Bar Council president Christopher Leong's criticism of the sodomy conviction against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim last week has left a sour note among several Bar members.
Questions have been raised on how Leong, as Bar president, could have misrepresented the law and case facts when he questioned why Mohd Saiful, as the complainant in the sodomy case, was not charged with abetment.
Below is the full statement from the lawyers:
Call for Resignation and Censure of the President of the Malaysian Bar for Misleading the Public – Lukman Sheriff Alias and Azril Mohd Amin
The first thing that came to mind when we read the press release of the Malaysian Bar issued on February 11th, 2015, by its President, Christopher Leong on Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s conviction, was the President misrepresenting the law and facts on the case. We were in utter disbelief on how a President who is supposed to represent the learned members of the Bar could have arrived at such misleading position. Indeed, as Leong himself put it, “it is a strange world that we live in.”
Any lay person who has read the relevant Penal Code provisions and the press summary of the judgment would surely have concluded that there can be no interpretation under Sections 377A and 377B of the Code other than the position of Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan as a victim and nothing other than that.
Contrary to popular belief, sections 377A and 377B, strictly speaking, do not make being a homosexual or even engaging in a homosexual relationship per se an offence; rather, it makes it a crime for a man to insert his manhood into the anus of another, be the person a man or woman, young or old, with or without consent. A call to charge a victim of a sexual crime, with or without consent, for abetting in a crime where he or she is a victim, such as suggested by the President of the Malaysian Bar, is simply preposterous to say the least, and would set an extremely dangerous precedent for all sex crimes. Leong should have known that this is not a tenable position in law. Yet he issued the following misleading statement:
"This has also given rise to questions or concerns as to why the complainant, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, who was alleged to have been a participant in the act of sodomy, was not charged for abetment under sections 377A and 377B, read together with section 109, of the Penal Code."
One would have thought that it is the duty of the Malaysian Bar to clarify such misconceptions whenever they occur in the public sphere. While judgments handed down by the court of law should and have always been open to debate, the Bar must also be mindful of its duty to protect the judiciary against unfair and scurrilous attacks. In fact, Section 42 of the Legal Profession Act 1976 specifically spells out that one of the objects of the Malaysian Bar is to protect “the administration of justice in Malaysia from being brought into hatred or contempt.”
Instead of abiding by its statutory duty, the president of the Malaysian Bar had instead chose to give credence to such misconceptions, and worst still, participate in their spread, thus contributing to the tainting of the judiciary. In such circumstances, not only is the Bar in dereliction of its duty to defend the judiciary, but the Bar had also embarrassed the courts, by putting the whole case under an erroneous, misconstrued and misconceived contextual light, and by fueling the "perception that Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been persecuted, and not prosecuted."
It is pertinent to point out that the Bar has also failed to highlight that there are hundreds of other prior cases that were brought before the courts, where the accused were charged and tried pursuant to section 377B of the Penal Code. There was even a case initiated prior to Anwar’s conviction, (Abd Rahim bin Abd Rahaman v PP), where the court imposed a sentence of more than 5 years for a similar offence. Silence on these important facts on the part of the Bar created the impression of selective prosecution under the so-called provision that Leong has alleged to have been “rarely … used,” although the truth is that it is not at all rarely invoked.
Leong’s outrageous statement has clearly misled the public. Failing to explain and clarify the law and relevant facts is one thing, but to misrepresent them is another, which is simply appalling. As members of the Bar ourselves, we call upon him to rectify the misleading statement and tender a public apology as well as to clarify with all international bodies and entities, with which the image of our judiciary and its administration of justice has been tainted. Failing this, we call for his resignation and public censure as the President of the Malaysian Bar.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Lukman Sheriff Alias and Azril Mohd Amin are lawyers practising in Kuala Lumpur and members of the Bar.
**The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Astro AWANI.
Astro Awani
Wed Feb 18 2015
![Sodomy II: Lawyers slam Bar Council president for 'misrepresenting the law' Sodomy II: Lawyers slam Bar Council president for 'misrepresenting the law'](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2013-05/51369818077_295x200.jpg)
As Bar president, Leong (pic) is supposed to represent the learned members of the Bar and not misrepresent the law and case facts.
![Tokan dadah ditahan bersama dua pucuk pistol di Alor Setar Tokan dadah ditahan bersama dua pucuk pistol di Alor Setar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721123744_tokandadah.jpg)
Tokan dadah ditahan bersama dua pucuk pistol di Alor Setar
Polis menahan dua lelaki dan merampas dua pucuk pistol serta pelbagai jenis dadah dalam dua tangkapan di Taman Lam Foong, di Alor Setar.
