Chairman Message 1

WARMEST GREETING AND ASSALAMUALAIKUM.

LET ME BEGIN BY EXTENDING MY WARMEST WELCOME TO THE RECENTLY ELECTED SUB-COMMITTEE MEMBERS OF THE PERAK BAR. I ALSO WANT TO RECOGNISE AND THANK THE PAST CHAIRMAN AND THE SUB-COMMITTEE MEMBERS (SOME OF WHOM ARE EXTENDING THEIR INVALUABLE SERVICES WITH THE SUB-COMMITTEE) WHOM HAVE WORKED TIRELESSLY TO SERVE THE PERAK BAR.

I REALISE THAT NO INSTITUTION COULD FUNCTION WITHOUT ITS SUPPORTING PILLARS. THE INSTITUTION COULD HAVE THE MOST ADVANCE TECHNOLOGY IN THE WORLD BUT WITHOUT THE MEN AND WOMEN BEHIND THEM, HOW USEFUL ARE THEY?

THE SAME IS ALSO TRUE WITH THE PERAK BAR. I AM INFORMED THAT THE NON-PARTICIPATION FROM MEMBERS IS VERY GLARING WHEN THE EVER READY AND WILLING MEMBERS HAVE AGAIN AND AGAIN SLOGGED IT OUT THESE PAST YEARS. I SAY THAT IT IS TIME FOR US “TO PULL UP OUR SOCKS” TOGETHER AND THAT IT IS TIME FOR US TO EMBRACE, SUPPORT, CONTRIBUTE AND BE INVOLVED WITH THE PERAK BAR ACTIVITIES AND NEEDS.

I AM MINDED WITH THE WORDS OF LAO TZU ABOUT LEADERSHIP, “GO TO THE PEOPLE. LEARN FROM THEM, LIVE WITH THEM, START WITH WHAT THEY KNOW, BUILD WITH WHAT THEY HAVE……”.

IT IS WITH THIS CONVICTION AND ASSERTION THIS SUB-COMMITTEE SHALL ENDEAVOUR TO REACH OUT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE PERAK BAR, TO HEAR YOU, TO UNDERSTAND YOU AND TO SERVE YOU BETTER. AND TOWARDS THIS END, I RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT, ALL FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE PERAK BAR.

THANK YOU AND WASSALAM.

HAJI MAD DIAH BIN ENDUT

CHAIRMAN OF THE PERAK BAR 2010/2011

IN THE DRIVING SEAT: MY LAST REPORT

Before I get to my report, I would like to thank the members of the Perak Bar for the confidence that they had in me and allowing me to serve as Chairman of the Perak Bar Committee for a second term.

At the very first meeting, the Perak Bar committee had set out goals for the term. Foremost amongst those goals was to ensure that the issues regarding the practice of law in Perak will be dealt with. I am proud to say that the members of the Courts Sub-committee had met several times and identified the issues raised by members. After identifying issues that were the most troubling, the sub-committee had then arranged to meet with the key personnel within our court system. We have had meetings with the Courts to inform them of our problems and to try and assist them to ensure that these problems are remedied. Most of the issues that were raised in the lower courts were dealt with.

On behalf of the Perak Bar Committee and the Bar Council respectively, Madam Asbir and I had met with the Chief Justice of Malaya to highlight the issues and problems that we were facing here in Perak.

As most of you know, we have now entered an era of change. As such, the Court systems in Perak have undergone a revamp in order to make it more streamlined and efficient. The Perak Bar Committee has had various meetings with the Managing Judge before the system was implemented and after the system was implemented in order to inform him and his team of improvements that should be done. These meetings have been cordial and I hope that the improvements that have been suggested will come into being.

The various Practice sub committees have been working hard. We have all been made aware of the changes and issues pertaining to the Conveyancing Practice. I am informed that various meetings were held with the PTG and the LHDN to resolve issues that have cropped up. The ADR Sub- committee had organized a Mediation course which was well attended. I wish to thank the Chairpersons and the members of the various practice Sub-committees for all their hard work and efforts.

I wish to thank the Chairman of the Chambering Students Sub-committee for all his hard work in ensuring that the welfare of the chambering students are taken care of.

On the social side, we have organized several social functions, however response was so bad that we had to cancel one of the events. I am pleased to say that I have been informed that the Annual Dinner was a resounding success and the members and guests who attended the Dinner had enjoyed themselves. I wish to thank the Social Sub Committee for all the hard work that was undertaken to ensure the dinner was a success.

In Sports, this year we travelled to Penang for the Annual Perak-Penang Games. The Sports Sub-Committee has reported that the games were well attended. I wish to thank the Chairman and the members of the Sports Sub-Committee for all the hard work in organizing the T- Shirts and ground arrangements for the participants.

The Chairman of the IT sub-committee had done a fantastic job of ensuring that the Perak Bar is informed of all the current events and issues. I hope that members will continue to give their support by handing articles and other works to the IT sub-committee, so that they can be placed on the Blog.

