Former A-G Apandi offers free legal aid to anti-ICERD protesters

Mohd Farhan Darwis Mohd Farhan Darwis Updated 7 years ago · Published on 3 Dec 2018 2:53PM · 14 Comments

Former attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali says the Bar Council should also offer legal aid to rally participants. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, December 3, 2018.

FORMER attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali has offered free legal aid to participants of the mega-rally protesting against the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).

Apandi, who is offering the legal services via his law firm Apandi Ali & Co, said he was doing so as he believed in what the gathering stood for, and said he was confident that many others would step up to support the organisers.

“Yes, it’s true, I am offering free legal services to participants of the rally on the day of the gathering because I am confident that what they are doing is good for the country,” Apandi told The Malaysian Insight.

“Because I agree with what they are fighting for, in principle, to protest against the ratification of ICERD. They are doing the right thing for the country.

“If on the day of the rally, they are detained by police, there will be volunteers who will give them free legal advice,” said Apandi.

He said the Bar Council should also offer the same services, citing the free legal aid extended to participants of the previous Bersih rallies calling for free and fair elections.

“The Bar Council should also do this. In the past, they did it during Bersih for free elections, and it was good. They should step forward and offer the same thing, because it is good for the country,” said Apandi.

Organisers of the rally, which is scheduled for this Saturday, said offers of free legal advice have been pouring in.

The government pledge to ratify ICERD has galvanised Malay rights groups, who fear the anti-discrimination convention will erode Bumiputera privileges. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, December 3, 2018.

Chief secretariat of the Gerakan Pembela Ummah (Ummah), Aminuddin Yah­ya, said he had yet to receive an official offer from Apandi, but said more than 60 lawyers have pledged to be present during the gathering to support participants.

“There’s been no confirmation from anybody, I, too only heard from the media that he (Apandi) will help.

“But we have received a lot of assistance, many lawyers have come forward to give free legal advise to us,” he told The Malaysian Insight today.

“Whoever wants to assist us, we welcome it, we don’t need you to register or anything, but anybody can come forward and help.”

Ummah had earlier confirmed that they have handed in their application for a permit to hold the rally, which will also see the participation from Umno and PAS top leaders.

Putrajaya had pledged to ratify ICERD by early next year, sparking protests from Malay-rights groups who claim the UN convention will erode Bumiputera privileges and rights.

Faced with a groundswell of opposition, the government backtracked on its decision.

However, organisers of this Saturday’s rally say they will continue with their plans, despite calls from several Muslim groups for the protest to be cancelled following heightened racial tensions in the country.

The muftis of Kelantan, Perak, Penang and Negri Sembilan have called for the rally to be called off. – December 3, 2018.

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Comments

  • Suddenly the nation feel so indebted to this good lad for his good deed. Yeah right. Encouraging participant to misbehave?

    Posted 7 years ago by Jebat Hebat · Reply

  • Some just like to commit wrong again and again.

    Posted 7 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Why still no action be taken against this lying dog?

    Posted 7 years ago by Jackal Way · Reply

  • Save your time and breath Pandi !!!! you need it as you might be too busy to extricate yourself from all the pending charges that will hit until you are breathless. Playing hero when you are zero only encumbrance when you are a total wash out. You have nothing to offer and by doing this antics of yours are just desperation by hours to buy support. Sudah Lah !!! Tunggu sja untuk di remanded than jangan sibuk sekrang . Kerja bodoh dan hanya masa yang terhad. Siapkan preparation awak untuk membicara charges against you. Pathetic betul!!!!!

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • Hahaha...anyone wants advice from the #1 and biggest %#&*+++ in the world ...

    Posted 7 years ago by Concerned Citizen · Reply

  • What an asshole. The least he can do is to educate his UMNO members the true implications of ratifying ICERD. He is a disgrace to the human race.

    Posted 7 years ago by Panchen Low · Reply

  • Apandi has finally emerged from the 1MDB hole. Just like the 1MDB case hes defending the indefensible.

    Posted 7 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply

  • He's hoping that there will be enough trouble and violence that the current government will fail so that his own skin will be saved. This is motivated by pure self-interest.
    Aiding and abetting the theft of billions of dollars from 1MDB are reasons enough for criminal charges to be brought against someone who was totally complicit in shielding MO1 from justice.

    Posted 7 years ago by Arul Inthirarajah · Reply

  • Thank you for confirming many people's suspicion of what your true ideals are.

    Posted 7 years ago by Léon Moch · Reply

  • This fool is no lawyer. Why is anyone with half a brain will rally for something that's not there at all. This is only to topple the current government and these guys are treasonous.

    Posted 7 years ago by Alphonz Jayaraman · Reply

  • Otak Udang Talking Just ignore

    Posted 7 years ago by Tharan Singh · Reply

  • is this apandi going to be charged with the false saudi donation? if yes, when?

    Posted 7 years ago by . . · Reply

  • You yourself have no principles

    Posted 7 years ago by Mo Salleh · Reply

  • Apandi's hoping against hope that the Pakatan Harapan government will collapse, so he can be let off the hook, kan?

    Posted 7 years ago by Antares Maitreya · Reply