[UPDATED] Bar Council stands by its chief, press statement on Najib case

KUALA LUMPUR – The Bar Council has unanimously expressed its support for current president Karen Cheah and stood by a statement which allegedly “attacked” former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s lead counsel Hisyam Teh Poh Teik and his team that she had issued on August 19.

Malaysian Bar vice-president Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab, in a statement today, said the press release was made on behalf of the council in relation to the recent case involving Najib at the Federal Court.

“It is the subject matter of demand dated August 26 issued by Messrs Zaid Ibrahim Suflan T H Liew & Partners representing three of their partners, Datuk Seri Zaid Ibrahim, Liew Teck Huat, and Rueben Mathiavaranam.

“The Malaysian Bar has, by a letter dated September 2 issued by its legal counsel, replied to the letter of demand denying the allegations.”

On August 30, Hisyam hinted that legal action would be initiated against Cheah following her comments about him in relation to Najib’s final appeal against his SRC International conviction, which saw the Federal Court upholding his 12-year jail sentence and RM210 million fine.

Ezri said the Bar has always expressed and will continue to express its concerns on matters of public interest, such as the administration of justice, as well as the standards of the legal profession in the country. 

“An attack on the president of the Malaysian Bar for doing so is an attack on the Bar Council, and by extension, an attack on the Malaysian Bar.

“The Malaysian Bar will continue its duty and efforts uninfluenced by fear or favour and will not cower from any act of intimidation.”

A group of former Bar presidents had also previously expressed their full support for Cheah in her vocal defence of the independence of the judiciary. 

Eight former Bar presidents said they stand with the judiciary in these “unprecedented times” as the institution faces an onslaught of attacks by individuals attempting to strike fear in judges and undermine their independence. 

Also, Najib’s former lawyer Datuk Mohd Zaid Ibrahim accused the Bar Council of becoming a “politicised” outfit after the criticism levelled against him while he represented Najib during the former prime minister’s final SRC International appeal. – The Vibes, September 5, 2022