I must thank Ms. Hema and En. Danial for all their hard work in ensuring the Perak Bar Committee secretariat and our finances are in order. They have done a marvelous job.

On a final note, I would wish that members of the Perak Bar would truly appreciate the hard work that the Committee has put in over the years. I also hope that the members of the Perak Bar will take more time to be of assistance to the Perak Bar as a whole by placing their complaints in writing in order that the Perak Bar Committee will be able to deal with the problems that these members face. This will enable the committee in the future, to show you the members, that they have been hard at work to deal with the problems that you the members have encountered.

I also hope that the members of the Perak Bar will also assist in joining the sub-committees in order to help the other members of the Perak bar by devoting their time and effort for the greater good of all.

With that, I wish thank you for your kind support over the last year and trust you will continue to support the incoming Perak Bar Committee with the same support that you have given to me and the members of the Perak Bar Committee over the last year.

Shan Theivanthiran.

Chairman, Perak Bar Committee 2009-2010.

IN THE DRIVING SEAT

It been a while since I have written a report to the members of the Perak Bar. For this I must apologise for not doing so, as it has been a hectic few months.

Getting into it, as most of you would know we have been facing problems with both the High Court and the Lower Courts with regards to administration of files and the day to day management of the same.

So far I am happy to report that after lots of hard work by the members of the Courts Sub-committee who have been liaising with the Hakim Kanan Mahkamah Sesyen and her team, most of the problems that were being faced by the members of the Bar, as well as the members of the public, has been sorted out. This includes the problems that many members were facing with the enforcement files. There will be a new system in place and information as to that system will be sent out via this Blog soon. I wish to place on record our sincere thanks to Puan Rasidah Binti Chik and her team for their tireless efforts resolving the problems there were present and the patience in hearing our views.

We are still trying to assist in resolving the problems with the High Court however our efforts have been met with resistance. The Main committee has decided to step up our efforts to ensure that our views are heard and this is being done at the moment. As such if you do have any problems with the management of files as well as the any other problems pertaining to the High Court Registry please do drop us a note so that we can assist you in having it resolved.

I am also happy to report that we have the use of the High Court Bar Room. Most of you would have heard that due to a shortage of space, the said Bar room was nearly taken back by the High Court Management. However, through the steps and the efforts taken by the Courts Sub-Committee , we have managed to retain the said bar room for the use of the Members of the Bar. We have also taken steps to improve the ventilation to make it more comfortable.

I must thank the members of the Courts Sub Committee for all their hard work and effort.

On the social side, the Social Sub-committee and its Chair Mr. Stephen Su has put great effort in organizing events for the benefit of the members of the Perak Bar. As you know from the circular that has been sent to each member, the said efforts have not been appreciated as the support for the events organized has been abysmal to say the least. I Hope that the members of the Perak Bar will support all the forthcoming events that are going to be organized by Mr. Stephen and his Sub- Committee including the Annual Dinner. PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SOCIAL EVENTS.

On the sports front, the Penang Perak Bar Games has just been completed. The report on the same has been posted on the Blog. I wish to thank the Sport Sub-Committee for all the effort put in. Once again I wish to remind members that the success of any event organized depends solely on you as members of the Perak Bar, as only your support can prove the success of that event.

We have also organized talks on issues of Law over the last few months, most of them have been very well received. We hope to organize more. If you have any particular subjects you wish to have talks or discussions to be organized on, please get in touch with Mr. Rashpal and I am sure that he will be glad to assist.

Legal Aid is doing well. As most of you know our legal aid center is now located in our Perak Bar secretariat. We will be commencing renovations to better facilitate the Legal aid center and afford our secretariat staff more privacy. Legal Aid can always do with more assistance. So please help by volunteering your time and effort to the center, so that we can meet the demands of providing legal aid to needy members of the Public.

As you have notice the Blog is doing well. Please do contribute more articles to Mr.Gavin Tang for the Blog. Also for your information I am informed that the lower court cause list will soon be available on the Blog in the coming few months.

As you can see it has been a very eventful few months, and I thank all of you who have contributed to the Perak Bar in some manner or rather. Please continue to do so.

Thank you.

Shan Theivanthiran

Chairman of the Perak Bar

IN THE DRIVING SEAT

Greetings!

July is upon us, how time flies.

Before I proceed I would like to thank Gavin Tang for the hard work that he has put in for the setting up and maintenance of this Blog. I must say that I am glad that the Perak Bar has now a means of disseminating information faster and better for the benefit of its members. Well done Gavin.

By the way, I agree with Mr. Tang Khai Kit (not to be confused with Gavin) that the wan ton mee at the place he recommended is particularly good and deserves numerous visits.

I would like to thank Lai Choe Ken and his team who put together the Family Day outing at the Sunway’s Lost World Theme Park on the 21^st of June 2008. I would also here like to place on record my thanks to those who turned up to participate in the event, thank you for participating and let all of us get to know you and your family members better. I trust that you, like me, had a great time.

