Malaysian Bar to hold 'walk for judicial independence' on June 17

 

The Malaysian Bar has fixed June 17 to hold a peaceful assembly over alleged intimidation against the judiciary.

In a circular today, its president, Karen Cheah Yee Lynn (above, centre), announced the date for the walk, following its previous indication of readiness to organise and lead lawyers in the assembly.

The document - viewable at the Bar’s official portal - stated the ‘walk for judicial independence’ to take place on that date at 10am.

The circular stated the gathering point at Padang Merbok Car Park, with the destination being the Parliament building as well as the dress code being chambers’ attire.

“I call on all members and pupils in chambers to please attend the walk and peacefully protest against the impropriety and manner of investigation commenced by the MACC against a superior court judge,” Cheah said.

On May 27 following the Bar’s extraordinary general meeting, its president announced the walk as part of a resolution passed by over 600 members present.

Cheah said aside from 437 members who voted for the resolution, representatives from Sabah and Sarawak present as observers were also supportive of the walk and the Malaysian Bar’s condemnation of attacks against the judiciary.

Aside from a peaceful protest, Cheah said the resolution also comprises other possible actions to challenge the propriety and manner of the investigation commenced by MACC against Court of Appeal judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali after a politically-linked blog posted an allegation claiming he had unexplained wealth.

The resolution on upholding and protecting the independence of the judiciary and the preservation of public confidence in the judiciary was the only one passed on that day.

As of May 23, Attorney-General Idrus Harun told Malaysiakini that the Attorney-General's Chambers were still perusing the MACC's investigation papers for the probe against Nazlan. - Mkini