![Tiada tempat selamat di Gaza, kata ketua PBB Tiada tempat selamat di Gaza, kata ketua PBB](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/51719354914_Destroyedbuildings.jpg)
Tiada tempat selamat di Gaza, kata ketua PBB
Beliau berkata tahap pertempuran dan kemusnahan yang melampau di Gaza tidak dapat difahami dan tidak boleh dimaafkan.
![Saya tidak fitnah Lim Guan Eng, cuma jelas tentang siasatan SPRM - Muhyiddin Saya tidak fitnah Lim Guan Eng, cuma jelas tentang siasatan SPRM - Muhyiddin](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721121786_MuhyiddinYassin.jpg)
Saya tidak fitnah Lim Guan Eng, cuma jelas tentang siasatan SPRM - Muhyiddin
Muhyiddin memberitahu bahawa beliau tidak memfitnah Lim Guan Eng berhubung isu pengecualian cukai terhadap Yayasan Albukhary.
![Saintis kesan gen bantu rawat kanser pankreas Saintis kesan gen bantu rawat kanser pankreas](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/81712376317_TujuanForensik.jpg)
Saintis kesan gen bantu rawat kanser pankreas
Gen HNF4A (Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4 Alpha) didapati akan berhenti berfungsi pada tubuh pesakit kanser pankreas.
Pantau Agenda Reformasi: Potensi dan cabaran percambahan e-Sukan di Malaysia
Pengerusi Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung (GPMS) Negeri Selangor
merangkap Timbalan Presiden Majlis Belia Negeri Selangor
E-Sukan mampu mencetak nama Malaysia di pentas dunia. Memahami potensi, kekangan dan peranan yang perlu dimainkan semua pihak dalam melahirkan lebih ramai pemain E-Sukan yang berjaya, seterusnya menyokong pembangunan industri E-Sukan negara.
SRG cipta sejarah pasukan Malaysia pertama juarai MSC MLBB 2024
merangkap Timbalan Presiden Majlis Belia Negeri Selangor
E-Sukan mampu mencetak nama Malaysia di pentas dunia. Memahami potensi, kekangan dan peranan yang perlu dimainkan semua pihak dalam melahirkan lebih ramai pemain E-Sukan yang berjaya, seterusnya menyokong pembangunan industri E-Sukan negara.
SRG cipta sejarah pasukan Malaysia pertama juarai MSC MLBB 2024
Jualan kereta di Malaysia diunjur cecah 765,000 unit
Persatuan Automotif Malaysia (MAA) melakukan semakan semula berkaitan sasaran jumlah keseluruhan industri (TIV) kepada 765,000 unit berbanding unjuran awal 740,000 unit untuk 2024. Semakan dibuat disokong oleh persekitaran ekonomi yang positif dan jumlah tempatan tertunggak yang masih berada pada tahap yang baik
Kementerian Digital cari kaedah kurangkan kos pelaksanaan sistem e-invois
Kerajaan sedang mencari kaedah mengurangkan kos pelaksanaan sistem e-invois untuk Perusahaan Kecil dan Sederhana (PKS) selepas sistem itu diwajibkan untuk semua perniagaan pada 1 Julai 2025
Perbelanjaan pengguna dijangka meningkat tahun ini
Perbelanjaan Pengguna Malaysia dijangka meningkat sepanjang tahun ini
dengan unjuran sebanyak RM904.6 bilion, ketika proses pemulihan ekonomi menunjukkan kemajuan pada ketika ini.
dengan unjuran sebanyak RM904.6 bilion, ketika proses pemulihan ekonomi menunjukkan kemajuan pada ketika ini.
![Suspek bunuh Nur Farah Kartini dibawa ke lokasi kejadian Suspek bunuh Nur Farah Kartini dibawa ke lokasi kejadian](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721123609_lokasi.jpg)
Suspek bunuh Nur Farah Kartini dibawa ke lokasi kejadian
Suspek kes pembunuhan Nur Farah Kartini Abdullah dibawa ke lokasi kejadian di ladang kelapa sawit di Kampung Sri Keledang, Hulu Bernam, Selangor.
Beberapa kementerian bincang perketat undang-undang - Fahmi
Penambahbaikan aspek perundangan akan diteliti kerajaan, termasuk mengadakan perbincangan dengan beberapa kementerian berkaitan dalam masa terdekat, bagi memperketatkan undang-undang berkaitan buli siber.
![PM Anwar rafak sembah tahniah ulang tahun keputeraan Sultan Brunei ke-78 PM Anwar rafak sembah tahniah ulang tahun keputeraan Sultan Brunei ke-78](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721028875_AnwarIbrahimSulta.jpg)
PM Anwar rafak sembah tahniah ulang tahun keputeraan Sultan Brunei ke-78
Anwar, menerusi hantaran sama juga menzahirkan harapan supaya hubungan dan kerjasama antara Malaysia dan Brunei akan terus diperkukuh.
