FIFTEEN motions have been submitted to the Malaysian Bar to be debated at its 72nd annual general meeting in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow, including one calling for an alcohol ban at all of the lawyers’ group’s functions.

The quorum for the closed-door meeting will be met with 500 lawyers. The Malaysian Bar has at least 21,000 members throughout Peninsular Malaysia, according to its website.

Among the motions proposed, in accordance with section 64(6) of the Legal Profession Act 1976, are:

• Motion on Kelantan Orang Asli land and resources claims, and indigenous peoples’ rights.
• Motion regarding deaths in police custody and police brutality.
• Motion for the prosecution of police officers who killed and/or “cover-up’ crimes of fellow police in torture and death in custody cases.
• Motion for the repeal of POCA (Prevention of Crime Act) and all detention without trial laws, and provision for compensation for deprivation of liberty of the innocent.
• Motion against Siti Zabedah Kassim.
• Motion against serving alcohol on all Malaysian Bar functions.

Amir’s motion followed a similar one last year, when he proposed that alcohol be banned from Kuala Lumpur Bar events.

That motion was roundly defeated with 588 lawyers voting against, nine in favour with 16 abstentions.

The motion for tomorrow, sighted by The Malaysian Insight, called on “every Muslim, faithful, and devout lawyers” to back it.

“That each and every Muslim, faithful, and devout lawyers who have the Shahadah in their hearts, and are the people of the Book, if not incapacitated Shariah-wise, and are the people of the Book, know that on judgement day and the apocalypse, will be questioned on their role in ensuring this motion is passed on Saturday, March 17, 2018,” the motion, which was signed by 25 lawyers, read.

“With the Shahadah, it is hereby decided and made mandatory that the Malaysian Bar with all its powers as enshrined in the Legal Profession Act 1976, forbids all elements of the filth that is liquor, and all drinks and food that contain alcohol, or intoxicants, in all events organised by the Malaysian Bar and bodies that fall under its jurisdiction with immediate effect.”

Amir, who is based in Selangor, also proposed six other motions to be debated tomorrow calling Bar to condemn the conduct of six of his fellow lawyers, including two lawyers whom he was seeking an apology from in connection with comments made regarding his motion last year.

A former Malaysian Bar president, incumbent Bar Council members and a state Bar Committee chairman were cited, according to FMT.

In a letter to FMT today, lawyer Gerard Lourdesamy sarcastically wrote that Amir should have submitted more motions. – March 16, 2018.