Sarawak CM slams door in face of peninsula lawyers

Desmond Davidson Desmond Davidson Updated 5 years ago · Published on 27 Oct 2018 8:20AM · 3 Comments

SARAWAK Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg last night slammed the door in the face of peninsula-based lawyers hoping to work in the state.

He said the time is ripe for the Advocates Ordinance of Sarawak to be amended, to establish a statutory body for the group after the Advocates Association of Sarawak (AAS) said Putrajaya had attempted to force them into giving unfettered access to peninsula lawyers seeking to practise in the state.

AAS’ Kuching branch chairman, Sarbjit Singh Khaira, in his welcoming address, said attempts to register the association as a statutory body with the Registrar of Societies came with a condition – that AAS agree to adopt an open-door policy and allow peninsula lawyers in.

Khaira said AAS refused to sign away its rights, and appealed to the state government for assistance.

Abang Johari said for AAS to carry out its statutory duties effectively and be truly independent like the Bar Council, the ordinance needs to be amended.

The exclusive rights of Sarawak advocates to practise in the state are provided for in the Advocates Ordinance of Sarawak, Inter-Governmental Committee Report 1962 and Article 161(B) of the federal constitution.

“These are your rights,” the chief minister told state advocates.

“It is in line with the state government’s stand to assert the rights of Sarawakians, as provided for in the Inter-Government Committee Report, Malaysia Agreement 1963 and safeguards in the federal constitution.” – October 27, 2018.

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Comments

  • It is alright that the Sarawak lawyers he protected . Lets face fact they may become extinct if they are not . Just look what happened to the Dodo Birds!

    Posted 5 years ago by John Fam · Reply

  • That is why i do not respect Abg Jo as my CM. The late Tok Nan is irreplaceable.

    Posted 5 years ago by Dayang Fazrina Abang Yasir · Reply

  • Sarawak lawyers can sit tight in their own caves.

    Posted 5 years ago by ASK LAZIE · Reply