The Malaysian Bar calls upon the attorney general to revisit his discretion under Article 145(3) of the Federal Constitution, in relation to the contempt proceedings against Malaysiakini and its editor-in-chief Steven Gan.
The law of contempt serves the public interest and is not to vindicate the dignity of any judge or the court itself, but to prevent an undue interference with the administration of justice in the public interest. There must be a balance between public interest and individual liberties.
As was resolved at the 53rd annual general meeting in 1999, the Malaysian Bar reiterates that the power to punish for contempt of court is by tradition to be exercised sparingly and only in exceptional cases.
The Malaysian Bar understands that an inter partes hearing for the contempt proceedings has been fixed on 2 July 2020 (Thursday), pending disposal of Malaysiakini’s application to set aside the Federal Court ruling granting leave to the attorney general. The Malaysian Bar will hold a watching brief and ventilate the Bar’s views in the prescribed forum.
The law of contempt has been regarded by some common law countries as an archaic and unnecessary tool to interfere with freedom of expression. The UK has abolished the offence of “scandalising the court”.
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The Malaysian Bar views that the vague concept of contempt of court has to be codified to provide a clear and unequivocal definition of legal concepts such as “scandalising the court” and to ensure some degree of certainty in this area of law. In this regard, the Bar Council is in the midst of drafting a contempt of court bill.
Salim Bashir is president of the Malaysian Bar
This piece dated 30 June 2019 is reproduced from here and has been edited for style only.
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
Let us see whether lawyers for the Malaysian Bar can intercede on behalf of the entire Malaysian population, get the Federal Court to drop the case against Malaysiakini that also provides feedback for the government and the country.
The charge is based on a law that is at best cock-eyed since it victimises the social media platform instead of attaching responsibility and guilt, if at all, on the commentators.
Perhaps, the Federal Court should formulate and announce a solemn judicial policy on how it will regard such cases, persuading the commentators to exercise restraint while asserting their right to democratic self-expression.
The right to self-expression is an inalienable right, an innate right, in any self-respecting democracy.
Ban Cheng, the umnoputras will do no such thing.
The action has the desired effect – Malaysiakini is running yellow.
Let’s hope the Bar Council will do as you suggested – no, not that I think the umnoputras will pull back , but just so that a protest is made,