The Perak – Penang Bar games are at hand. From the circulars that you have read, the program for the weekend of 19^th and 20^th July 2008 has been planned to suit the members who are participating in the various events that will take place. The highlights of the games will include the games itself, the dinner on the 19^th July and the Tea party on the 20^th of July. I trust that the members will be present to attend the games and the ensuing events, especially the Dinner and the Tea Party to make the event more enjoyable and to make sure that we show our friends from the Penang Bar a great time and great hospitality as they have shown us in Penang on previous occasions. I believe that this task must carried out with our utmost and best efforts, as such the Perak Bar Committee has decided that there will be no charge for the dinner. However, the Committee requests that the members inform the secretariat as to your attendance in order to facilitate the catering requirements.

As such I implore and request all the members of the Perak Bar to be present and participate at the games and the ensuing events and to have a good time after all, “we are the Perak Bar!”

Numerous members of the Perak Bar including myself have pledged to donate money and various items of food and drink to ensure that the events are well received and that everyone has a good time. Should anyone else wish to make a contribution, I assure you that it will be thankfully received and faithfully applied.

On a more serious note, I wish to inform you that the Legal Aid and Human Rights Sub Committee in their pursuit of assisting the Orang Asli have made tremendous progress in their efforts. I wish to record my thanks to all those concerned who have assisted in particular Mr. Augustine and Mr. Ram for the tireless effort that they have put it over time to get to where we are now in order to assist the Orang Asli. BRAVO!

Should you want to find our more and see if you can assist the Legal Aid and Human Rights Sub- Committee please contact Mr. Ram at Legal Aid Center.

I also wish to inform you that the Bar Council pursuant to the Chief Registrar’s circular, has arranged to speak to the CR and the Auditor General to pursue an amicable solution to the issue of modes of payments at the Court Counters. I wish to thank the members who have called me personally to express their dissatisfaction of the changes that are being proposed.

I wish to urge any member who has an issue which needs to be resolved or even suggestions pertaining to our administration of the Perak Bar, to please write to me personally or to the Secretary of the Perak Bar. Your views are important to us in order for us to serve you better.

Once again I thank you for your support and hope to see all of you at the Perak-Penang Bar Games on the 19^th of July !

“ WE ARE THE PERAK BAR!!”

IN THE DRIVING SEAT

Greetings!

First of all I wish to place on record, my thanks to all the members of the Perak Bar for allowing me to serve as the Chairman for the Perak Bar for the ensuing year. As such, in return for this honour that you have bestowed me, I pledge that I will do my utmost to ensure that the interests of the members of the Perak Bar will be taken care off.

I must state that, this year, the committee that you have elected is a committee made up of capable members, some of whom have served on the committee before and some who are now part of the committee for the first time. I am assured by the great enthusiasm they have shown, in the manner that they have gone about in discharging their duties so far, that they will discharge their duties well for the benefit of the members of the Perak Bar.

Over the last four months that this Committee has been office, the State of Perak and the members of the Perak Bar have seen changes that one would never have imagined. Firstly, an opposition state assembly. Secondly, an opposition state assembly which contains a large number of members of the Perak Bar. Thirdly, a State EXCO which is made up of not less than 4 lawyers (former lawyers due to their present positions). We live in exciting times indeed! As such this Perak Bar Committee is doing all that is necessary to tap this opportunity that has been given, by giving the present State Assembly all the support that it requires in order to address the issues that the State and we as members of the Perak Bar face in our everyday legal careers. We hope this offer will be taken up by the State assembly.

On a more solemn note, I wish to thank Cik Dara Waheda for all the hard work and effort that she has put into her tasks for the Committee and for the members of the Perak Bar. Cik Dara Waheda, for your information, has decided for her own personal reasons, to resign from the State Bar Committee. I personally, wish her well in her future undertakings and hope that she will find it in herself to assist us in our future undertakings for the good of the Perak Bar.

As you have seen, from the circulars, the Perak Bar Committee has decided to co-opt Pn Nur Ashikin Binti Abdul Rahman who will now be in charge of Conveyancing.

On a lighter note, The Perak Bar Committee has also lined up a few social events, such as a family outing to the Sunway Lost World Theme Park on the 21^st of June 2007. I am verily informed that there will be other such events organised in the future.

I am also informed that the Perak- Penang Bar Games are on schedule and unfortunately as some of you may have been informed the games will NOT be held in Cameron Highlands but in Ipoh. Unfortunately we were not able to cater for venues for certain games in Cameron Highlands and other logistical issues which we could not compromise on.

I also wish to state that the Perak Bar Committee can only organize these events, the success of these events will depend wholly on the support and participation of the members of the Perak Bar. As such I humbly urge each and every one of you to please take an active role and join these events in order to make it a success.

I do hope, if all goes well, I will be able to make a monthly contribution to update the members of the Perak Bar as to the goings on of the Committee.

Thank you.

Shan Theivanthiran.