Day: January 14, 2017

Abuse case girl torn away from grandaunt

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Source: The Star Online

PETALING JAYA: A crying seven-year-old hung on desperately to a grandaunt who had cared for her for three years as her paternal grandmother, who had been earlier accused of abusing the child, tried to pull her away.

In a strange twist, the grandmother was granted custody of the child in a Sessions Court.

However, the girl refused to go with the older woman and a heart-wrenching 20-minute tussle ensued before the girl was dragged into a car and taken away.

The seven-year-old had been cared for by the grandaunt over the past three years after members of her immediate family were accused of abusing her.

The case came to light in 2013 when the grandaunt (the father’s aunt) lodged a police report against the father and paternal grandparents, claiming the then four-year-old girl had complained to her that she had been sexually abused. Read more →

Bar groups reject PM’s role in judicial appointments

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Source: FMT News

JAC must be absolutely free of executive influence, says Malaysian Bar president.

Malaysian Bar president Steven Thiru – The Malaysian Insider file pic, February 23, 2016.

Malaysian Bar president Steven Thiru – The Malaysian Insider file pic, February 23, 2016.

PUTRAJAYA: The three bar associations in Malaysia have declared that they reject the current practice of giving the prime minister a say in the appointment and promotion of judges, according to Malaysian Bar president Steven Thiru.

In a speech at the ceremonial opening of the new legal year, Thiru said the Malaysian Bar, the Sabah Law Association and the Advocates’ Association of Sarawak were in fact in agreement that the executive branch of government should have no part at all in the process.

He said the present system placed inordinate powers in the hands of the prime minister, who could veto without justification the recommendations of the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC).

“While the executive is entitled to express its views, the final recommendation to the Conference of Rulers should emanate only from the JAC,” he added.

He said the exclusion of the prime minister from the process would remove any concern that appointments and promotions were prejudiced and candidates were rejected because they were not favoured by the executive. Read more →

Majlis Peguam gesa percepat pindaan akta tukar agama anak

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Sumber: FMT News

Steven Thiru berkata, kerajaan juga perlu menyeragamkan undang-undang Islam di semua negeri yang memperuntukkan kedudukan bertentangan.

Malaysian Bar president Steven Thiru. Pic taken from FMT News.

Malaysian Bar president Steven Thiru. Pic taken from FMT News.

PUTRAJAYA: Majlis Peguam Malaysia mengalu-alukan pembentangan pindaan terhadap Akta Membaharui Undang-undang (Perkahwinan dan Perceraian) 1976, November lalu, bagi menangani isu penukaran agama kanak-kanak kepada Islam secara sebelah pihak atau unilateral.

Justeru, majlis itu menggesa kerajaan mempercepatkan cadangan pindaan tersebut.

Presidennya, Steven Thiru berkata, cadangan pindaan itu akan memastikan kanak-kanak berkenaan kekal dalam agama ibu bapanya pada waktu perkahwinan mereka, sebelum salah seorang pasangan itu memeluk Islam.

Di samping mempercepatkan pindaan itu, kerajaan juga perlu bergerak ke arah menyeragamkan undang-undang Islam di semua negeri yang memperuntukkan kedudukan bertentangan, katanya pada majlis perasmian istiadat badan kehakiman sempena Tahun Undang-undang 2017 semalam.

Ketika cadangan pindaan akta tersebut belum muktamad, katanya, badan perundangan negeri perlu mengelak mengubal undang-undang yang membenarkan penukaran agama secara sebelah pihak. Read more →