Media Statement by C4 | Proposed Amendments to the Legal Profession Act an Act of Cowardice
Wednesday, 01 June 2016 03:57pm
The Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center) deplores the Malaysian government’s attempt to amend the Legal Professions Act in what appears to be a move to further stifle critical voices. We further view this as act of total cowardice.
The government’s proposal to appoint two leading members of the Malaysian Bar is a clear display of its attempt to infiltrate into independent institutions and subsequently, uproot their impartiality.
The suggested move of raising the general meeting's quota from 500 members to 4,000 members appears to be one that makes general meetings largely impossible, while the abolishment of postal ballots threatens to weaken the collective voice of members in elections.
Furthermore, disallowing current office bearers from re-contesting for any position is a drastic restraint placed on critical leaders.
These proposed repressive amendments are noticeably measures to wipe out a strong, independent voice, which has been serving as a societal watchdog as well as an important check and balance within Malaysian society.
This not only muzzles yet another independent institution in our society but consequently, creates a larger space for corruption within our already corrupt society.
With the lack of critical and independent voices, the government’s subpar management and underhanded tactics will further go largely unnoticed by the public,thus providing government officials a larger capacity for corruption. It has been clear to see that the closing in on civic space is a direct consequence of protecting the corrupt.
With the current state Malaysia is in, we need independent institutions to function without interference in order to protect our democratic sanctity as well as our nation’s wellbeing.
Instead, the Malaysian government is desperately centralising power, which is a breach of 30 million citizens’ democratic right.
Thus, we call urge the proposed amendments to the Legal Profession Act be dropped at once.
Released By
Cynthia Gabriel
Executive Director
1 June 2016
Wednesday, 01 June 2016 03:57pm
The Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center) deplores the Malaysian government’s attempt to amend the Legal Professions Act in what appears to be a move to further stifle critical voices. We further view this as act of total cowardice.
The government’s proposal to appoint two leading members of the Malaysian Bar is a clear display of its attempt to infiltrate into independent institutions and subsequently, uproot their impartiality.
The suggested move of raising the general meeting's quota from 500 members to 4,000 members appears to be one that makes general meetings largely impossible, while the abolishment of postal ballots threatens to weaken the collective voice of members in elections.
Furthermore, disallowing current office bearers from re-contesting for any position is a drastic restraint placed on critical leaders.
These proposed repressive amendments are noticeably measures to wipe out a strong, independent voice, which has been serving as a societal watchdog as well as an important check and balance within Malaysian society.
This not only muzzles yet another independent institution in our society but consequently, creates a larger space for corruption within our already corrupt society.
With the lack of critical and independent voices, the government’s subpar management and underhanded tactics will further go largely unnoticed by the public,thus providing government officials a larger capacity for corruption. It has been clear to see that the closing in on civic space is a direct consequence of protecting the corrupt.
With the current state Malaysia is in, we need independent institutions to function without interference in order to protect our democratic sanctity as well as our nation’s wellbeing.
Instead, the Malaysian government is desperately centralising power, which is a breach of 30 million citizens’ democratic right.
Thus, we call urge the proposed amendments to the Legal Profession Act be dropped at once.
Released By
Cynthia Gabriel
Executive Director
1 June 2016
