SMILE! ITS A BEAUTIFUL DAY!

OVERVIEW OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Date: 20 February 2009

Venue: High Court No.1

Quorum: 5% of all members

Attendees: 137

This being my first time attending the Annual General Meeting (AGM) it was interesting to see how the meeting was conducted and what it entailed. The AGM as a whole was well-structured; this was to enable discussions about various issues to be aired in an orderly manner.

Firstly, the Perak Bar Chairman mentions quorum in order to ascertain that there are enough members to proceed with the AGM. This was certainly not a problem on this day as there were sufficient numbers. Then, we had to observe a minute of silence as a gesture to honour those Perak Bar members that had passed away. I personally feel that this is indeed a tradition worth keeping; it instills a sense of respect and gratitude in the hearts of the remaining. After that, we moved on with the agenda, the various reports by the Chairman and committee members and also accounts. This is to ensure that any ambiguities are clarified and mistakes rectified. I observed that quite a number of questions were posed to the Chairman, which was ably handled by him. It was enlightening to see that members of the Bar were passionate about many issues. Furthermore, it clearly highlights that we, the Perak Bar, are certainly not lacking in the department of inquisitive and analytical minds. An example of pertinent issues that were discussed:

Discrepancy between 2007 and 2008 accounts for Perak-Penang Bar games;

Whether the building – lower court room - remained a liability and the question of whether it is a fixed asset;

Depreciation;

Legal aid disbursements; and

Library allocation.

At one point there was also a slightly heated debate as to unpaid annual dinner bills by certain members of the Perak Bar. One of the proposals was to compile a defaulters list, which would be printed in the next annual report. It is interesting to note that many members of the Bar supported this idea. If I am not mistaken, this proposal has been adopted and should thus be implemented. I suppose the name of the game is shame. Another intriguing proposal was this: to simply deny entry to those who turned up on the night itself unless payment was made there and then. However, there lies the question of whether those manning the registration table would have the heart to turn ‘gatecrashers’ away. After all the latter are fellow colleagues, who presumably are dressed to the nines on that special occasion. Would anyone have it in them to say no?

There were also open nominations for the position of Chairman and election of committee members. For those of you who might not know already, I am proud to announce that Mr Shan Theivanthiran remains as Chairman of the Perak Bar Committee for the year 2009/2010. Also, many committee members from the previous year have remained for this new year. In addition, there is a new committee member, namely Mr Stephen Su. I would like to congratulate those who have been appointed and wish them all the best in their endeavours.

Lastly, Mr Ngan raised the matter about the current Professional Standards and Ethics Course, which includes an Ethics lecture programme and a written examination at the end. Pupils must complete the course in full and pass the written examination. One of the issues that he voiced out was whether a paper-based examination is a sufficient tool in determining whether one is or is not ethical? He stressed upon the need for ethics to be learnt through experience. Therefore, it should be an ongoing process.

At this juncture may I be permitted to give my two cents’ worth? I am a pupil. Thus, I will have to sit for this examination as part of the requirements to be called to the bar. I have not sat for the examination. I will very soon. The little that I know about the examination is through word of mouth: other pupils’ experience. Apparently the examination is in an open book format, which means that we are permitted the use of the Ethics course materials. I have read the Ethics course materials and most of it seems readily understandable. Therefore, is it a simple case of regurgitation of information in the examination? Are there analytical skills involved? I will have to see. However, this I do know - it is of vital importance that lawyers are ethical in their line of work. We have a duty to uphold justice and as such should adhere to ethical standards. Therefore, there must be a starting point for lawyers to learn to be ethical in their profession. This bedrock or foundation is the Professional Standards and Ethics Course. Of course I can imagine that no one likes sitting for an examination. The nervousness and anxiety one goes through can wreak havoc to our minds. Often one of the complaints about this course is that it is too exam-oriented.

However, I still believe that we do need some sort of springboard upon which we can launch our young legal minds to embrace ethical issues. The course and examination will simply be a catalyst in this respect. At least pupils will be made aware early on of the role of ethics in the legal profession. We have to bear in mind that adhering to ethical standards will require time and determination. This is not a one-off lesson but a continuing and evolving process. The course is not the be all and end all of ethics. So is it time to abolish the current Professional Standards and Ethics Course? Not at this stage I think. However, much can be done to revamp this course e.g. improving and enhancing course content, focusing on real understanding rather than just a desire to pass an examination and possibly providing e-tutorials and mock assessments as additional support. This will be food for thought.

Submitted by Julia Tang

SMILE! ITS A BEAUTIFUL DAY!

