I feel that the Bar Council’s decision to call off the walk to commemorate Human Rights Day is wrong and disappointing. There does not seem to be any clear indication as to why the walk has been called off, apart from some vague reference to the need to apply for a police permit.

It is disappointing and ironic indeed that the Bar Council have to kowtow to undemocratic and unjust laws on the occasion that is supposed to celebrate and advance human rights in our country. In light of recent events, I believe that there is all the more reason that the Bar Council and Malaysian Bar should be taking the lead to fight for rights and freedoms that every Malaysian is entitled to.
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It is sad that the law in Malaysia has become what it is today.

One of the worst things about it is that the judiciary is no longer a counterbalance in the so-called doctrine of separation of powers. I say “so-called” because this doctrine does not apply in our beloved country.

As far as I’m concerned, the recent trial-by-media of Justice Gopal Sri Ram to be an insidious meddling of the judiciary by the invisible but powerful hand of certain quarters. I believe any intelligent Malaysian who knows a thing or two about the personalities involved in the case will know what I am talking about. And as far as I can tell, Justice Gopal Sri Ram is an excellent judge, although sometimes he may be a bit difficult to handle in court.
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I was just at a DAP forum on the Lina Joy case. I must say that I am both disappointed and encouraged by what I saw and heard.

On the one hand, some of the speakers were terribly disappointing. To be fair, I shall not point them out. On the other hand, the turn out, which could have been anywhere between 700 to 1,000 people, shows that many Malaysians still care and dare to speak their minds.

Well, considering there were so many lawyers, politicians and Islamic scholars at the “dialogue”, I just had to say my two sens’ worth and ask the panel a few questions.
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