KUALA LUMPUR – Lawyers have expressed frustration and disappointment after the Malaysian Bar’s extraordinary general meeting (EGM) today was dissolved due to a lack of quorum.
Only 309 of the 24,000 members in Peninsula Malaysia attended, well below the required 500, preventing the meeting from going ahead, according to local media.
Bar Council president Ezri Abdul Wahab voiced his dismay over the low turnout, emphasising the financial resources spent to organise the event.
“We are disappointed as every EGM requires financial resources, and we aimed to address urgent issues on judicial independence,” he was quoted as saying.
Prominent lawyer and human rights activist Siti Kasim voiced her anger on social media, criticising lawyers for their absence.
“SHAME ON ALL LAWYERS WHO DON’T EVEN BOTHER TO TURN UP FOR OUR BAR EGM. YOU GUYS CAN GO AND FLY KITE!! DISGUSTING!” she posted on X.
According to FMT, she also labelled them “lazy” for not showing up despite the Bar’s membership numbering in the thousands.
The EGM had been convened to debate two critical motions on judicial independence. The first motion, titled “Judicial Independence,” was to be presented by Ezri, while the second, calling for the Prime Minister to be held accountable for undermining public confidence in the judiciary, was proposed by lawyers Malik Imtiaz Sarwar and Surendra Ananth.
A third motion on implementing a fair rate of minimum remuneration for pupils had gained significant support, with 190 lawyers seconding it.
Ezri indicated that the Bar Council would continue to push forward on judicial reform through a resolution passed at the May AGM. “We hoped younger lawyers would support the motion on remuneration for pupils, but that was not the case,” Ezri commented.
This is not the first time a Bar meeting has been called off due to low attendance. In 2023, the Bar’s annual general meeting was cancelled after just 276 lawyers showed up, far fewer than the 500 needed to proceed. At the time, Siti Kasim had also condemned the lack of participation, calling the turnout “lazy.”
Bar Council Vice President Anand Raj attempted to downplay the quorum failure, explaining that it did not reflect a lack of trust in the leadership.
“It indicates our actions thus far have been sufficient and align with members’ expectations. Those who attended wanted to contribute, but the majority have entrusted us with a broad mandate,” Anand said, as quoted by the Star.
Despite the setback, the Bar’s efforts to defend judicial independence remain resolute. Following concerns over the imminent retirement of Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, the Bar had hoped to address the swift filling of judicial vacancies and the need for integrity in judicial appointments at the EGM.
On July 14, 1,600 lawyers gathered for a march in defence of the judiciary, highlighting ongoing support for judicial reforms. Key figures such as former Attorney General Tan Sri Tommy Thomas and Siti Kasim joined the rally, reinforcing that the push for a more independent and transparent judiciary remains a crucial issue within the legal community. – July 26, 2025