Little Janice was not the best student in Sunday school. Usually she slept through class. One day the teacher called on her while she was napping, “Tell me Janice, who created the universe?” When Janice didn’t stir, little Johnny, a boy seated in the chair behind her, took a pin and jabbed her in the rear.
“God Almighty!” shouted Janice and the teacher said, “Very good” and Janice fell back asleep.
A while later the teacher asked Janice, “Who is our Lord and Saviour.” But, Janice didn’t even stir from her slumber. Once again, Johnny came to the rescue and stuck her again.
“Jesus Christ!” shouted Janice and the teacher said, “Very good,” and Janice fell back asleep.
Then the teacher asked Janice a third question. “What did Eve say to Adam after she had her twenty-third child?” and again, Johnny jabbed her with the pin.
This time Janice jumped up and shouted, “If you stick me with that thing one more time, I’ll break it in half and stick it up your ass!”
… the teacher fainted!

These are actual answers on a McDonald’s application submitted by a 17 year old kid someplace in Florida. They actually hired him too. I think this kid’s gonna go far…

NAME: Greg Bulmash.

SEX: Not yet. Still waiting for the right person.

DESIRED POSITION: Company’s President or Vice President. But seriously, whatever’s available. If I was in a position to be picky, I wouldn’t be applying here in the first place.

DESIRED SALARY: $185,000 a year plus stock options and a Michael Ovitz style severa

nce package. If that’s not possible, make an offer and we can haggle.

EDUCATION: Yes.

LAST POSITION HELD: Target for middle management hostility.

SALARY: Less than I’m worth.

MOST NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENT: My incredible collection of stolen pens and post-it notes.

REASON FOR LEAVING: It sucked.

HOURS AVAILABLE TO WORK: Any.

PREFERRED HOURS: 1:30-3:30 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL SKILLS?: Yes, but they’re better suited to a more intimate environment.

MAY WE CONTACT YOUR CURRENT EMPLOYER?: If I had one, would I be here?

DO YOU HAVE ANY PHYSICAL CONDITIONS THAT WOULD PROHIBIT YOU FROM LIFTING UP TO 50 LBS?: Of what?

DO YOU HAVE A CAR?: I think the more appropriate question here would be “Do you have a car that runs?”

HAVE YOU RECEIVED ANY SPECIAL AWARDS OR RECOGNITION?: I may already be a winner of the Publishers Clearing house Sweepstakes.

DO YOU SMOKE?: On the job no, on my breaks yes.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE DOING IN FIVE YEARS?: Living in the Bahamas with a fabulously wealthy dumb sexy blonde super model who thinks I’m the greatest thing since sliced bread. Actually, I’d like to be doing that now.

DO YOU CERTIFY THAT THE ABOVE IS TRUE AND COMPLETE TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE?: Yes. Absolutely.

SIGN HERE: Aries.

CHAMBERING STUDENTS AND PERAK YOUNG LAWYERS COMMITTEE REPORT

Chairman: Mr. Surindar singh

Members: Mr. Gavin Tang Cheng Leong

Mr. Kenny Lai Cheo Ken

Ms. Thiru Mangai Krishnan.

Young Lawyers

The Perak Bar Young Lawyers (PBYL) did not participate in most of activities due to lack of commitment from young lawyers to join the committee and organize events. The young lawyers are too busy to find time to join the committee or maybe they are kept very busy by their boses to find time.

I would like to call upon young lawyers to show some interest in the Perak Bar activities and try to take some time out and participate in our activities. I hope this year the young lawyers will give their full cooperation and join the PBYL and its activities.

Chambering Students

The Chambering students sub committee assisted most of the chambering students with their call papers. Most of the chambering students are still not aware as how to fill up the forms and how to go about filing them. Having said that there were no real problems in getting called to the bar. However a High Court Judge did enquire as to why the Short Call papers are served on the Attorney Generals office eventhough there is no provision for it in the Legal Profession Act. The Short answer was that we have been doing it since time memorial. We are in the midst of checking with the Attorney General’s office whether this can be dispensed with.

The Ethics course has changed dramatically since 1997 and most of the chambering students are having problems grasping the same. The course material has also grown in size. I would suggest that the chambering students should get their course material from the Perak Bar as soon as possible and start reading them well before the exam.

I wish all those students who were called to the bar during my tenure as chairman, all the best in their legal professional career and may they live up to the expectations of the profession.

