Nazri: Bar Council does not represent the rakyat

Bar Council president Lim Chee Wee's view on Peaceful Assembly Bill 2011 doesn't represent the views of the people, said de facto Law Minister Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz.

According to a report in Sin Chew Daily today, said the council’s proposal on the establishment of a Parliamentary Select Committee to scrutinise the Bill, was unnecessary.

“The government is (formed) by representatives of the people. BN has 140 members of Parliament and there are some Independents who support us.

“I urge Lim to register the Bar Council as a political party and become the first to challenge me in Padang Rengas in the next general election,” said Nazri.

Lim had suggested that the PSC hold public hearings to source for feedback on the Bill and criticised the government for its “unholy haste” to pass the law.

Still room for amendments

He said that the proposed law was not up to international standards and the Bar Council will continue with its procession to Parliament tomorrow to hand over its protest note.

Nazri also told Sin Chew that once debates on the Bill begin in the Dewan Rakyat tomorrow, there will be room for amendments.

He said that thus, there could be more amendments forthcoming, surpassing the eight that had already been announced.

However, Nazri said this should not be seen as a “flip-flop”, but instead proves that the government accepts feedback from the public.

Defending the Bill, Nazri said it was necessary to prevent situations seen in the London Riots in August.

He stressed that the Bill will not affect trade unions or election campaigns.