Speaking to journalists after the EGM, Bar Council chairperson Ragunath Kesavan said the Bar will also be seeking an immediate meeting with the prime minister to handover a memorandum on the breakdown of rule of law by the police.
In addition, he said the meeting today also agreed for the council to lodge a complain with Suhakam to conduct an inquiry in the manner of the police have acted against the lawyers.
"We will also be writing to the chief justice asking for his intervention as lawyers are officers of courts as well," he said, adding that the matter will be raised in Parliament by lawyers who are also MPs.
"We intend to ensure that the adherence of rule of law is by all quarters, especially the police... when we talk about instilling public confidence, they (the police) must show that they abide to the rule of law and provisions in the constitution," said Ragunath.
One of the most important aspects of instilling public confidence on the police force would be calling for the resignation of the IGP and the home minister.
"We had issued a statement asking for apology from the police but his (Home Minister Hishammuddin) response was, 'lawyers are not above the law'. The issue is the police should be subjected to this law as well," said Ragunath.
He stressed that what the home minister had said was "not a reply, not a solution and not what we want to hear".
"The police are not above the law. We have federal constitution and we respect the rule of law," he said.
(Source: Malaysiakini - Support Mkini - Subscribe to Mkini!)
In addition, he said the meeting today also agreed for the council to lodge a complain with Suhakam to conduct an inquiry in the manner of the police have acted against the lawyers.
"We will also be writing to the chief justice asking for his intervention as lawyers are officers of courts as well," he said, adding that the matter will be raised in Parliament by lawyers who are also MPs.
"We intend to ensure that the adherence of rule of law is by all quarters, especially the police... when we talk about instilling public confidence, they (the police) must show that they abide to the rule of law and provisions in the constitution," said Ragunath.One of the most important aspects of instilling public confidence on the police force would be calling for the resignation of the IGP and the home minister.
"We had issued a statement asking for apology from the police but his (Home Minister Hishammuddin) response was, 'lawyers are not above the law'. The issue is the police should be subjected to this law as well," said Ragunath.
He stressed that what the home minister had said was "not a reply, not a solution and not what we want to hear".
"The police are not above the law. We have federal constitution and we respect the rule of law," he said.
(Source: Malaysiakini - Support Mkini - Subscribe to Mkini!)
1 comment:
It's prime time those responsible for the unacceptable arrests of lawyers/ordinary citizens to quit !!! Including those who arrest people singing Negaraku early this year !!!!
These people should have spared time arresting thieves rather than ordinary citizens and lawyers !!!
Btw, lawyers have access to their clients as provided under constitution ! So pls tell this people, pls don't simply arrest them without proper acceptable reasons !!!!
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