Surindar Singh

SPORTS SUB-COMMITTEE REPORT

Chairman : Kenny Lai Choe Ken

Members : Janet Wong Siang Ping

Purshotam Das Nathermal (Kiko)

Jagjit Singh

Sakthivel

Stephen Su Keong Siew

Amy Zairy

Chong Kok Yew

Ruzita Binti Sarbani

Nathan Krishnan

Dalgit Singh

Fey Aqis

The Annual Perak-Penang Bar Games was held in Ipoh this year with full participation from both sides. The games started off brightly for the Perak Contingent as the Tennis team beat their Penang Counterparts thoroughly. Unfortunately the afternoon sessions and the rest of the games were marred by a loss of a friend.

Sadly, what was to be a weekend of sports, fellowship and revelry turned into one of mourning at the loss of a much loved and popular member of the Perak Bar. At around 3pm on Saturday 19th July, Mr Thinakaran s/o Prabakharan (of Lalchand & Nawawi) or Thina as he was popularly referred to collapsed while playing futsal.

The rest of the games were declared non-competitive and no result was announced as a token of respect for our fallen comrade.

The Sports Committee would like to take the opportunity to extend our deepest condolences at the loss of our brother at law and wish to thank him for his years of participation and camaraderie. Thina would be truly missed. Rest in peace.

The sports committee would also like to thank all the convenors and participants in the said event and hope that they would continue to support the games in time to come.

Kenny Lai Choe Ken

Sports Sub Committee Chairman 2008/2009

SOCIAL SUB-COMMITTEE REPORT

Chairman : Kenny Lai Choe Ken

Members : Janet Wong Siang Ping

Lily Shazreena

Balakrishna a/l Ravi@Balaravi

Hemalatha a/p Parasa Ramulu

Jayanthi Diana a/p Ganapathy

Navit Kaur Randhawa

Thiru Mangai Krishnan

Zaireen Zainal

Gavin Tang Cheng Loong

Ng Keem Ming

Sarah Tan Siew Yung

This was a busy year for the Social sub committee. There were many activities planned and many ideas were thrown into the hat for consideration. The social sub committee of 2008/2009 started off the year with the organizing of a visit to Sunway Tambun Lost World for the families of our members. The event was a great success and the families of those who went surely enjoyed themselves.

This was followed by the our Annual Dinner which had our first ever Awards night! The night was a resounding success; albeit slightly marred by the subdued performance from our guest entertainer Mr. Mano Maniam. The night was also enlivened by the performance from the Gabungan Orang Asli complete with their traditional costumes and head gear which was a first for many of the members that night.

The committee has initially penciled in a treasure hunt and white water rafting for the year but as time did not permit us to do so, the committee had decided to postpone it to the next year.

I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere and heartfelt gratitude to my committee members for sacrificing their time and effort in ensuring that any and all activities organized were a success. I would also like to stress that the efforts of the sub committee should be applauded as organizing activities for the rest of the member s of the Perak Bar is NOT as easy as it looks. It is the fervent wish that the members of the Perak Bar take part in the activities organized so as to ensure that the sacrifices of your fellow members of the Bar are not wasted.

The Committee would also like to extend their gratitude to Mr. Gookolaram of the Legal Aid Bureau for helping us organize the Orang Asli performers for the Annual Dinner.

Kenny Lai Choe Ken

Social Sub Committee Chairman 2008/2009

REPORT OF THE IT SUB-COMMITTEE

Chairman: Gavin Tang
Committee Members: Navit Kaur


After what seemed like an eternity. We were pleased to announce to the Perak Bar that the Perak Bar Blog was up and running to deliver announcements, news, circulars, articles and updates on the law to our members. We are very grateful to all those who helped contribute to the blog in one way or another either by writing an article, posting their comments, making suggestions and also taking pictures so that they could be uploaded on the blog. As we have stated, the blog is meant to be an interim measure whilst we look into the feasibility and cost of running our own website. Meanwhile, we need all members of the Perak Bar to support the blog by either writing or contributing articles to us, contacting Gavin the IT Chair to offer your assistance in becoming one of our web reporters and also simply by bookmarking the blog on your browser and signing up for our updates so that all new postings on the blog can be sent via e-mail to you. For those who have not heard of the blog (maybe you were lost in the jungles of Borneo), please visit the blog at http://perakbar.blogspot.com/

Plans are already underfoot to send all circulars and notices to Perak Bar members electronically so as to reduce the usage of paper and to minimize costs. Therefore, all members are urged to quickly register your e-mail address with the Secretariat so that you do not miss out on any circulars or notices in the future. Our drive for paperless communications will begin in 2009 at a date which will be communicated to everyone.