The Malaysian Bar Council organized an Address by YAM Tunku Zain Al-‘Abidin Ibni Tuanku Muhriz titled, Inspirations from Raja Aziz Addruse: Morality and the Rule of Law at the 3rd Raja Aziz Addruse Memorial Lecture, International Malaysia Law Conference (IMLC) 2014. The Address was held on 24 September 2014 at Royale Chulan, Kuala Lumpur and attended by DYMM Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan, DYMM Tunku Ampuan Besar Negeri Sembilan, both local and foreign judicial authorities such as the Chief Justices of Malaysia and Hong Kong respectively, the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak, Judges of the Federal Court, Court of Appeal and High Court; and Former Chief Justice of Thailand. The Address was also attended by Members of the Parliament and State Assembly Representatives; members of the diplomatic corps; prominent political figures and members of the Bar Council.
In his Address, YAM Tunku Zain mentioned that the late Raja Aziz Addruse is best known for three things; elected thrice to the presidency of the Bar Council; founded Malaysia’s first human rights NGO, i.e. HAKAM and for dealing with profound constitutional issues through his cases, writings and speeches. That said, to YAM, the late Raja Aziz was first a family friend. He recollected the deeds and words of the late Raja Aziz, for example, in rejecting at least four Datukships in his lifetime, the late Raja Aziz said “You don’t need a title to be someone. There are many people without titles who are doing alright. But there are many people just flout their titles to get somewhere. In the end they don’t get very far.” YAM Tunku Zain also spoke about constitutionalism; the late Raja Aziz’s views on constitutionalism and the rule of law; his own background and the establishment of the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS); history of democracy and the political environment today in Malaysia, in which he tried to demonstrate his inspirations from the late Raja Aziz.
IDFR was represented by Ambassador Aminahtun Hj. A. Karim, Deputy Director General and Ms. Lim Hui Chin from the Office of Director General.
Reported by:
Lim Hui Chin
Office of Director General