![Kerajaan akan segerakan cadangan Akta Saraan Hakim Syarie - PM Anwar Kerajaan akan segerakan cadangan Akta Saraan Hakim Syarie - PM Anwar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721017508_anwaribrahim.jpg)
Kerajaan akan segerakan cadangan Akta Saraan Hakim Syarie - PM Anwar
Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim hari ini memberi komitmen bahawa kerajaan akan menyegerakan cadangan pelaksanaan Akta Saraan Hakim Syarie bagi memartabatkan status hakim Mahkamah Syariah di n
![Pindaan Akta 355: Harus lebih menyeluruh, perlu rujuk pandangan pakar antarabangsa - PM Anwar Pindaan Akta 355: Harus lebih menyeluruh, perlu rujuk pandangan pakar antarabangsa - PM Anwar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721017508_anwaribrahim.jpg)
Pindaan Akta 355: Harus lebih menyeluruh, perlu rujuk pandangan pakar antarabangsa - PM Anwar
Anwar berkata pindaan Akta 355 perlu lalui penelitian yang penuh7 dan harus juga merujuk pandangan pakar perundangan Islam antarabangsa.
![PM Anwar kecam cubaan bunuh Trump, serangan berterusan Israel di Gaza PM Anwar kecam cubaan bunuh Trump, serangan berterusan Israel di Gaza](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61720938687_DonaldTrump.jpg)
PM Anwar kecam cubaan bunuh Trump, serangan berterusan Israel di Gaza
Beliau berharap keadaan terkawal dan menegaskan keganasan bukanlah jawapannya, walaupun ada yang menentang tokoh politik berkenaan.
![SejaTi Madani: PM umum peruntukan RM31.7 juta untuk 317 tanah rancangan Felda SejaTi Madani: PM umum peruntukan RM31.7 juta untuk 317 tanah rancangan Felda](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41720933781_AnwarIbrahim.jpg)
SejaTi Madani: PM umum peruntukan RM31.7 juta untuk 317 tanah rancangan Felda
Perdana Menteri mahu semua pihak terlibat, termasuk jawatankuasa penduduk, jawatankuasa masjid, persatuan belia dan juga wanita.
![Penyasaran subsidi diesel: Anwar umum peruntukan tambahan RM100 juta kepada FELDA Penyasaran subsidi diesel: Anwar umum peruntukan tambahan RM100 juta kepada FELDA](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71720931596_AnwarIbrahim.jpg)
Penyasaran subsidi diesel: Anwar umum peruntukan tambahan RM100 juta kepada FELDA
Langkah itu diambil bagi memastikan pendapatan peneroka Felda tidak terkesan dengan penyasaran tersebut.
![NUTP sokong guru lemah, cuai dikecualikan kenaikan pangkat secara time-based NUTP sokong guru lemah, cuai dikecualikan kenaikan pangkat secara time-based](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81720853680_AMINUDDINAWANG.jpg)
NUTP sokong guru lemah, cuai dikecualikan kenaikan pangkat secara "time-based"
NUTP menyokong langkah kerajaan mengecualikan guru yang lemah, cuai dan melanggar disiplin daripada mendapat kenaikan pangkat secara "time-based".
![SSPA diumum dalam masa terdekat, antara terbaik pernah dilaksana - PM SSPA diumum dalam masa terdekat, antara terbaik pernah dilaksana - PM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81720860893_tbAnwarIbrahim.jpg)
SSPA diumum dalam masa terdekat, antara terbaik pernah dilaksana - PM
Sistem Saraan Perkhidmatan Awam (SSPA) yang bakal diumum dalam masa terdekat adalah antara yang terbaik pernah dilaksanakan oleh kerajaan, kata Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
![Guru cuai, langgar disiplin harus dikecualikan kenaikan pangkat secara 'time based' - Anwar Guru cuai, langgar disiplin harus dikecualikan kenaikan pangkat secara 'time based' - Anwar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51720853030_tbAnwarIbrahim.jpg)
Guru cuai, langgar disiplin harus dikecualikan kenaikan pangkat secara 'time based' - Anwar
Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim berkata guru yang cuai, langgar disiplin dan prestasi lemah harus dikecualikan daripada kemudahan kenaikan pangkat secara "time-based".
![Selain guru, tugas didik pelajar adalah tanggungjawab bersama - PM Anwar Selain guru, tugas didik pelajar adalah tanggungjawab bersama - PM Anwar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61720852162_tbAnwarIbrahim.jpg)
Selain guru, tugas didik pelajar adalah tanggungjawab bersama - PM Anwar
Tugas mendidik seseorang pelajar merupakan tanggungjawab bersama dan tidak seharusnya disandarkan sepenuhnya kepada guru, kata Perdana Menteri.