Bar Council Sebagai Gerakan Neutral?

Seorang teman penulis, Peguam, berasal dari Perak menghantar sms mengenai jemputan Bar Council untuk ke HKR esok. Dia sangat pelik dengan sikap BC yang kian aktif dalam politik kebelakangan ini. Bukan lah sesuatu yang terlalu pelik, kerana BC sudah sekian lama memang sudah nyata berpihak.

Tidak ada lagi istilah ‘neutral’ dalam BC. Semua sudah ambil keputusan untuk bersama Pakatan Rakyat. Siapapun yang menerajui BC, mereka sudah pun membuat ketetapan untuk bersama Anwar. Ini bukan soal ideologi atau apa, nampaknya banyak bantuan yang diberikan PKR – dalam bentuk kewangan kepada BC akan kekal untuk tempoh yang panjang. Di atas nama kerja ‘pemantauan’, BC dijangka mendapat peruntukan hampir puluhan ribu.

Kita pun tak tahu samada menyokong Anwar memang sudah menjadi salah satu ‘amanah’ BC kepada ahli. Kalau tengok pada peranan BC, memang tak ada klausa keperluan BC menjadi Grup Politik. Tapi sekarang ini, itulah tugas hakiki BC.

The purpose of the Malaysian Bar shall be -
(a) to uphold the cause of justice without regard to its own interests or that of its members, uninfluenced by fear or favour;
(b) to maintain and improve the standards of conduct and learning of the legal profession in Malaysia;
(c) to facilitate the acquisition of legal knowledge by members of the legal profession and others;
(d) where requested so to do, to express its view on matters affecting legislation and the administration and practice of the law in Malaysia;
(e) to represent, protect and assist members or of the legal profession in Malaysia and to promote in any proper manner the interests of the legal profession in Malaysia;
(f) to establish libraries and to acquire or rent premises to house the libraries and offices of the Malaysian Bar or amenities for the use of members either alone or in conjunction with any other body or society;
(g) to protect and assist the public in all matters touching ancillary or incidental to the law;
(h) to make provision for or assist in the promotion of a scheme whereby impecunious persons may be represented by advocates and solicitors;
(i) to award prizes and scholarships and to establish and subsidise lecturership in educational institutions in subjects of study relating to law;
(j) to grant pecuniary or other assistance to any association, institute, board or society in Malaysia in the interest of the legal profession or of the law students;
(k) to afford pecuniary and other assistance to members or former members of the Malaysian Bar and to the wives, widows, children and other dependants, whether of members, former members or deceased members who are in need of any such assistance;
(l) to promote good relations and social intercourse amongst members and between members and other persons concerned in the administration of law and justice in Malaysia;
(m) to encourage, establish and maintain good relations with professional bodies of the legal profession in other countries and to participate in the activities of any local or international association and become a member thereof; and
(n) to establish a Compensation Fund.

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