KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 3): Former Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Azahar Mohamed and former Federal Court judge Datuk Seri Mohd Zawawi Salleh were on Thursday (Nov 3) accepted as advocates and solicitors of the High Court of Malaya.
Both the superior court judges were called to the Bar before High Court judge Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh, who said that papers for both of the retired judges — the petitioners — were in order, and they are fit and proper persons under the Legal Professional Act 1976 for admission to the Bar.
Saying a few words during the long call ceremony, Wan Ahmad labelled both of the former judges as "larger-than-life figures" and "vintage cars", who had achieved "greater mileage" than him and most of those present in the court.
"On occasions like this, I would usually impart words of wisdom to those who have been admitted to the Bar. I would ponder how best to advise them on their impending journeys as lawyers. But I find it difficult on this occasion. How do I give words of wisdom to [the former judges], who are far wiser and more experienced than I am? How do you lecture those who you consider your mentors?
"I came to the inevitable conclusion that you don't. You acknowledge them. They both have achieved far greater mileage than me and most of us here in this courtroom. If they were cars, they would be vintage cars. You don't race against vintage cars...in short, it is simply a sight that fills us with awe and reverence," he said.
The High Court judge said that both of the former judges had delivered "impeccable and landmark" judgements that would withstand the test of time, which would be referred to "for many, many years".
He, however, did briefly impart a few words on how to manage clients, which he said is not taught in law school but a skill honed through experience.
Last year, Mohd Zawawi temporarily assumed the duties of the Chief Judge of Malaya, while Azahar was said to be hospitalised due to Covid-19.
More recently, both of the senior judges were part of a five-person panel that rejected former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's bid to adduce fresh evidence in his RM42 million SRC International Sdn Bhd case in March this year.
SRC is a former subsidiary of scandal-ridden 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
Both former judges have over 40 years of experience in judiciary, legal services
Azahar, 66, was the Chief Justice of Malaya from August 2019, and retired last month.
He graduated with a Bachelors of Law from University of Malaya, and obtained his Masters in Law from London School of Economics. He has served in the Judiciary and legal services for over 40 years.
His son Azmi Azahar was the proposer for the petitioner, and also the one who donned the robe on his father.
Interestingly, Azahar was also part of the prosecution team in former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's Sodomy 1 and abuse of power trial in 1998.
Mohd Zawawi, also 66, was elevated to the apex court in 2018, and retired in June this year.
He graduated with a Bachelors of Law from University of Malaya, and obtained a Masters in Law from Bristol University. He has also served many positions in the Judiciary and legal services for over 40 years.
Former Bar president and lawyer Salim Bashir Bhaskaran was the proposer for Mohd Zawawi. The former senior judge was robed by Datuk Salehuddin Saidin.
Attorney General Tan Sri Idrus Harun was present at Thursday's ceremony, along with Suzana Atan, who is the head of the civil division of the Attorney General's Chambers. Also present were Malaysian Bar president Karen Cheah, and Weera Premananda from the Selangor Bar.
All three parties had no objections to the admission of the former judges to the Bar.
'A privilege to have the former judges in Bar'
The parties also gave brief speeches after the proposers' separate statements.
On Azahar, Idrus said that the former judge's unwavering commitment to justice "flowed from his pen and his heart".
"He has considerably been one of the apex court's heavyweights," Idrus said, adding that Azahar had penned landmark judgements in, among others, constitutional law, land law and company law.
He also said the Bar would be enriched by Azahar's admission.
On Mohd Zawawi, Idrus said the former judge in his retirement speech had said that it was never his plan in life to be a lawyer or a judge.
"I hope he is not offended to hear that I am pleased that his life didn't go according to plan, as he is a valuable asset to the legal world," Idrus said.
Mohd Zawawi, he said, has made erudite observations in criminal law, constitutional law and Islamic banking.
Cheah, meanwhile, said that it is a great privilege to have the former judges in the Bar.