations with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin. read more... |
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Opening address by HRH Sultan Azlan Shah at the 14th Malaysian Law Conference |
Monday, 29 October 2007, 04:25pm |
Sultan Azlan Shah speaks out |
50 Years of Constitutionalism and the Rule of Law |
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Assalamaualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.
Salam Sejahtera.
Bismillahi Rahmanir Rahim.
This year marks the 50th year of our nation£ªs Independence. It is also the 50th year of our Merdeka Constitution.
Malaysia and its people have every reason to celebrate this joyous occasion as the country prospers as a constitutional democracy with a constitutional monarchy in the form as established by the Merdeka Constitution in 1957. read more...
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Used By Permission of The Malaysian Bar Website |
14th MLC Opening Speeches and Keynote Address |
Friday, 02 November 2007, 02:12am |
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14th Malaysian Law Conference |
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Date: 29 October 2007 |
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Click to listen to Introductory Address by the Organising Chairman of the 14th Malaysian Law Conference, Mr Roger Tan (6.39 mins)
Click to listen to the Welcome Address by the President of the Malaysian Bar, Ms Ambiga Sreenevasan (22.31 mins)
Click to listen to the Opening Address by HRH Sultan Azlan Shah (25:06 mins)
Click to listen to Speech by the President of the Malaysian Bar, Ms Ambiga Sreenevasan at the dinner hosted by the Prime Minister (9:23 mins)
Click to listen to the Keynote Address by YAB Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Prime Minister of Malaysia (31:58 mins)
You must have Real Player installed before you are able to listen. Click here to download a free Real Player. |
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Extension of CJ's tenure held up by judge-fixing scandal |
Saturday, 27 October 2007, 08:56am |
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Imej Jabatan Kehakiman tidak terjejas
The Straits Times, Singapore(Used by permission)
by Carolyn Hong, Malaysia Bureau Chief
KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIA'S top judge is due to retire in less than a week, but a controversy is brewing as the government has yet to announce either the extension of his tenure or his successor.
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It is believed that the King has not yet approved a six-month extension sought by the government for Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim, hence resulting in the delay. read more... |
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Past LPs£ª and current CJ's records of written judgments - (By Permission of Malaysian Bar Website) |
Contributed by Web Reporter |
Monday, 22 October 2007, 07:25am |
KUALA LUMPUR, Sun: Recently a group of lawyers got together to undertake a comparative study into the number of reported judgments written by the current Chief Justice, Tun Ahmad Fairuz bin Dato' Sheikh Abdul Halim and his three predecessors, Tun Salleh Abas, Raja Azlan Shah (as HRH then was) and Tun Mohamed Suffian when they sat at the High Court, Court of Appeal and the apex court. The results are as follows: know more... |
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Raising the Bar - Oct. 21st, 2007
The Sunday Star (Used by permission)
by Martin Vengadesan
The turning point
All for independence
Significant moments
The state of judiciary is very much in the news today and in the forefront calling for reform is the Bar Council. The country's governing body for lawyers was set up under the 1947 statute that charged it to uphold the cause of justice without fear or favour. Sixty years on, despite difficulties, it remains true to its cause. read more...
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Used By Permission of The StarMetro-North - Friday October 12, 2007
Expedite title transfers urges judge
A HIGH Court in Ipoh has suggested that the Perak Bar Committee make recommendations to the state authorities to lift restrictions in the endorsement of land and property title transfers.? read more...
Ipoh High Court Honourable Justice Dato£ª V.T. Singham£ªs speech on the occassion of t he a dmission and Enrollment as Advocate and Solicitor of Hemalatha Parasa Ramulu and Jayanthin Diana Gnanapathy on 10-10-2007 read full text |
click to view photos |
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Gerakan to gov't: Consider royal commission (Video) |
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Friday, 05 October 2007, 10:22am |
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New Straits Times (Used by permission)
PUTRAJAYA: Doctors have a duty to disclose the risk to their patients before performing critical operations.
And it is for patients to decide whether to go for surgery.
Failure to warn patients on the possible consequences could result in doctors facing a medical negligence suit, should the operation be a failure.? read more...
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Lim Kit Siang's Press Release: PM should disband panel and set up RCI |
by Lim Kit Siang
Lingam Tape - Abdullah should chair next Cabinet meeting to disband 3-man panel and set up RCI
The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi must reconsider and set up urgently a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Lingam Tape scandal as the three-man panel chaired by Tan Sri Haidar Mohamed Noor, tainted by his role in the 1988 judicial crisis, is just untenable and unacceptable. read more...
