Latest news with #MalaysianBarCouncil
The Sun
4 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Strengthen syariah courts to reduce case delays, says ex-CJ
GEORGE TOWN: The syariah judicial system in Malaysia must be reinforced to tackle prolonged case adjournments, ensuring swifter and fairer justice delivery. Former Chief Justice Tun Zaki Azmi highlighted inefficiencies in court administration as a key factor behind delays, particularly in divorce, maintenance, and child custody cases. He stressed that frequent adjournments, often due to absent parties or unjustified requests, waste time and unfairly affect vulnerable individuals. 'Judges must be firm in rejecting weak adjournment pleas. Delayed justice denies justice, and the innocent suffer,' he said. Zaki spoke after presenting 'Memartabatkan Mahkamah Syariah di Malaysia' at the Penang Syariah Law and Judicial Convention. Malaysian Bar Council president Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab and Penang Syariah chief judge Za'im Md Yudin were also present. To improve accessibility, he proposed simplifying procedures for those unable to afford legal representation. 'User-friendly templates for filing cases and pro bono legal aid can ease burdens on the underprivileged,' he added. - Bernama
Barnama
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Ex-CJ: Strengthen Syariah Courts, Be Firm On Case Adjournments
GEORGE TOWN, July 22 (Bernama) -- The country's syariah judicial system must be strengthened and comprehensively improved to address the issue of prolonged case adjournments, ensuring that justice is delivered more swiftly and effectively. Former Chief Justice Tun Zaki Azmi said that many cases in the syariah courts are delayed due to repeated adjournments and inefficiencies in court administration. He said adjournments often occur due to various factors, including the absence of lawyers or parties involved, as well as adjournment requests made without valid reasons. Such delays, he added, not only waste time but also unfairly burden innocent parties, particularly in cases involving divorce, maintenance claims, and hadanah (child custody), especially those affecting the underprivileged. 'That is why I urge judges to be firm in making decisions and to reject adjournment requests that lack strong justification. 'Adjourned cases are simply a waste of time. The court is meant to serve justice, but when cases drag on for years, we are essentially denying justice, and it is the innocent who suffer,' he said. He said this to reporters after delivering a presentation titled 'Memartabatkan Mahkamah Syariah di Malaysia' in conjunction with the Penang Syariah Law and Judicial Convention here today. Also present were Malaysian Bar Council president Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab and Penang Syariah chief judge Za'im Md Yudin. Explaining further, Zaki suggested that the service delivery system in the syariah court be improved to ensure that those in need receive proper assistance without being burdened by complicated or inconvenient procedures. 'I propose that the syariah court administration assist individuals who cannot afford lawyers by creating user-friendly templates to simplify the process of filing cases.
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Safeguarding Judicial Independence
TWO weeks ago, Malaysia's legal community reached a tipping point when lawyers, led by the Malaysian Bar Council, embarked on a 2.6km 'Walk to Safeguard Judicial Independence.' Clad in black and armed with a 65-page memorandum, they pressed the Prime Minister's Office to curb executive overreach in judicial appointments. At the heart of their grievances was the abrupt decision to deny six-month tenure extensions to three of the judiciary's most senior figures – former Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, Court of Appeal President Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, and Federal Court Judge Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan – as each approached the constitutionally mandated retirement age of 66. Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Full access to Web and App. RM 13.90/month RM 9.73 /month Billed as RM 9.73 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter. RM 12.39/month RM 8.63 /month Billed as RM 103.60 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.
![Lawyers gather at Palace of Justice to defend judicial independence [WATCH]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fassets%2FNST-Logo%402x.png%3Fid%3Db37a17055cb1ffea01f5&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
New Straits Times
14-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Lawyers gather at Palace of Justice to defend judicial independence [WATCH]
PUTRAJAYA: Hundreds of lawyers began to assemble outside the Palace of Justice this afternoon ahead of a planned march to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in defence of judicial independence. Despite overcast skies and a light drizzle, participants of the 'Walk to Safeguard Judicial Independence' arrived in formal attire, donning suits and ties. Malaysian Bar Council secretariats in safety jackets were seen distributing blue caps and preparing to guide the crowd for the 2.6km march. Set to begin at 2pm, the demonstration saw the presence of several high-profile legal practitioners, including former Bar president Karen Cheah Yee Lynn, prominent human rights lawyer Siti Kasim, and Kota Baru member of parliament Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan. Police were observed monitoring the perimeter of the gathering as the participants prepared for the march. The march will culminate in the submission of a memorandum containing four key demands. These include the immediate appointment of top judicial posts, the disclosure of Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) meeting minutes, the formation of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into alleged interference in the judiciary, and action on widespread judicial vacancies. On July 12, Kuala Lumpur deputy police chief Datuk Mohamed Usuf Jan Mohamad confirmed receiving an application from the Malaysian Bar to organise a march and peaceful assembly. He said the application was submitted to the Putrajaya district police headquarters last Wednesday.
New Straits Times
14-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Lawyers gather at Palace of Justice to defend judicial independence
PUTRAJAYA: Hundreds of lawyers began to assemble outside the Palace of Justice this afternoon ahead of a planned march to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in defence of judicial independence. Despite overcast skies and a light drizzle, participants of the 'Walk to Safeguard Judicial Independence' arrived in formal attire, donning suits and ties. Malaysian Bar Council secretariats in safety jackets were seen distributing blue caps and preparing to guide the crowd for the 2.6km march. Set to begin at 2pm, the demonstration saw the presence of several high-profile legal practitioners, including former Bar president Karen Cheah Yee Lynn, prominent human rights lawyer Siti Kasim, and Kota Baru member of parliament Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan. Police were observed monitoring the perimeter of the gathering as the participants prepared for the march. The march will culminate in the submission of a memorandum containing four key demands. These include the immediate appointment of top judicial posts, the disclosure of Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) meeting minutes, the formation of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into alleged interference in the judiciary, and action on widespread judicial vacancies. On July 12, Kuala Lumpur deputy police chief Datuk Mohamed Usuf Jan Mohamad confirmed receiving an application from the Malaysian Bar to organise a march and peaceful assembly. He said the application was submitted to the Putrajaya district police headquarters last Wednesday.
