KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian Bar president AG Kalidas has condemned the alleged actions of a lawyer that brought the judiciary into disrepute.
On June 7, 2021, a police report was filed against a prominent lawyer by a special officer to Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat for allegedly bringing the judiciary into disgrace.
Kalidas said in a statement today that the Bar Council is deeply troubled by the news that the report had been lodged against the lawyer.
The lawyer in question had allegedly suggested that decisions made by the judiciary could be influenced.
“Such purported conduct as reported is disgraceful and unbecoming of a member of the legal community.
“The Malaysian Bar does not tolerate such unscrupulous and unethical behaviour, which will inevitably tarnish the good name of the profession,” he said.
The lawyer had apparently sent a foreign client messages suggesting that the judiciary could be influenced.
The messages are believed to be related to two civil appeals currently proceeding before the Court of Appeal.
He said that if the alleged actions are indeed proven to be true, it is considered a misconduct.
“Such practice, as reported in the news report, does not only sully the good name of the entire legal profession, but fundamentally erodes the confidence placed in us by the public as upholders of the law and justice,” he added.
Complaints against lawyers are dealt with via the Advocates and Solicitors Disciplinary Board (ASDB), which is tasked with investigating complaints against lawyers in relation to professional misconduct.
“The Malaysian Bar leaves it to the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter. We are ready to assist the police, if necessary, to defend the dignity and integrity of the legal profession,” Kalidas said. – The Vibes, June 20, 2021
