KUALA LUMPUR: A peaceful protest can be organised by the Malaysian Bar over investigations into Court of Appeal decide Datuk Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali.
This was one of many resolutions authorised at a Malaysian Bar extraordinary basic assembly (EGM) held right here Friday (May 27).
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According to the Malaysian Bar, the probe was an intimidation against the judiciary.
“The Malaysian Bar condemns within the strongest potential phrases the unprecedented method by which the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has publicly introduced the graduation of legal investigation of a superior court docket decide and disclosed the decide’s title to the general public.
“This is tantamount to an act of intimidation against the judiciary.
“We condemn any interference with the independence of the judiciary and breaches of the elemental precept of separation of powers.
“The Malaysian Bar shall take speedy and obligatory steps to organise a peaceful protest at a time and venue deemed appropriate by the Bar Council,” mentioned Malaysian Bar president Karen Cheah (pic) at a press convention after the EGM.
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Cheah mentioned the Bar Council can be assembly on Sunday (May 29) to resolve on the date and venue for the protest.
She added that it could possibly be related to earlier protests organised by the bar, such because the 2007 “Walk for Justice” in Putrajaya and the 2011 “Walk for Freedom” in Kuala Lumpur.
On April 22, the MACC mentioned it had launched an investigation on claims that there have been funds transferred to Mohd Nazlan’s account throughout his time because the group basic counsel and firm secretary of Maybank.
Mohd Nazlan was the decide who convicted former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak over the misappropriation of RM42mil in SRC International Sdn Bhd funds.
Cheah mentioned apart from the protest stroll, the Bar Council can be contemplating submitting a authorized swimsuit to problem the MACC’s investigation.
“We are additionally contemplating advocating legislative reform to shield the independence of the judiciary from interference by the chief,” mentioned Cheah.
Cheah mentioned the Malaysian Bar can be calling Attorney General Tan Sri Idrus Harun to act on the matter and “take obligatory steps” to shield the establishment of the judiciary from intimidation and interference.
“We need the AG to act on the truth that he additionally has a job to play to uphold independence of the judiciary,” mentioned Cheah.
The decision on upholding and defending the independence of the judiciary was adopted with an “overwhelming” majority by members of the bar on the EGM, mentioned Cheah.
She added that the presidents of the Sabah Law Society and the Advocates Association of Sarawak have been additionally current on the EGM as observers.
“On the topic of upholding the independence of the judiciary, we consider that every one three Bars are aligned,” mentioned Cheah.
More than 600 members of the Malaysian Bar attended the EGM, which was held at Wisma MCA.
