By Ling Hui
KUCHING, Sept 7: The Kuching High Court will decide on Sept 15, 2020 the intervener application of a Sarawakian advocate regarding two prominent non-Sarawakians’ requests to practise law in the state.
Chief Justice of Sarawak and Sabah Datuk Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim heard the case made by Sarawakian advocate Voon Lee Shan who is also Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president this morning.
In presenting his case, Voon’s legal counsel Lim Peng Choo argued that he has the locus standi to be included as one of the parties to have a say in the applications of the two non-Sarawakians.
Today’s hearing was held following Voon’s intervener application on August 26 regarding former Chief Justice of Malaysia Tan Sri Richard Malanjum and former Chief Justice of Sarawak and Sabah Tan Sri David Wong Dak Wah who have been rumoured to have intentions to practise law in Sarawak.
Malanjum, who retired from his duties in April, 2019 and Wong in February 2020, are both Sabahans.
Concerning this, Voon expressed his disagreement that it is stated clearly in the law, lawyers outside of Sarawak are not allowed to practise any legal activity in the state unless they could meet the requirements of the law under the Sarawak Advocates Ordinance 1953.
The ordinance states that a person is deemed to have Sarawak connections if they are born in the state, have been a resident there for a continuous period of five years or more, and are domiciled in Sarawak. —DayakDaily
