Members of the Bar should not be deemed as “certain quarters who are out to create troubleâ€
Media Statement by DAP National Publicity Bureau in Petaling Jaya
Members of the Bar should not be deemed as “certain quarters who are out to create trouble” nor a threat to peace and security.
DAP found the statement by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan a complete lack of judgement.
Lawyers are definitely not above the law, nor is the police. The police should allow the lawyers to fulfil their professional obligations without harassment. Lawyers are not the enemies of police, but of assistance to the police. Their existence is to ensure that the police carry out their duty professionally and proficiently, to ensure accountability in the criminal justice system and for any inappropriate use of power to be corrected on the spot.
Police denying access to clients pursuant to section 28A(8) has been recurring. On top of the basic right to be protected against discrimination, any person who is arrested has the right to inform a third party of their arrest and to demand for free legal advice. These basic rights, coupled with the freedom of lawyers to perform their duties without harassment or intimidation, delineate the cornerstone of our criminal justice system.
DAP condemns, in the strongest terms possible, the arrest of the lawyers when they were upholding their duty. Instead of accusing the lawyers for putting themselves above the law, the IGP should take immediate action against the OCPD who authorised the arrest of five lawyers. Police forces are public authorities, and have the same duties as other public authorities to respect human rights, prevent discrimination and promote equality.
The detention of the 5 Legal Aid Centre (LAC) lawyers makes an absolute mockery of the constitutional right to legal representation and is a gross abuse of power. DAP demands that Home Minister to take immediate and proactive actions in order to stop the abuse being perpetrated by the police.
We demand the following:
- Take immediate disciplinary action against the police officers responsible for the arrest of the lawyers, so that the punishment will serve as a severe warning to others;
- An apology;
- Adopt and comply with the accepted international standards and guidelines when arresting; and
- Establish the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) to prevent abuse of power, and to turn it into a world-class, efficient and incorruptible police force that all Malaysians can trust and be proud of.
TEO NIE CHING
Assistant Secretary of National Publicity Bureau-cum-Serdang MP
民主行动党全国副宣传秘书兼沙登国会议员张念群于2009年5月19日在八打灵再也发表的声明：
律师不应该被视为“某些制造麻烦的人”或是对国家和平与社会安全的威胁。
民主行动党谴责全国总警察长丹斯里慕沙哈山的上述言论对律师是严重欠缺公平的。律师不能凌驾法律，警察也是一样。当警察履行他们的职责时，人民应该给予充分的合作；同样的，警察也应允许律师履行他们的义务。律师不是警方的敌人，他们是在协助向警方。他们的存在是要确保警察能够专业的履行其任务，并当场纠正警方任何超越权限的不检行为。
警方拒绝当事人引用第28A条（ 8 ）的案例屡屡发生。被逮捕时，当事人有权通知他们的亲友他们已被逮捕，以及获取免费法律咨询。这些权力，都是刑事司法制度的重要一环．
民主行动党强烈谴责警方逮捕５名坚守职责的律师．与其指责律师以为自己凌驾法律，总警察长应立即采取行动对付授权拘捕五名律师的警区主任。警察部队是公共机关，具有尊重人权，防止歧视和促进平等的职责。拘留5法律援助中心的律师，绝对是蔑视宪法所赋予的法律代表的权力和滥权的行为。民主行动党要求内政部立即采取积极行动，以制止滥权的警察，包括：
1）立即采取纪律行动对付逮捕律师的警察，以警戒其他滥权的警察。
2）为逮捕５名律师一事道歉。
3）进行逮捕时采用和遵守公认的国际标准和准则。
4）设立投诉警方独立监察和渎职委员会（ IPCMC ） ，以防止滥用权力，并把它变成一个世界级的，高效率和廉洁的警察部队，让所有马来西亚人可以信任和值得骄傲。
张念群
全国副宣传秘书兼沙登国会议员