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PM: I'm disappointed |
Friday, 21 September 2007, 07:22pm |
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Singing in his pain - by Prof. Emeritus Khoo Kay Peng
AN INTERESTING ARTICLE ON THE DILEMMA FACING THE MALAYSIAN CHINESE IN PRESENT POLITICAL SCENARIO. MUST READ FOR UNDERSTANDING TO KNOW WHERE YOU STAND IN FUTURE.
A fair and objective analysis. |
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Time to Malaysianise Malaysia Common Law |
Common law already in place |
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Friday, 21 September 2007, 06:25am |
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The Star(Letters Section) (Used by permission)
by Roger Tan
I REFER to the report
Time to Malaysianise common law system by Dr Wan Azhar Wan Ahmad (The Star, Sept 18).
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Like all others who advocate the replacement of the English common law, Dr Wan Azhar has laboured under a serious misconception that we have to establish and develop the Malaysian common law when, in fact, the Malaysian common law has been actively evolving and developing since Merdeka. It is actually a non-issue.?
The former Lord President, Sultan Azlan Shah, acknowledges this. Writing in 2004 ( Constitutional Monarchy, Rule of Law and Good Governance , pp. 188-189), Sultan Azlan Shah wrote that it is erroneous to say that any reference to the common law in Malaysia especially in the field of commercial transactions means the common law of England. read more ... |
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Handle Judiciously
The Judiciary has been under the spotlight lately for various issues including the still-unfilled post of Chief Judge of Malaya. There is a need to handle this matter wisely to avert the possibility of another constitutional crisis.
By A Kadir Jasin read more... |
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The Sun (Used by permission)
by
R. Surenthira Kumar
PETALING JAYA (Sept 14, 2007): In a landmark decision, the Federal Court today allowed an application by a lawyer to review its earlier judgment.
A five-man panel of judges gave the nod on the grounds that there was an error of fact in the judgment of the High Court and the Court of Appeal.? ...more
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Right royal role |
Monday, 03 September 2007, 09:58pm |
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HRH Raja Nazrin Shah's Speech: For the monarchy in M'sia to continue to function effectively...
The Sun (Used by permission)
PETALING JAYA (Sept 3, 2007): The monarchy has a role to play as the guardian of good governance and the democratic process as mandated by the Federal Constitution, the Raja Muda of Perak said.
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"It is an often overlooked or under-appreciated fact that the monarchy in Malaysia is supposed to play a productive role by being a healthy check and balance in the system of governance," Raja Dr Nazrin Shah said.
"The Federal Constitution mandates the monarchy to be the guardian of the just rule of law, an impartial arbiter in the democratic process and an overseer over the pillars of state.? ... read more |
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Negaraku -My Country, My King, My God |
Friday, 31 August 2007, 07:37pm |
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Sinchew-i (Used by permission)
by
Bob Teoh
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One year ago I had planned to celebrate our 50th Merdeka anniversary by doing two things. The first is to pen a celebratory verse and the other is to fly the Malaysian flag in my house for one whole year till 31 August this year.
Negaraku
Tumpahnya darahku
My country, my home.
Read more
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Law firms riding all-time high - but is the boom about to end?
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Used By Permission Of The Malaysian Bar Website |
Nation can lose Independence if spirit to serve fades away - Sultan |
Saturday, 18 August 2007, 08:40pm |
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Bernama (Used by permission)
TAIPING, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- Sultan Azlan Shah of Perak says the nation can lose its independence if the people's spirit to serve the country fades away.
He also says, without noble leadership principles, the spirit to serve the nation will become thin and when it happens, the country's independence will crumble.
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History shows that the collapse of big empires was due to their leaderships losing their genuine spirit to serve the nation," he said when launching Sekolah Menengah Sains Raja Tun Azlan Shah's 25th anniversary celebration here today.
Therefore, he urged for attention be given to the students' personality development besides academic achievement to produce quality human capital.
He said producing high academic achievers gives no meaning for the country and nation if they are untrustworthy, irresponsible, dishonest and unfair. A situation like this will lead to tyranny and injustice out of greed, he added.
Present at the function were the Raja Permaisuri of Perak Tuanku Bainun, Perak Menteri Besar Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali and Education Ministry Secretary-General Tan Sri Dr Zulkurnain Awang. |
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R. Deno Cole was on vacation in Malaysia.
On July 5th, 2007 R. Reno Cole make an unofficial visit to Perak Bar.
He paid a courtesy call on our firm and Messrs Chan & Associates.
He also visited a few landmarks of Ipoh.
He visited the High Court, the Subordinate Courts and observed proceedings in the Subordinate Courts.
R. Deno is a practising lawyer with the firm
www.knoxtnlaw.com
McGEHEE, STEWART, COLE, DUPREE & ROPER, P.A.
709 Market Street, Suite 2
P.O. Box 57
Knoxville, Tennessee 37901-0057
(865) 281-8400, Ext. 2
(865) 281-8462 (fax)
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