[This Long Call speech was delivered on 14th July 2023 before Yang Arif Dato’ Amarjeet Singh a/l Serjit Singh]
Introduction
It is my great pleasure to introduce to Petitioner, Ms Umy Marshita Binti Mohamed Azhar.
The Petitioner was born on 26th October 1999. She is the 2nd child of her parents, Encik Mohamed Azhar & Dr Nurashikin – who are here with us today. The Petitioner was raised & spent her early years in Shah Alam, Selangor.
The Petitioner then proceeded to read law at the International Islamic University of Malaysia (“IIUM”). By all measures, the Petitioner was an exceptional law student. She graduated with a First Class Honours from IIUM.
The Petitioner then went on to complete her pupillage at Skrine under the tutelage of Ms Preetha Pillai, an eminent litigator who needs no introduction.
3 Reasons Why The Petitioner Would Be An Excellent Lawyer
My Lord, beyond her academic achievements, there are at least 3 reasons why I believe the Petitioner would be an excellent lawyer and a valuable addition to the legal profession.
First, the Petitioner was an accomplished debater in the field of competitive intervarsity debating. She was, amongst others, Champion of the Australasians Debating Championship (ESL Category), the 7th Best Speaker at the Oxford Women’s Debate Open hosted by the Oxford Union, had represented IIUM in the Worlds Universities Debating Championship in Bangkok as well as the Oxford & Cambridge Intervarsity Championships in 2019 & was the Champion and Overall Best Speaker of the Malaysian Royals Intervarsities Debating Championship.
As a former competitive intervarsity debater myself, although nowhere as accomplished as the Petitioner, I know full well how daunting, challenging but nonetheless positively life-changing this sport can be. You are – from day one – thrown to the deep end. Pushed to think lighting fast on your feet. To understand the value of teamwork. Trained in the art of listening to the other side’s arguments (something which even some lawyers today lack). To whittle down complicated arguments to its essence. To persevere through painful defeats & all sorts of discrimination coming from the third world. To bounce back time & time again. And finally when you are able to stand shoulder-to-shoulder & defeat the best universities in the world like Harvard, Oxford or Cambridge – which is not unusual for Malaysian students by the way, My Lord – you will muster a confidence within you that is lifelong & will bring you far in life. I have no doubt the Petitioner has these qualities within her, My Lord.
Second, from my interaction with her, I can tell that the Petitioner is also a firm believer that the law must be used to affect positive change in society. She is a strong advocate for human rights and animal welfare, and has voiced out publicly about these issues before.
My Lord, many people will view with some cynicism idealistic notions like human rights, justice & social change which fresh graduates hold on to, and assume that the rigours of practice will eventually bring them down to earth & reality, as it were. But I don’t necessarily view it that way. I believe it is good that fresh graduates & junior lawyers, like the Petitioner, have that fire of idealism flickering within them. It is the legal profession & the more senior of lawyers who must encourage they continue to carry on this torch throughout their practice. And, of course, juniors themselves must be steadfast in the same manner, by contributing in pro bono cases if they are still practicing or in any other way to society if they are not. The legal profession has always been one that transcends beyond profit margins, and has a key role in shaping society for the better. I believe the Petitioner has her heart in the right place & will do her best in this regard.
Third, the Petitioner is an avid lover of music, and I am told comes from a musical family. I think it’s critical for lawyers & modern professionals nowadays – who are often overworked – to have an outlet to be creative, destress, inspired & to be recharged. The philosopher Plato said “Music is a moral law. It gives a soul to the Universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, a charm to sadness, gaiety and life to everything. It is the essence of order, and leads to all that is good and just and beautiful.” Plato knew that great music can instil amazing life lessons. For example, the Petitioner’s favourite artist, Taylor Swift, has a song named “Shake It Off”. Essentially to “shake it off” means to stay true to ourselves, despite the challenges and criticisms that may come our way. Similarly, as junior lawyers, one must have that iron will to shake off the fear of failure & any obstacles that will put us down – and continue to strive, which I believe the Petitioner will do.
Who The Petitioner Wishes To Thank
The Petitioner seeks this opportunity to record her appreciation to all the members of her family, particularly her parents, Dr Nurashikin and Encik Mohamed Azhar who emotionally and financially supported her journey throughout law school and pupillage. She also wishes to thank her wonderful siblings, Puteri Maisara and Mohamed Hidayat. The Petitioner wishes to express that she is lucky to have parents who constantly believe in her.
The Petitioner wishes to thank her Pupil-Master, Ms Preetha Pillai, who had given the Petitioner ample opportunity to learn about various areas of law and exposed the Petitioner to memorable trial experiences. The Petitioner wishes to say that her Master inspires her everyday with her mind and legal prowess.
The Petitioner wishes to thank her Professors, Prof. Ida Madieha and Prof. Norhashimah, for their tireless teachings in IIUM. They taught the Petitioner that working hard and being diligent is the key to success.
The Petitioner expresses her gratitude to her life-long friend and companion, Amshar Aziz, for encouraging her to pursue law and providing his unconditional emotional support.
She also wishes to thank her friends, Iman, Aishah, Alyssa, Wardia, Hema, her 22 Pupil-Mates, and the Associates at Skrine for providing the Petitioner so much kindness throughout her journey to become a lawyer.
Finally, the Petitioner thanks God for all of His countless blessings, for without having faith, she would not have boundless opportunities ahead of her.
Conclusion
My Lord, given the above, I verily believe that the Petitioner is a fit and proper person to be admitted and enrolled as an Advocate and Solicitor.
I believe all the papers are in order, and there are no objections from the Attorney General’s Chambers, Bar Council of Malaysia & the Kuala Lumpur Bar Committee.
Counsel representing the AGC: No objections
Counsel representing the Bar Council of Malaysia: No objections
Counsel representing the Kuala Lumpur Bar Committee: My Lord, save for the fact that I believe Lady Gaga is the better singer, I have no objections.
I beg to differ with my learned friend on Lady Gaga. My Lord, in the circumstance, I pray that the petitioner be admitted and enrolled as an Advocate and Solicitor.
I hereby seek this Honourable Court’s leave for the Petitioner’s pupil-master to robe the Petitioner.
[Speech has been edited for brevity & may not entirely be in verbatim]
