KUCHING: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law), Datuk Liew Vui Keong said yesterday he would bring up to the Federal Cabinet the requests of the legal fraternity in Sarawak.
Speaking at a press conference after meeting members of the legal fraternity of Sarawak at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar, Jalan Simpang Tiga here yesterday, Liew said during the meeting, they had discussed various legal issues in Sarawak.
“There were also many requests by the lawyers on a number of laws that needed to be amended. So it was a very fruitful meeting that I had with the lawyers here and I am very happy that I had the opportunity to hear what they had to say.
“ I think there are many requests that they make to amend some of the laws, especially laws like the Civil Law Acts, on the Malaysia Agreement, and they had given their views and, of course, the important one is also on the appointment of judges under the Judicial Appointment Act. These are the laws that they are very concerned and I will bring up the various issues to the Ministry and also to the Cabinet to look into,” Liew said.
Asked about the request on the appointment of judges, he explained: “They just want the representatives from the Advocates Association Sarawak, Sabah Law Society and also the Bar Council, namely, the presidents, to be in the Judicial Appointment Committee.
“Since the Judicial Appointment Committee in itself is a statutory act, we will need to amend that particular Act to include these three fellows from these bodies. So that is good because they want to be inclusive,” he said.
He added: “ After listening to them, I think there is some justification in what they say.”
