KUALA LUMPUR: The late former Federal Court judge and senior deputy public prosecutor Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram will be remembered as a legal giant and a maverick.
The memories and contributions of Sri Ram, who died at age 79 on Jan 29 last year, was honoured in a reference proceedings held at the Kuala Lumpur High Court today.
Present at the reference was Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat.
Attorney General (AG) Datuk Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh said Sri Ram's death left a vacuum and he will be cherished for his dedication to justice, courage and tenacity.
He said Sri Ram's relentless attention to detail and no nonsense approach made him a highly regarded and respected figure in the judiciary and legal fraternity.
"We mourn the passing of an outstanding legal stalwart and the life long champion on the rule of law," said Terrirudin.
He said they are proud that Sri Ram's last public service was as a senior deputy public prosecutor.
He said Sri Ram left the bench as a federal court judge in February 2010 and continued his active practice at the Bar and conducted some high profile cases.
"In 2018, Sri Ram was appointed as a senior deputy public prosecutor by the then A-G to lead the prosecution in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd case. (1MDB)
"Nevertheless, he did not manage to complete the 1MDB case due to his untimely demise," he said as the prosecution closed their case in May this year.
Terrirudin described Sri Ram as an accomplished legal practitioner all his life from the time he was called to the Bar in 1970.
"He was regarded as a maverick among fellow legal practitioners. As all of us can remember, he was the only judge elevated directly to the Court of Appeal (CoA) from the Bar in 1994.
"My officers remember Sri Ram's quick wit and sharp tongue but he was never condescending and demeaning and blessed with an elephant memory.
"Whether we were standing on the same side or opposing, he treated us with the same respect," he said.
Malaysian Bar president Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab said Sri Ram's elevation from legal practice to the CoA judge spoke volumes of his ability.
"Those who had the privilege of witnessing his legal craft in and out of the court room described him as a champion in all areas of the law.
"His silver tongue and masterful cross examination of witnesses were a thing to behold.
"His name will persist as an emblem of excellence and integrity in the relentless pursuit of justice," he said.
Presiding judge Datuk Ahmad Kamal Md Shahid said Sri Ram had written 800 judgements and lighted the way for the judiciary.
The judge said he would emulate Sri Ram, whose sharp focus had helped saved a lot of judicial time by directing lawyers to the heart of the matter and dwelling only on relevant points.
He said he had read the news of Sri Ram's family's donation of his collection of books, journals and law reports estimated at RM9 million to Universiti Malaya's (UM) Faculty of Law.
"This collection is not only useful for law students and practitioners but also those who need to do legal research.
"To me, he was a national treasure.That is his gift and that is very hard to come by," he said.
Also present at the reference was Sri Ram's wife, Datin Seri Chandra Sri Ram.
Two other late High Court judges, Datuk Wan Yahya Pawan Teh and Tan Sri Visu Sinnadurai were also honoured at the reference.
Ahmad Kamal said Wan Yahya was the Selangor state legal advisor from 1974 to 1977 when charges were brought against former Menteri Besar Datuk Harun Idris in November 1975.
"One can never imagine the hardships he endured at that time to maintain his neutrality and independence when advising on conflicting legal opinions."
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