Kuala Lumpur Bar Committee demands
the immediate release of the 5 lawyers arrested on 7th May 2009
At about 11.30pm on 7th May 2009, 5 members of the Kuala Lumpur Bar were arrested by the Royal Malaysian Police Force at Brickfields Police Station.
All 5 lawyers are also members of the Bar Council Legal Aid Centre of Kuala Lumpur, which included the Chairperson and Secretary of the Legal Aid Centre.
15 people were arrested by the Police at the Brickfields Police Station, just before the arrest of the 5 lawyers.
The group of 15 were part of a larger group, holding a candlelight vigil, in response to the arrest and remand of Political Scientist, Wong Chin Huat since 6th May 2009.
The 5 lawyers, in their course of duty as Advocates & Solicitors and as members of the Legal Aid Centre, went to the aid of the 15 arrested people. They were arrested instead.
The arrest of the 5 lawyers who were merely discharging their duties, is an affront to the laws of the country and a lack of common courtesy on the part of the Police to respect the duties and obligations of Advocates & Solicitors.
The arrest of these lawyers also denies the 15 people their basic rights to be represented and advised by Counsel.
The Kuala Lumpur Bar Committee abhors the arrest of our members, and condemns the decision of the Police to arrest Advocates & Solicitors who were there to represent their clients.
The Kuala Lumpur Bar Committee demands the immediate release of the 5 lawyers.
Dated this 8th day of May 2009.
Anand Ponnudurai
Chairman
Kuala Lumpur Bar Committee