THE CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

Before I proceed I would first like to thank the members of the Perak Bar for all their energy and support over the last 12 months. Without your support the Perak Bar Committee, of whom you have elected would not be able to achieve what it has over the last 12 months.

The last 12 months has seen change within the Country and also within our fair State. That change seems to be on going even as I am writing this report.

With regards to our profession, we have had a new Chief Justice, the President of the Court of Appeal and Chief Judge of Malaya being appointed. From the onset there were problems that CJ had to face, however, from the steps that the CJ and his team have taken over the last few months, it seems in my mind, are good.

From the meetings that the Bar Council has had with the Chief Justice, the President of the Court of Appeal and the Chief Judge of Malaya. These meetings have been fruitful. There have been far reaching suggestions and plans that have been put forward by all parties.

I am of the opinion that these plans and suggestions are for the benefit of the legal profession as whole. Once these plans are implemented and are fully operational, they will make our Court system a lot more efficient. However, like every system it will take a bit of time to implement and will have teething problems.

More, importantly, suggestions such as the issue of staffing of officer which were put forward to the CJ and his team have been well received had have been implemented almost immediately. Vacancies have been filled, the needs of the State Bar have also been met wherever possible.

In Perak, in particular, we have seen changes. This year we saw, Y. A. Dato’ Kadir, Y.A. Dato’ Idris, Y.A Dato’ V.T. Singham and Y.A. Dato’ Zakaria being transferred out of Perak to new posts around West Malaysia. The Perak Bar wishes to place on record our thanks to all these Judges for the services that they have rendered, and wish them every success in their future undertakings.

Y.A. Dato’ Zainal Adzam bin Abd.Ghani, Y.A. Dato’ Wan Afrah bt. Dato' Paduka Wan Ibrahim, Y.A. Dr. Haji Hassan bin Ab. Rahman and Y.A Tuan Tarmizi bin Abd Rahman have been posted to Perak. The Perak Bar wishes to welcome them and hope that they will have a pleasant stay in Perak while they undertake their duties.

As most of the members will know, the Ipoh High Court Registry is undergoing a serious change. We are reliably informed that the system will be fully operational by March this year and will be more efficient and beneficial to all the stakeholders of the system.

We have had various meeting with the Lower Court Judges. The problems that we are facing have been brought to their attention. Puan Rasidah the newly appointed Hakim Kanan Mahkamah Sesyen, has informed us that the problems will dealt with very soon.

Further, at the end of last year we received a notice from the Courts that the Perak Bar would have to give up the Lower Court Bar room. As such, the Committee called for an EGM in order to explain to the members what the issues at hand were. I would like to thank Mr. S.Y. Lee, our past Chairman and Mr. N. Selvarajah, who stood up and explained to everyone present that agreement between the Courts and the Perak Bar had achieved before the said building was erected. It was then decided that the Perak Bar had to return the said building.

For the information of the members, the Bar Room available to us is now situated in the High court premises and as a temporary measure, the Legal Aid center is placed in our secretariat.

As far as social events were concerned, there was a family day that was organized at the “Lost World of Tambun” at Sunway Tambun. The event was patronized by some of our members.

Our Annual dinner was held in the Impiana Casuarina Hotel. The turn out from the members was encouraging. The Event was graced with the presence of Y.A.Dato’ Zainal and Y.A. Dato’ Wan and their respective spouses.

On a more serious note, I wish to acknowledge the good work done by the Perak Bar Legal Aid center and the members that have contributed to it. Special mention must be made of Mr. Augustine Antony and Mr. Ram, for their tireless effort in spearheading the cause of the Orang Asli, which had finally been acknowledged this year. Well done.

I must also thank Mr. Gavin Tang for his single minded determination in setting up and administrating the “Perak Bar Blog”. It has truly been an achievement to finally have it set up and running so well. At this stage I would strongly encourage all the members of the Perak Bar to contribute articles and opinions that they have in order to make the Blog more enjoyable for everyone.

I wish to also place on record my thanks, for the contributions of each of the members of the Perak Bar Committee, who have each run their various portfolio diligently and for the encouragement and support that have shown the members of the Perak Bar and to me in particular.

I wish to thank Madam Asbir, for her support and counsel in the Perak Bar Committee’s and my time of need.

Finally to members of the Perak Bar. I wish to thank you for your support and understanding.

Shan Theivanthiran