Law conference to examine 50 years of independence

The Star

PETALING JAYA: A biennial law conference will be organised by the Bar Council in October which will discuss topics including constitutional law, trade and globalisation and Islamic commercial law.

In a statement last Saturday, its organising committee chairman Roger Tan said that the 14th Biennial Malaysian Law Conference would be held from Oct 29 to 31 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, will open the conference and deliver the opening address 50 Years of Constitutionalism and the Rule of Law, a reflection of the conference's theme, 50 Years of Merdeka, to celebrate the country's independence, he said.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is scheduled to give the keynote address while Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz will close the conference.

Among the other subjects to be discussed are local government, housing and land laws, intellectual property law, the criminal justice system, gender issues and freedom of religion.

He said the forum would examine the development of the country's laws after 50 years of independence, reflect on Malaysia's achievements, raise present issues and challenges and generate discussions for the next five decades.

Papers will also be delivered by local and Commonwealth jurists such as Prof Lee Hoong Phun from Monash University, Australia, and Prof Teo Keang Sood from the National University of Singapore.

Iskandar Development Region chief executive officer Datuk Ikhmal Hijaz Hashim will also give a talk.

Conference details can be obtained from Catherine Eu and Syirin Junisya at 03-2031 3003, 03-2034 2071 or fax 03-2032 2043/2034 2825/2072 5948, or e-mail mlc2007@malaysianbar.org.myThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or log on to www.malaysianbar.org.my/mlc.