Former Malaysian Bar president Ambiga Sreenevasan said immediate and decisive action by lawyers is needed in the face of attacks on the judiciary.
She said this in explaining a petition started by her and five other former Bar presidents calling on the Bar Council to mobilise a "Walk for Justice" similar to what was done in 2007 when allegations of judicial fixing emerged.
"This petition was launched to urge the Bar Council to hold a walk by members of the Bar sooner rather than later.
"There are moments in time that require an immediate and decisive response from the lawyers and this is one of them," she told Malaysiakini.
Ambiga (above), speaking in her personal capacity, said efforts are being made by certain quarters to undermine the judiciary.
"The last bastion of the rule of law and democracy are under attack.
"We cannot remain silent while certain quarters use innuendo and accusations that are not credible to undermine the judiciary just because they are unhappy with a judgment," she said.
Last week, 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.
Nazlan, when serving as a high court judge, had convicted ex-prime minister Najib Abdul Razak of corruption, money laundering, and abuse of power.
Najib is appealing his 12-year jail sentence and RM210 million fine.
‘Other institutions failing’
Ambiga said the judiciary is now the people's only hope against abuse of power and injustice.
"They are the ones who stand between the rakyat and the might of those in power and those who wield power.
"The other institutions appear to be failing the rakyat in this regard. Hence this petition," said the human rights lawyer.
She added lawyers would be responsible if they failed to act against the attempts to undermine the judiciary.
"If we do not stop this right now, we have no one else to blame but ourselves for having stood by and done nothing to stop this assault on the judiciary and the rule of law.
"Any undermining of the Judiciary is something the nation will never be able to recover from.
"These attacks are by a few, who lack credibility and any understanding of the rule of law, and they have little regard for the damage this will cause to the country.
"They fear the independence of the Judiciary. We must protect it," she said.
Ambiga led some 2,000 lawyers in 2007 to protest against allegations of judicial fixing.
That was after an audio recording was leaked showing now-disbarred lawyer VK Lingam boasting about how he and politicians were able to influence 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. - Mkini
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