PM, ex-AG Thomas, others condole Sri Ram's passing

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, former attorney-general Tommy Thomas, the judiciary, other lawyers, and politicians have extended their condolences on the passing of senior deputy public prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram, who died this afternoon aged 79.

“Condolences to the family of the late Gopal Sri Ram on his passing.

“May all the family’s affairs be made easier and may the family stay strong and resilient in the face of this sad news,” Anwar tweeted shortly after Sri Ram’s death was reported.

Meanwhile, Thomas described the former Federal Court judge as a national treasure and that he was devastated by the loss.

“Sri Ram had a world-class brain; he was as cerebral as any in the common law world. Incredibly articulate in speech and eloquent in prose.

“He was my friend and I am devastated by his loss,” Thomas said.

He said Sri Ram had contributed the most to Malaysian legal scholarship and the administration of justice in the country post-Merdeka.

Thomas said Sri Ram was Malaysia’s pre-eminent barrister who was rewarded to become the first direct appointment to the newly established Court of Appeal in 1994.

Sri Ram was also one of the country’s greatest judges, whose judgments were included in law reports in many diverse branches of the law, he added.

He was also Malaysia’s greatest prosecutor in leading our most difficult prosecutions in the 1MDB scandals, said the former attorney-general.

Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, representing the judiciary, also sent their condolences to Sri Ram’s family in a statement today.

She said his passing was a huge loss to the judiciary and the legal fraternity in the country, as he made great contributions during his service as a judge in the Court of Appeal and the Federal Court over 15 years.

“His passing is a loss that will be felt by specifically the judiciary members and the country at large,” she said.

Heartfelt loss

A slew of reactions to Sri Ram’s passing is also pouring in from Twitter.

Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu conveyed his condolences to Sri Ram’s family, saying the veteran lawyer gave “outstanding service” to the nation, especially in the 1MDB case as well as many other cases of national and public interest.

Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman thanked Sri Ram for his service to the nation and said Malaysia has lost a brilliant legal mind.

“My deepest condolences to the family. You will be missed. Rest in peace, sir,” he said.

Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan, a lawyer by profession, said he was sad to hear of Sri Ram’s passing.

“He was always friendly to me when we met in court - when he was back in practice - or during talks or lectures.

“(He was) always willing to impart snippets of his substantial knowledge of the law,” Syahredzan added.

Meanwhile, in a Whatsapp message to Malaysiakini, former Sepang MP Mohamed Hanipa Maidin recalled the times he appeared as a legal counsel before Sri Ram when the latter was a judge.

“My first appearance before him involved a mandatory injunction. Fortunately, I won, but my opponent sadly got hammered by him from left to right.

“I still remember his words against my opponent, ‘Counsel, let’s be reminded that this is a court of law and not a school of law’.

“I was a junior lawyer then. We became good friends thereafter. He was very, very learned,” Hanipa said.

Fellow lawyers have also expressed their sorrow over Sri Ram’s passing, with many of them recalling him fondly on Twitter.

Lawyer Siti Kasim said he offered his legal services pro-bono when she was previously charged in court.

“I had (lawyer) Suzana Norlihan at that time. A man with a good heart. I shall miss him,” she said.

Meanwhile, lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar said it was the “end of an era” and that he learned a lot from the retired judge.

Sri Ram passed away at 12.15pm today at the Gleneagles Hospital in Kuala Lumpur.

He was reportedly undergoing treatment for a lung infection at the hospital last week.

He was leading the prosecution against former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak in the latter’s ongoing 1MDB corruption trial.

He was also the lead prosecutor in the RM1.25 billion solar hybrid project involving Najib’s wife, Rosmah Mansor.

Former Federal Court judge Gopal Sri Ram dies

Gopal Sri Ram warded for lung infection

Anti-graft provision aims to stamp out corruption - Sri Ram

1MDB Trial: Prosecution wants to use Najib audio that MACC revealed

Prosecution ‘belly dancing’ over bank info involving Zeti’s family - Shafee

Shafee apologises to court but insists media statement is accurate