Gurdial Singh Nijar

LETTER | Access to justice is seeking popularity?

LETTER | Access to justice is seeking popularity?

Law minister Takiyuddin Hassan has all but shown his disdain for the rule of law and due process.

COMMENT | The king and us

COMMENT | The king and us

COMMENT | Some argue that the king has no role and must abide by what the government of the day wants.

COMMENT | The ABC of an emergency proclamation

COMMENT | The ABC of an emergency proclamation

PM is reportedly making moves for an emergency declaration, what are the implications of it?

COMMENT | What to expect when no-confidence motion against PM is tabled

COMMENT | What to expect when no-confidence motion against PM is tabled

If the motion is passed, the PM must tender his resignation or request the Agong to dissolve Parliament but the Agong is not obliged to agree to the request.
COMMENT | State v Federal impasse over lockdown relaxation order

COMMENT | State v Federal impasse over lockdown relaxation order

Under the Federal Constitution, state governments are obliged to make sure that states comply with federal law.

Martin Khor: 1951 - 2020

Martin Khor: 1951 - 2020

OBITUARY | Truly, a legend in his lifetime and well after.

Spare a thought and treat undocumented workers right

Spare a thought and treat undocumented workers right

LETTER | There is a huge trust deficit between the gov't and undocumented migrants who have been poor treated in the past by the authorities.

Agong doesn't determine confidence based on numbers alone

Agong doesn't determine confidence based on numbers alone

It is an assessment of who can in the immediate future most likely command the confidence of the majority, says former law professor Gurdial Singh Nijar.
Reid Commission altered rulers' absolute power

Reid Commission altered rulers' absolute power

LETTER | The absolute power of the rulers to run the administration of the state was abrogated.

King, rulers have no say in appointment of CJ

King, rulers have no say in appointment of CJ

LETTER | The king must act on the advice of the prime minister.

Time to end repressive laws

Time to end repressive laws

LETTER | If all goes as announced, we are in for a major repair to our democratic ethos.
Not seditious to ask for abolition of Sedition Act

Not seditious to ask for abolition of Sedition Act

LETTER | There should be no hesitation in repealing a law that has gone well past its expiry date.

Take strong measures to check racial disunity

Take strong measures to check racial disunity

LETTER | The government can start with an awareness programme for schoolchildren and extending it to all levels of society.
We must have an immediate moratorium on tyrannical laws

We must have an immediate moratorium on tyrannical laws

LETTER | Hakam backs Gobind Singh Deo’s call for a moratorium on any Sedition Act charge.

Terminating the attorney-general

Terminating the attorney-general

COMMENT | The 'client' in this case, the gov’t, has the right to 'change lawyers' at any time.

Free speech on a leash

Free speech on a leash

The gallery broke out into a thunderous applause when the Court of Appeal today set aside the nine-month jail sentence against activist Hishamuddin Rais and substituted it for the maximum fine allowed under the Sedition Act. Relief indeed! But the conviction was maintained. Despite what appeared to many as convincing arguments by his counsel that there was no basis for the conviction.
The Federal Court’s grim but timely reminder to the IGP

The Federal Court’s grim but timely reminder to the IGP

It is indeed a matter of regret - but entirely appropriate - for the Federal Court to remind the inspector-general of police (IGP) of his obligation under the Police Act to carry out any direction issued by a court. Because of his failure to do so, the Federal Court issued a mandamus ordering him to comply. A mandamus is issued to compel a public officer to carry out his public duty.
Celaka - what’s in a word?

Celaka - what’s in a word?

What has the Malaysian prosecution system denigrated into? A lawmaker was hauled to court for using the word ‘celaka Umno’. And the charge was under no less than the pernicious Sedition Act. On conviction a long jail term could follow.
Hakam condemns police action against journalist

Hakam condemns police action against journalist

The National Human Rights Society (Hakam) strongly condemns the action taken by the police against a Malaysiakini journalist who did little more than faithfully report the statements of a Barisan Nasional (BN) politician uttered in a public forum, canvassing for votes in the Sarawak elections.
Law don grills Shafee's ethics after Anwar attack

Law don grills Shafee's ethics after Anwar attack

COMMENT Practice and Etiquette Rules 1978 outline behaviour of lawyers.
Rapid development at whose expense?

Rapid development at whose expense?

The Penang chief minister (CM) has complained of the state government being unfairly targeted for approving projects for developers although it has gone to great lengths to be transparent and to balance the various competing interests involved.
'Selective prosecution fuels repeal of Sedition Act'

'Selective prosecution fuels repeal of Sedition Act'

COMMENT The minister’s defence of Ibrahim Ali disregards the law and court decisions.
The M'sian Dilemma - to speak or not to speak?

The M'sian Dilemma - to speak or not to speak?

COMMENT 'Society is mature enough to accommodate open discussions on issues.'