The long-standing 'forged ballots' issue has been put to rest as members at the Malaysian Bar's 61st AGM today voted for new scrutineer to finish the verification exercise and in declaring the results.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference in her capacity as new Malaysian Bar president, Ambiga Sreenevasan ( right ) hoped that the issue rests upon this decision.

"The election issue of false ballots has been the biggest news for Bar Council over the past few months."

"We believe with this overwhelming resolution, we can put this matter to rest, put it behind us and move on in accordance with the clear sentiments of our members," she said.

Amiga said there was satisfaction all around after the motion put forward by A Kanesalingam was carried overwhelmingly by the members in endorsing the actions of the Bar Council.

Forged ballots were found during the 2007-2008 Bar Council elections resulting in the division of opinions including whether to hold fresh elections or not.

Law suits ensued and it was decided that the Bar Council will decide on the next course of action and or to resolve the matter after receiving the scrutineer's report.

Implement IPCMC

Other motions were passed unanimously today included the Bar calling for the repeal of all laws relating to the Emergency Ordinance, which allows detention without trial.

"There is great concern about the abuse of powers and arrest that has been highlighted in the media and we believe that these complaints cannot go unheeded any longer," Ambiga said.

The resolution on corporal punishment and whipping was also carried out unanimously.

"As a general rule in relation to all offences, (the Malaysian Bar views) the corporal punishment of whipping should be removed from our statute books," she said.

The Bar will also look into the possibility of initiating a 'public interest litigation' at the High Court for the urgent formation and implementation by the government of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).

"The Malaysian Bar expresses concerns that the attorney-general has been slow in prosecuting criminal abuse of police powers.

"We call upon (him) to expeditiously prosecute all cases of criminal abuse without fear or favour and by the same standards they would prosecute any other citizens," Ambiga said.

She also said that the Bar has currently engaged the AG and the Inspector General of Police in discussing issues including those relating to deaths in custody.

The resolution calling for a no-confidence vote in the AG was defeated.

Stop the demolitions

The resolutions concerning the demolition of places of worship were also passed:

  • The demolishment of Hindu temples and other places of worship in Malaysia without due process is against the letter and spirit of Article 11 of the Federal Constitution.

  • The Malaysian Bar calls upon the government of Malaysia to forthwith halt the demolishment of any other places of worship in Malaysia under emergency legislation

  • The Malaysian Bar further to Article 8 of the Federal Constitution calls upon the government of Malaysia to forthwith alienate land gazette the same as reserved for places of worship and issue land titles to the respective trustees of the places of worship accordingly as is practiced for all Muslim places of worship.

    • Ambiga stressed that the Bar will continue their pursuit for a judicial commission and for the review the 1988 judicial crisis.

    "We are not leaving that issue alone. We will go forth with that and looking at various avenues for us to pursue," she added.

    Other office bearers chosen today were Ragunath Kesavan (vice-president), Lim Chee Wee (secretary), George Varughese (treasurer).

    The quorum of 500 was achieved at 10:10am with 926 lawyers confirmed their attendance.