By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, Jan 6: Some 500 lawyers and judicial officers from Sabah and Sarawak are expected to turn up for a procession to commemorate the opening of the legal year here on Jan 17.
Advocates Association of Sarawak (AAS) Kuching branch’s chairman Desmond Sahathevan said the procession to mark the legal year 2020, with the theme “Justice and Beyond”, will start from the Sarawak Legislative Assembly complex to the nearby Kuching Court Complex.
This will be followed by a court ceremony.
“We are hopeful that we can get about 400 to 500 lawyers to attend, from both Sabah and Sarawak.
“Last year, we have about 400 in Kota Kinabalu and hopefully the same for this year,” he told the media after a courtesy call on Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here today.
Sahathevan explained that the purpose of the courtesy call was to invite Abang Johari to attend the Gala Dinner for the Legal Year on Jan 17.
He added that the association has also invited the Chief Justice of Malaysia Tan Sri Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, Chief Justice of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri David Wong Dak Wah, Federal Court judges, Court of Appeal judges and all judicial officers to attend the event.
Sahathevan said the legal year ceremony was for lawyers, judges and members of the legal profession to renew their commitment and to uphold their professionalism.
The association has also invited foreign bars and other legal professions to join them for the event, he added.
Sahathevan said before the legal year celebration, there will be a legal colloquium on Jan 16 organised by the United Nations Development Programme.
The association has about 600 members including 500 lawyers in Kuching.
AAS Kuching branch’s vice chairman Liew Tang Chieh, secretary Benny Zaidy Jalil, treasurer Nicholas Wung, committee members Louis Ng and Dayangku Sa’adiah Awang Hipni were present at the courtesy call. — DayakDaily
